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The American EV brand has launched its second SUV, the mid-sized Model Y, that, despite sitting beneath the Model X, will be a seven seater.

It will be available with four different battery packs – Standard Range, Long Range, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive and Performance variants. The standard battery will have a range of 230-miles, but that figure swells to 300 with the long range version, and the peppiest power pack can hit 60mph in 3.5seconds and head on to 150mph.

Total stowage, including the front trunk and with the second row of seats folded down, comes in at 1,900 litres, and like the Model 3 hatch, the Y is compatible with compatible with Tesla superchargers and the new V3 superchargers – which can charge up to 1,000 miles per hour. Rather than keys, again like the 3 it connects to a smartphone not only to unlock it but for several other controls.

There’s no details of when the Model Y will come to Europe, and given the delays in Model 3 production it’s tricky to predict, but all but Standard Range models are expected by next autumn, with the entry $39,000 Standard Range Model Y coming later in spring of 2021.

At the Geneva Motor Show this morning, Subaru revealed their all-new e-Boxer XV and Forester models.

Subarus have always been made to a set few criteria – to be safe, fun and tough – whether that be a snarling blue saloon with gold wheels or their ever-dependable SUVs. But with this announcement, they are bringing their first electrified models to the market.

Combining a 2.0-litre diesel boxer engine, a trademark unit that has been specifically tuned for each model, with an electric motor assisting the Lineartronic gearbox and a rear mounted lithium ion battery, the new powertrain has been engineered to maintain the superb safety scores of Subaru’s Global Platform whilst also improving efficiency.

In city driving situations, the e-Boxer uses 11% less fuel than its 2.0-litre petrol stablemate, and it can be used in a full EV mode at certain times. The system is a mild-hybrid setup, that will assist the engine using electric power in tougher situations, and also takes the opportunity to recharge where possible.

The electric aspects also increase acceleration response, and the fact that the engine isn’t working alone means that it is quieter, too.

The new powertrain also protects the ride quality of the existing models, and having driven it ourselves at an exclusive preview, we can confirm that the electrified powertrain only enhances the ride of both XV and Forester models.

The additions included in the e-Boxer upgrades only see 25kg added to the overall weight of the both the XV and Forester, and the mild hybrid models also match the luggage capacities of standard models, weigh just 1,100kgs more and can also to 1,270kg – just 130kg below the best full combustion models.

In the development of the e-Boxer, Subaru consulted their loyal customer base and ascertained that a full hybrid was not what their clientele wanted at the time. Their long-term plan, however, is to go straight from mild-hybrid to full-electric vehicles as the market demands.

The new e-Boxer models feature the same X-Mode as all of the latest Subaru 4x4s, and in our brief but exclusive preview, the battery enhanced powertrain was impressive off-road and retained usability and comfort on the road.

Safety features are also at the forefront of the e-Boxer models, with not only the ever attentive and protective Eye Sight system installed, but other features like automatic reverse braking and facial recognition enhancing the driving experience. Once the facial recognition system is initialised, the car will recognise the driver and align the driving position to his or her pre-set position.

The e-Boxer models can be expected in the UK later this year, and pricing and UK relevant specs should be expected in due course.

Ahead of making its full debut at the Geneva Motor Show, SsangYong have teased us with a first look at their new, fourth-generation Korando.

Whilst full details haven’t been disclosed, we do know that the new model has been redesigned – and to good effect to our eyes. The headliners of the new look are the headlights and the new grille, which give the little SUV a look of purpose.

SsangYong have paired this with a refined interior and added enhanced driver assistance, safety systems and mobile connectivity. Seating will be four-way adjustable, and there will be a 9″ infotainment screen and a 10.25″ full colour LCD cluster that can also accommodate navigation instructions.

Powering the new model will be a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol and an update on the 1.6 diesel equivalent at launch – with an EV to follow.

Further details will become apparent after the big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show.

Chief among the updates to Volvo’s range-topping SUV is an energy recovery system, that works with the existing combustion units and will wear the new ‘B’ badging.

The flagship XC90 can offer an 15% increase in fuel frugality and emission reductions, and the new brake-by-wire system works in conjunction with the energy-recovery system.

These new powertrains join the T8 twin-engine PHEV version of the XC90, which is subtly refreshed on the exterior, with new alloys, exterior colours and an updated grille at the forefront of the updates.

Safety features include blind spot information system, automatic city braking that recognises pedestrians, cyclists and large animals. So drivers will be helping save the polar bears in more ways than one… Oncoming lane mitigation still remains, having been introduced on the XC60, and the cross traffic alert technology also now works with the autobrake function.

The XC90 is also now compatible with Android Auto, joining Apple CarPlay, and the Sensus infotainment system also integrates Spotify in places throughout the XC90 range.

The 2020 model year version will enter production in Sweden this May, with UK orders opening in mid-March. Full pricing will come in due course, with first deliveries anticipated to be late in Q2 of this year.

Jeep have let loose the pricing for the new JL Wrangler that will be hitting the UK showrooms this year.

The range starts at £44,865 for a two-door Sahara Wrangler with a 2.2-litre MultiJet II diesel, worthy of 200bhp and fitted, of course, with four-wheel drive as standard. The petrol equivalent incorporates the new 2.0-litre 272bhp GME unit, and has the same starting price as the diesel.

For an extra £1,500 you can upgrade the petrol Sahara to a four-door, but the more practical diesel is £500 dearer still.

Overland models cost £46,865 or £48,365 for two or four door models, regardless of which engine they use, and the same goes for the Rubicon variants.

All Wrangler models will be available with Jeeps 5-3-5 warranty, servicing and roadside assistance initiative.

Jeep have also recently announced that they will be making a pick-up variant of the JL, called the Gladiator, which we can expect to arrive by next year.

Land Rover have introduced a new variation of the Range Rover Sport – the HST – which features a new, 400bhp petrol V6.

The unit is helped by a mild hybrid system, that includes a 48-volt supercharger system that reduces turbo lag but can pair impressive performance with 30.5mpg – which isn’t bad for a fast Rangey.

The 3.0-litre Ingenium unit is paired to an electric motor that harnesses energy during deceleration and stores it in the 48-volt battery, to then be re-used through torque assist and reduce the CO2 emissions of the engine by reducing its workload.

Other features include start-stop functionality, to reduce emissions in heavier traffic, whilst the special edition HST model also has bespoke badging and carbon fibre trim on its bonnet. Like many recent Land Rover special editions, the colours on offer are Santorini Black, Fuji White, Indus Silver, Firenze Red and Carpathian Grey.

Inside, there is a new colour pattern featuring suedecloth and HST badging. The new edition also features JLR’s safety features, which include advanced cruise control and high-speed emergency braking. There is also, of course, the latest version of the Terrain Response four-wheel drive system.

On the market now, the HST pricing begins at £81,250 on the road.

The Range Rover Velar has turned heads and won awards for being achingly pretty and smartly suave. But that’s changed a little bit with the introduction of the new SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, that comes with five-litres V8 beneath the sleek bonnet.

That big supercharged heart beats out 542bhp and propels the Velar from stationary to sixty in 4.3-seconds and will reach its terminal velocity at 170mph. To cope with the uncouth power, the Velar has been equipped with uprated brakes and suspension, alongside bespoke calibration for everything from the powertrain to the safety systems, to marry up the injection of the performance with the smooth and cosseting ride synonymous with the Range Rover nameplate. There is also a transmission tunnel undertray to improve aerodynamics of the vehicle.

A project brought to fruition by the JLR SVO team, there are several visual clues that distinguish the Dynamic Edition from its siblings – just in case the V8 soundtrack gets missed. These include a revised front bumper with bigger air intakes to cool the braking system along with feeding the engine. A new grille and lower side mouldings add distinction to the Velar and the rear bumper has been revised to accommodate the rather sizeable quad exhaust pipes. On that topic, the custom sports exhaust system is 7.1kg lighter than the standard pipes.

At each corner of the Dynamic Edition you’ll find lightweight 21-inch alloys, with those at the front paired with 395mm brake discs and the rears a mm larger. The calipers are four-piston variants at the front and sliding calipers at the rear, all of which are painted red and are emblazoned with the words ‘LAND ROVER‘.

Interior enhancements have also been bestowed upon the Dynamic Edition, as it is still a SVAutobiography model, and must behave as so. There’s no centre tape on the steering wheel, nor carbon fibre bucket seats. Twin-stitched quilted Windsor leather adorns the seating – which in the front is 20-way adjustable and both heated and cooled – a textile unique to this model. The colour options for the leather are Ebony, Cirrus, Vintage Tan and Pimento. Oh, they also have massage functionality as standard.

Drivers will steer the vessel with a unique sports steering wheel, which has a contoured rim and aluminium shift paddles. An optional carbon fibre pack will add sporty snippets of the lightweight material.

Available in six exterior colours (Firenze Red, Santorini Black, Corris Grey, Fuji White, Indus Silver and by special order Satin Byron Blue), all of which come with a contrasting black roof as standard.

The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition Velar costs from £86,120 on the road in the UK – and will only be on sale for a single year.

Skoda have confirmed that their small SUV, that will sit below the Karoq, will be called the Kamiq.

The Kamiq will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and takes its name from a model already used by Skoda in China. The word Kamiq is derived from Inuit used in Canada and Greenland, and refers to something that fits as well as a second skin. But more importantly, it begins with a K and ends in a Q, so it fits the Czech brand’s SUV naming convention.

In one package, the Kamiq will aim to be both a lifestyle SUV as well as a handy city car. It will feature safety and assistance systems afforded by the Skoda platform and will have classic Simply Clever features like the rest of its family.

More details will be revealed after it debuts in Geneva in March.

The updated Ford Ranger has been revealed, with refreshed engines, improved connectivity and driver aids introduced to the range alongside a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Ford have given the Ranger a trio of 2.0-litre EcoBlue, four-cylinder diesel units. There are two single turbo variations, producing either 130bhp and 251lbf.ft or 170bhp and 310lbf.ft, with the units capable of 35.3 and 34mpg respectively. The range-topper features both a variable-geometry high-pressure and a low-pressure fixed geometry turbo, which results in figures of 213bhp, 369lbf.ft and can cover 30.7 miles on a gallon.

Some clever features have been engineered into the engine to reduce friction within the unit, such as a 10mm offset crank design that reduces chafing against the cylinder walls of the iron block. The valve-train has been optimised and features a single-piece camshaft module.

As well as a six-speed manual transmission, Ford are offering the 10-speed automatic ‘box from the irrepressible F-150 truck. You know, the one that is driven by nigh on all Americans… It sounds like overkill, but the extra notches are designed to give the Ranger more adaptability, as real-time adaptive-shift scheduling alters the transmission depending on the situation. This means it’ll behave differently when you’re towing a trailer to when you’re dropping the little ‘uns off at school.

An on-board modem enables the Ranger to function as a Wi-Fi hotspot, and the FordPass mobile app makes it easy for the driver to keep on top of vehicular status. Oil level, tyre pressure and mileage can be checked remotely, whilst there is also a vehicle locator for those who are either forgetful or victimised and it is also possible to toggle the vehicle’s central locking from the app.

The third version of Ford’s Sync multimedia system can be voice activated or by using the 8-inch touchscreen and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled. The Ford MyKey system allows fleet managers to limit the driver’s speed and radio volume, plus it can permanently switch on all of the Ranger’s safety features.

Those safety features include pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection and intelligent speed-limiter as standard. The latter of these monitors road signs, and if the speed limit is lower than the set speed of the adaptive cruise control, it will slow down and then speed back up again in line with the speed limit. The 2019 Ranger also features lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors both front and rear, a rear view camera and electronic stability control that features both rollover mitigation and trailer sway management.

On the updated version, both Wildtrak and Limited spec will include a new easy-lift tailgate with a torsion bar that increases the ease of closing it back up.

There is no word on pricing as of yet, but the updated one-tonner will be arriving in mid-2019.

It’s one of the few true off-roaders still in production, and with the latest diesel version, there’s a new entry price for the Mercedes G-Class.

The 3.0-litre six-pot boasts a power haul of 286bhp and 443lbf.ft. It’s the punchiest diesel-runner to ever be fitted beneath the enigmatic squared bonnet. This equates to a 0-62 time of 7.4 seconds and the German Goliath reaches terminal velocity at 124mph and on a combined cycle could return up to 29.4mpg.

Standard alloys are 20-inchers, and LED headlights and so are a whole host of features such as leather seating that is electronically adjustable and heated front and back, 12.3-inch cockpit display, AMG styling cues, plus the driver assistance package including blind spot assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane assist and automatic tri-zone climate control.

Option packages on offer include the Premium package, the Night package and the Winter package. The Premium package adds an intelligent multi-beam light system, adaptive air suspension, Burmester sound system, interior air ionisation, 64-way ambient lighting, sliding sunroof and a parking package with a 360˚ camera.

The Night package adds black coloured alloys, darkened indicators and tail lights, black radiator grille, exterior mirrors, darkened glass and a black spare wheel ring.

Adding the Winter package installs a heated windscreen and a remote controlled auxiliary heater. For those in the back, there’s a Rear Seat Entertainment package that adds two 10-inch touchscreens that work with a digital TV tuner, integrated media player and internet access.

The base G350d, without adding any of the several thousands of additional packs, starts at £94,000 on the road. That’s a steal, given that the only other G-Class currently on the market is the G63 at an eye-watering £143,305 OTR.

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