New Car: 2011 Range Rover Evoque

This is the 2011 Range Rover Evoque, which was unveiled following an exclusive preview in London for 300 guests attending a 40th birthday celebration of Range Rover held in partnership with Vogue magazine. The guests included model Erin O'Connor and television presenter Gabby Logan, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Zara Phillips.

The Evoque will go on sale next Summer once it has bowed at the Paris motorshow on the 30th October. While Land Rover had remained tight-lipped about more details, we know the Range Rover will come in 2WD & 4WD and is the lightest, smallest and most frugal SUV in the firm’s line-up. The greenest Evoque will emit no more than 130g/km of CO2. 'The two-wheel-drive option will give customers the chance to benefit from lower entry-level pricing, plus CO2 and fuel-economy efficiencies,' said Popham. However, Land Rover has ditched its plans for a hybrid variant of the Evoque. Land Rover is working on hybrid systems and its first model to receive the system will be the next Range Rover in 2013.

The Evoque stays accurate to the LRX concept that was first shown two years ago. According to Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern, it is 'a modern and relevant execution of the familiar Range Rover design'.

Land Rover’s managing director, Phil Popham, said, ‘Customers can be confident that the new car will be premium, luxurious and just as special as the other Range Rover models. Its sporting looks and unique qualities will open the brand to a new group of customers who might not have considered a Range Rover before.’

Although no outsiders of Land Rover know what the car looked like before its launch, regardless of what it would cost, Land Rover says it has already taken deposits from buyers, and that it has received around 20,000 'expressions of interest' in the Evoque.

No interior photos have been revealed yet, but potential customers can expect the kind of premium and luxurious materials already found in other Range Rover models, according to the firm. Former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham is now a creative design executive, and will be designing the interior of the Evoque. She described the new Range Rover as 'absolutely stunning' and that the chance to join forces on the design was 'an incredible opportunity'.

Land Rover and Range Rover design director Gerry McGovern said of Victoria Beckham: 'She knows a lot about fashion and a lot about trends, a lot about luxury products. I believe this appointment adds a new dimension to my design team as we continue to design products to appeal to a wider audience.'

"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque will be built at our multi-award winning plant in Halewood, creating 1,000 new jobs in the Merseyside area, a fantastic boost to the UK economy. The Halewood plant has a reputation for excellence and quality and is recognised throughout the industry as a leader in Lean Manufacturing.

"The all-new Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a true global car and will be sold in over 160 countries. It was important to give the car a name that was instantly recognisable through language and cultural boundaries throughout the world. We wanted to create a new name which was innovative and different. A name which implies exclusivity and arouses emotions. Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is cosmopolitan and cross-continental, sophisticated and matches the car's urban elegance," he added.

Prices are expected to start at £35,000 for the 2WD and £40,000 for the 4WD. This would mean that the Evoque is at least £10,000 cheaper than the larger Range Rover Sport. While the Evoque is classed as a coupe, a more practical 5dr will join the range at a later date.

 
 
 
 
 

Photo Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Touran

New for 2011 is the facelifted Touran compact MPV. The Touran made its public debut at the Leipzig motor show back in April. After selling more than 1.13m units across the world and dominating nearly 50% market share (in its segment) in Germany, the Touran ranks among the top five in its class in Europe.

The facelift consists of a restyled grill, bigger front body-coloured bumper and a set of new headlights, all of which echo the Golf Mk6. At the rear, the Touran now gets LED tail-lights as well as a new spoiler for better aerodynamics.

Internally, major changes start with the new multi-function steering wheel, improve cabin materials with more use of chrome and enhanced front-seat headrests, all of which are also borrowed of the Golf Mk6.

Under the hood on the petrol side is VW's new-developed 1.2 litre TSI with 105bhp and 175Nm (129lb/ft) of torque. Combined fuel economy is rated at 44.1mpg (6.4l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 149g/km. In Bluemotion form, 47.8mpg (5.9l/100km) combined can be achieved, with CO2 emissions of 139g/km. The 1.2 TSI will feature alongside the previous 138bhp and 168bhp 1.4 litre engines.

On the diesel end, the arrangement stays the same with two 1.6 litre engines with 89bhp (90PS) and 104bhp (105PS) and two 2.0 litre TDI diesels with 138bhp (140PS) and 168bhp (170PS). The 1.6 TDI CR 90PS engine will return 55.3mpg (5.1/100km) combined. The Touran Bluemotion uses a 1.6 TDI CR 104bhp engine and has a combined fuel economy of 61.4mpg (4.6l/100km), while emitting 121g/km of CO2. The 2.0 TDI CR 170bhp is mated to a 7 speed DSG gearbox, while it’s optional on other engines, which gets a standard 6 speed manual.

A new feature added to the Touran is VW's Dynamic Light Assist, which helps control the headlamps' lighting so it doesn’t dazzle oncoming vehicles, while not compromising visibility for the driver. Standard features vary with each trim-level but include air-conditioning, radio/CD with MP3, x4 electric windows, light & rain sensors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, chrome interior trim, black roof rails, multi-function leather steering wheel, 16” alloy wheels, front fog lamps, multi-function colour display and Alcantara interior.

Optional features consist of adaptive bi-xenon headlamps, metallic paint, panoramic glass sunroof, rear-view camera, RNS 315 touch-screen satellite navigation system and DCC dynamic chassis control.

The VW Touran will also see its price rise to £17,000 (€19,367) from £15,800 (€18,000) when it goes on sale during August in Germany, Autumn for rest of Europe.

 
 

Transport expenditure cuts may cost lives (UK)

Road safety organisation, Brake has advised that the Chancellor's 25% slash in transport expenditure and safety funding could produce more road casualties and cost extra money.

The charity says that axing 25% of Government spending by 2014, along with instant cuts of nearly £40m in safety grants, is a 'concern for the future of life-saving road safety measures'.

'Brake believes that the cuts could contribute to a rise in casualties and costs to the emergency services, which would make such cutbacks a false economy.'

The Government's wide-range spending review in October will feature where cuts will come.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Suzuki Swift

This is the all-new 2011 Suzuki Swift which goes on sale in the UK during Autumn 2010. Now in its 3rd generation, the 2011 Swift is built at the production facility at Esztergom, in Hungary.

A smoother, more up-to-date dash for the 2011 Suzuki Swift incorporates in retractable screen, climate control, Bluetooth and a USB port. The new car will be available as a 3dr & 5dr model, will have more ventilation outlets than the preceding model, as well as keyless go and a collection of revised sports cloth for the interior.

The new Swift will come with an all-new 1.2 litre Dual VVT petrol engine and a modified 1.3 litre DDIS diesel. The 4 cylinder 16v petrol unit produces 93bhp (94PS @ 6,000rpm) and up to 118Nm (87ft-lb) of torque. Alternatively, the direct injection diesel, produces 74bhp (75PS) and up to 190Nm (140ft-lb @4,800 rpm) of torque. Petrol buyers get a choice between a 5 speed manual transmission and a 4 speed automatic, while the diesel only comes with a manual transmission, also 5 speed. Only the petrol engine comes with auto start/stop.

With its low kerb weight (945kg – 1,110kg) and economical engines, the 1.2 VVT with manual transmission can return a combined figure of 56.5mpg (5.0l/100km). The figure is improved by 7.8mpg over the older 1.3 VVT. Greenhouse gas emissions also drop from 140g/km to 116g/km, saving over 24g/km or a 17% improvement over the older petrol unit. The 4 speed automatic has combined fuel consumption of 51.3mpg (5.5l/100km) for the 3dr. The 5dr combines 50.4mpg (5.6l/100km).

The 1.3 DDiS diesel will be attainable in Spring 2011 in the UK. This boasts exciting combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg (4.2l/100km) from 62.8mpg, with CO2 emissions falling from 119g/km down to 109g/km. This Euro 5 engine has more precise engine management than before with reduced levels of mechanical friction for smoother running and flexibility.

The 2011 Swift (3,850mm) is 90mm longer than the outgoing car and is 1,695mm wide and 1,510mm high (151.57" x 66.73" x 59.45"), with a wheelbase of 2,430mm (95.67"), which is 50mm longer. This means the car is 2.5% longer, providing both more legroom and more load space.

Look for the 2011 Suzuki Swift at your local dealership floor by the end of the year.