Automobiles Review

Author: Georgi Boychev

  • Ford adds two new models to the 2022 ST lineup

    2022 Explorer ST LineFord adds two new choices for the 2022 Explorer lineup – both vehicles come with enhanced styling and new features in terms of drivetrain system.

    This is the sixth generation of Explorer and it is built on the same platform that made the 2022 lineup so popular and preferable.

     We’ve taken Explorer, already the all-time best-selling SUV, and given our customers the chance to put the emphasis on the things they value most, said Jeff Marentic, Ford marketing manager, For on-road performance and styling, our new rear-wheel-drive Explorer ST and new Explorer ST-Line are specifically designed to appeal to new customer groups with different adventure needs.

    The two vehicles feature a rear-wheel drive system, a four-wheel drive is optionally available, a 3.0-liter EcoBoost power unit with 400hp and 415lb-ft of torque and a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

    No two SUV drivers use their vehicles the same way, so our goal is to meet the needs of as many as possible, said Lee Newcombe, Ford Explorer marketing manager, Four-wheel-drive capability is great if you need it, but if you don’t, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. These changes to the Explorer lineup were guided by what our customers told us they wanted.

    Furthermore, the new models feature exclusive ST-Line mirrors, 20-inch machined aluminum wheels, black grille, fascia-integrated dual exhaust tips, glossy “EXPLORER” hood badging and more.

    In terms of interior, the new models come with Ebony Black ActiveX seats with Miko inserts, heated first-row seats, heated sport-style steering wheel and red accent stitching, 12-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging pad, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 360-degree camera. There is also Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ technology†† including Evasive Steering Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and voice-activated navigation. Additional touches include ST-Line scuff plates and premium floor mats.

    SEE ALSO: Kia reveals new Soul EV “Maxx” that would replace the First Edition model lineup

    The ST brand has been very well received by Explorer customers since it arrived two years ago, Newcombe said. With the addition of Explorer ST-Line, Explorer will offer the broadest performance-inspired lineup in the segment.

     

  • Kia reveals new Soul EV “Maxx” that would replace the First Edition model lineup

    2021-Kia-Soul-EV-Maxx-910Kia UK has introduced the new Soul EV “Maxx” model, which would replace the “First Edition” lineup. Already available for orders, the new Maxx machine retains the same distinctive and elegant exterior design and adds new and exclusive 17-inch wheels, black leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

    Furthermore, Maxx also receives two new metallic color options – a single-tone Snow White Pearl, the standard cover for the lineup, or the optional two-tone Inferno Red with Black Roof. There are also two already existing paints available: Quartz Black with Red and Neptune Blue with Black.

    As expected, the Soul EV “Maxx” embraces this notable and playful character of its predecessors and along with it comes with a 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which helps the vehicle cover about 280 miles with a single charge. Neat!

    SEE ALSO: Citroen reveals details about the new C4 SpaceTourer range

    The Soul EV is still a popular choice among EV buyers, with more than 900 sold in the UK so far in 2021. It is one of two fully electric models offered by Kia UK, alongside the popular e-Niro electric crossover. The Soul EV and e-Niro will be joined later in 2021 by the Kia EV6.

     

  • Citroen reveals details about the new C4 SpaceTourer range

    2021-Citroen-C4-SpaceTourer-910Citroen has revealed details for the new and updated Grand C4 SpaceTourer seven-seater MPV. The vehicle confidently steps on the heritage of the previous model that has been named DieselCar & EcoCar ‘Best MPV’ 2021, and ‘Best Used MPV’ in the What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards 2021, and offers neat new gadgets and refined systems.

    What shaped the most the image and features of the newcomer were mainly the customer demand and their opinions and feedback about how should the model be designed and equipped. Following these recommendations, Citroen team managed to create two trim levels, Sense and Shine, each with its individual characteristics.

    The Sense lineup comes with 17-inch ‘Shamal’ alloy wheels, dark tinted side windows and integrated aluminium roof bars, 3D-effect rear lights, as well as a reversing camera for added ease of driving. For the inside, engineers included a 12-inch Panoramic HD central display and a 7-inch Touch Drive interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Sense models can also be specified with Citroën Connect Nav with three-years of live traffic updates.

    On the other hand, the Shine trim level adds a panoramic sunroof and black door mirrors to the exterior styling, as well as Xenon Intelligent Beam headlights, which automatically dip to prevent dazzling oncoming road users.

    SEE ALSO: Junior Concours of Elegance returns with full force in 2021!

    Shine models also benefit from an active lane-departure warning system, active cruise control with speed limiter, and braking function for semi-autonomous motorway driving. A blind-spot monitoring system helps reduce accidents even further, while a park assist function can take over parking duties in difficult situations.

     

     

     

     

  • Junior Concours of Elegance returns with full force in 2021!

    2021 Concours Of Elegance JuniorThe Concours d’Elegance, which gathers the world’s rarest and more bizarre vehicles, will see the return of the Junior Concours in 2021. On September 3-5, the event will welcome an array of beautiful hand-crafted half-size and three-quarter scale electric and petrol cars to sit alongside their bigger siblings.

    Just like the full-size machines, the Junior Concours attendants are mostly handcrafted and will borrow the best from the world of motorsport. Audience will have the chance to witness cars like Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type, Alfa Romeo PS Monza, and Ferrari F40.

    Over the course of the event, the Works Drivers, supported by their Mechanics, will pilot their vehicles on the Concours Live Stage. Competitors will try to win a plethora of awards, some of which are ‘Best Pedal Car’, ‘Best Electric Car’, ‘Best Petrol Car’, ‘Most Original Car’ and ‘Best Dressed’.

    Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: The Junior Concours was such a success last year, that we’ve decided to bring it back for 2021. This feature really shines a light on the fascinating world of bespoke built children’s cars, popularised by the Austin J40 of which almost 32,000 were built from 1950. This year, as we did last year, we have gathered together a wonderful collection of handbuilt cars of all ages, complete with working headlamps, innovative powertrains, and a near-perfect likeness to the full-size models they seek to imitate. With the support of their drivers and mechanics, the Junior Concours will be as much of a spectacle as any of our other priceless displays.

    SEE ALSO: Vauxhall will showcase a special collection of vehicles at the British Motor Museum

    This event is expected to gather about 1000 unique cars and will also celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday, and a 30UNDER30 Concours aimed at inspiring the next generation of classic car enthusiasts.

     

     

  • Vauxhall will showcase a special collection of vehicles at the British Motor Museum

    2021 Vauxhall Exhibition HeritageVauxhall’s well-known heritage collection will be displayed at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire. The exhibition will tell the story of the brand and will showcase some of the iconic models Vauxhall has unveiled throughout the years.

    The collection consists of a total of 50 cars and vans that demonstrate the heritage of the manufacturer ever since the first 5hp Light Car unveiled back in 1903.

    Back in 1903, Vauxhall became a manufacturer and was originally based in South London. After two years, a large premise was needed and Vauxhall Motors moved to a six-acre side in Luton, where, alongside Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, it still manufactures automobiles.

    SEE ALSO: Citroen C3 and C4 Picasso are the winners at this year’s Used Car Awards

    This is a perfect opportunity for the public to get up close and personal with cars and vans from our collection, said Paul Willcox, Vauxhall’s managing director, There are some extremely rare and valuable vehicles on display, but many that will conjure ‘my-mum-and-dad-had-one-of-those’ memories, too. Most importantly, it paints a wonderful social picture of Vauxhall’s importance to the UK culture, through all the highs and lows of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

     

    Stephen Laing, Head of Collections at the British Motor Museum, said: We were delighted when Vauxhall approached us to look after its fantastic collection of vehicles, one of the most significant collections from a UK manufacturer. It fits perfectly with the Museum’s aim to broaden even further the range of marques that are represented here at Gaydon and adds a new dimension to the stories we tell about the cars and the people in Britain’s motor industry. With so much choice, it has already been tough making the first selection of 30 cars to display in the Museum!

     

  • New Fiat 500 receives a 5-star green rating

    2021 Fiat 500The new Fiat 500 has been recognized as the most environmentally-friendly electric vehicle on the market, according to Green NCAP.

    This is brand’s first all-electric vehicle was awarded the top five-star rating and became the first and only electric machine to achieve such top rating in all three car tests: Clean Air Index, Energy Efficiency Index and Greenhouse Gases Index. This is also the first machine to score the maximum 10 of 10 in the Energy Efficiency Index.

    Launched in 2019, the Green NCAP assessment is specially created to demonstrate how environmentally friendly new vehicles are by blending the results of both lab and real-world tests.

    These examinations include cold, warm, cold ambient, and highway tests. There are also on-road driving exams, on-road driving with tons of luggage, on-road driving with a light load, and on-road short trip.

    SEE ALSO: Citroen C3 and C4 Picasso are the winners at this year’s Used Car Awards

    As it comes to the vehicle, the new 500 is an iconic vehicle with a contemporary design and an advanced drivetrain system. The car comes with 2 Autonomous Driving technologies, numerous battery options, and extended mileage coverage with a single charge.

     

  • Citroen C3 and C4 Picasso are the winners at this year’s Used Car Awards

    2021 Citroen C4 PicassoCitroen has been the big winner at the 2021 Auto Express Used Car Awards. The C3 Aircross SUV has won the “Used Car of the Year” title, and the “Best Used Small SUV” awards, while its sibling, the Grand C4 Picasso was named “Best Used MPV” at the event.

    The winner of the previous edition of the show, the C3 AIrcross SUV has also been recognized for a second consecutive year – it managed to impress the jury with its good looks, practical and elegant interior, and excellent value for money.

    Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief at Auto Express, said: The Citroen C3 Aircross makes a fabulous used buy. It’s one of the best small SUVs you can buy with its focus on comfort and practicality, and with plenty now on the used market it’s a bargain for families looking for an affordable, high-quality and fun car.

    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso and C3 Aircross were praised for their versatility and spacious interior, which can set up to seven adults in a comfortable and functional cabin, as well as lineup’s efficient and agile power units.

    SEE ALSO: ŠKODA team celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Land Speed Record sprint

    Commenting on Grand C4 Picasso’s win, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief at Auto Express, said: The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso has long been our favorite new MPV, and the attributes that make it great – slick design, fantastic comfort, and a practical and flexible interior – still ring true. It represents great value for money as a new car, but is the MPV to beat on the used market.

     

  • ŠKODA team celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Land Speed Record sprint

    2011 SKODA Octavia RSSKODA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the land speed record of the famous Bonneville Salt flats in Utah, USA.  Back in 2011, Friday, 19th of August, an exclusively tuned SKODA Octavia RS, driven by journalist Richard Meaden, officially became the fastest 2.0-liter forced injection production vehicle, registering a Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) sanctioned speed of 227.080mph.

    To celebrate, SKODA team made a complete restoration of the 2011 Ocativa vRS, returning it to the same specs that were featured through the final run at the salt flats. The restored sports car was put through its paces at Millbrook Proving Grounds’ high-sped bowl by members of the motor press, alongside a selection of some of SKODA’s greatest performance models, past and present.

    Recalling ŠKODA’s record-breaking visit to Bonneville, Meaden said: Driving the salt flats was a dream come true. It always felt like a privilege to be allowed to charge flat-out down the salt. Knowing how much passion and hard work went into getting the Octavia to Speed Week made that privilege all the greater. I’m incredibly proud of what we all achieved and will never forget how it felt to break a record or to be part of such an exceptional group of people.

    Despite the fact that the 2011 Octavia became the first SKODA to hold an official Land Speed Record, the initial goal of Skoda team was to break the 200mph barrier. The breaking run consisted of two official sprints of Bonneville’s famous five-mile course – the first scored a highest speed at 225.513mph on Thursday 18 August, and the return marked 228.647mph on Friday 19 August.

    As it comes to the vehicle itself, the Octavia was originally designed to join SKODA UK press fleet before being requisitioned for the Bonneville project.

    SEE ALSO:  The all-new 2023 Nissan Z is about to make its world debut [VIDEO]

    Based on a production Octavia vRS 2.0 TSI, the Bonneville Special has undergone tons of modifications in order to qualify and have a chance to break a record. Under the regulations of Southern California Timing Association, only a certain set of mods were allowed. Such were an injection system modded to deliver more fuel to the engine, and a cooling system which benefited from the addition of a 10-litre radiator. The longer-geared transmission from an Octavia GreenLine was also installed to enable a higher top speed, while the traditional brake discs and calipers were removed and replaced by a parachute to ensure the car could safely stop on the salt surface. Operated by a lever in the cabin, this had the added advantages of reducing excess drag, unsprung weight and friction.

  • The all-new 2023 Nissan Z is about to make its world debut [VIDEO]

    2023-Nissan-Z-910Nissan announced details for the all-new 2023 Z sports car via a global broadcast from Brooklyn’s Duggal Greenhouse, not very far from where the original 1970 Datsun 240Z was first unveiled back in 1969.

    When we introduced the Z in 1969, the Z was a revolution. Since then, for more than 50 years, Nissan has brought style, speed, reliability and so much more to millions of enthusiasts around the world, said Ashwani Gupta, representative executive officer, and chief operating officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    There are six previous generations of Nissan’s famous sports car and all of them have impressed the audiences and received mainly positive feedback.

    As for the newcomer, the 2023 Z showcases a sleek and attractive exterior design with a silhouette that resembles the original design with a long hood and low rear stance. The interior is characterized by a driver-focused cockpit with a 12.3-inch customizable racing-inspired display, leather sports seats and an 8-speaker audio system.

    All 2023 Z models are geared with a 400-hp 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo power unit and a 6-speed manual gearbox with a sporty EXDY high-performance clutch.

    SEE ALSO: Four Hyundai models receive places in the prestigious Best New Cars for Teens list

    The Z has always been an accessible sports car – always placed at the intersection of aspiration and attainability – of dreams and reality. This latest iteration is now ready to thrill Z enthusiasts, and create a whole new generation of Z fans as well, when it comes to market here in the U.S. early next year, said Gupta.

    The 2023 Z is offered in Sport and Performance grade levels and a special “Proto Spec” edition, which is limited to 240 units.

    https://youtu.be/rcw9K7n5sJ0

  • Four Hyundai models receive places in the prestigious Best New Cars for Teens list

    2021-Hyundai-Santa-Fe-910The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, Kona, Ioniq Hybrid, and Elantra Hybrid have all earned spots in the US News & World Report’s 2021 “Best New Cars for Teens”. The brand managed to stand out from the crowd with its advanced safety features, Bluelink connectivity, and all the driver assistance technologies.

    The awards were given as follows:

    • Best Car for Teens $20K to $25K – 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
    • Best SUV for Teens $20K to $25K – 2021 Hyundai Kona
    • Best Car for Teens $25K to $30K – 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
    • Best SUV for Teens $35K to $40K – 2021 Santa Fe Hybrid

    All vehicles in the prestigious list are available with forward collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

    At Hyundai, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with great vehicles and these Hyundai models do just that with advanced safety technologies as well as Bluelink, which features technologies that allow parents to monitor their new drivers, says Brian Latouf, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America, Hyundai Motor America, We are happy to have secured so many spots on this list by the reputable U.S. News & World Report by delivering the best combination of reliability, crash protection, and accident avoidance features.

    SEE ALSO: SEAT will debut new Ibiza and Arona at the British Motor Show

    To be a part of the Best New Cars for Teens, a vehicle has to have the best combination of predicted reliability ratings, crash test scores, available advanced driver assistance features and top critics’ recommendations in the U.S. News Best Cars rankings in its category.

  • SEAT will debut new Ibiza and Arona at the British Motor Show

    2021 SEAT Ibiza Arona British Motor ShowNew SEAT Ibiza and Arona models will make their UK debut with SMC Motor Group at this year’s British Motor Show. Both vehicles are already available to order and come with numerous features and an extended list of standard features.

    The new Ibiza offers many changes, compared to older models, and offers new alloy wheels, full LED exterior lights, and a choice of two new body colors: Sapphire Blue and Asphalt Blue.

    As it comes to the Arona, it is available with Sapphire Blue, Asphalt Blue, and Dark Camouflage, and LED interior lighting, exclusive trimming, and an advanced infotainment system.

    James Kimber, Managing Director of SMC Motor Group, commented: We are very excited to be attending the British Motor Show this year with the first UK models of the new SEAT Ibiza and Arona. The show is a great opportunity to showcase the newest cars we have to offer, and the new SEAT Arona and Ibiza come with a host of the latest technologies and design features. We look forward to welcoming visitors to experience the new versions of these popular SEAT models for themselves.

    As we know, SMC Motor Group will also be exhibiting the SEAT Leon e-HYBRID PHEV machine, and manufacturers will talk about the vehicle with all the enthusiasts at the show.

     

     

  • Four early-entries are confirmed for the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show Sale

    1991 BMW 325i (E30) ConvertibleClassic Car Auctions’ third auction of 2021 is right behind the corner and on Saturday, 25th of September, the attendees will witness numerous cool exhibitions and neat show.

    The confirmed early entries that will be on sale include a 1991 BMW 325i (E30) Convertible, with a single owner and with an exclusive BlackM-Tech leather interior, and with a mileage of 73, 665.

    2006 Ferrari F430 Spider F1

    Another notable machine attending the show is a 2006 Ferrari F430 Spider “F1”. With only 33,889 miles covered, this one has three main dealer stamps in the service record with invoices. Still bearing its original leather-bound handbook, this Ferrari is eagerly awaiting its new owner.

    Gary Dunne, CCA’s Sales Manager commented: In the last couple of weeks we have launched some of the first entries confirmed for this auction. This is just the start of many with new additions continuing to go live on our website every week. There is still time for you to submit your entry alongside the cars previewed, contact our expert team today and we will guide you through the process.

    1985 Lamborghini Jalpa P35035 V8

    The third early entry is a 1985 Lamborghini Jalpa P350 3.5 V8. The vehicle has covered a total of 50,700km and is exclusively designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone to rejoin the battle with Ferrari 308. This unit is at the moment part of a private collection and is accompanied by a good history file and is a part of a limited run of only 410 vehicles.s

    SEE ALSO: Legendary 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Wins J.B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car

    1986 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Super Sport Cabriolet

    The final early entry is a 1986 Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera SuperSport Cabriolet. This is a very rare vehicle and comes with 104,000 miles and is presented in Guards Rev G1V9 with matching red leather piped in black. There are only 75 produced of these.