Jaguar XE

JAGUAR'S XE sports saloon is gearing up to take on the likes of the Audi Quattro and BMW xDrive models with the introduction of an all-wheel-drive variant.

Fitted to the higher powered 2.0-litre diesel automatic version of the XE, Jaguar claims that the new powertrain gives the XE class leading handling characteristics in poor conditions.

The AWD XE is priced from £33,825 - £1,800 more than the rear wheel drive auto and £2,750 more than the six-speed manual XE - yet all round performance is largely unaltered.

Top speed for both is 140mph with the four-wheel-drive car achieving 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds - a fraction slower.

The main difference is fuel economy but even so the XE AWD is rated at 60.6mpg with emissions of 123g/km compared to an official fuel return of 67.3 to the gallon in the two-wheel-drive version.

Jaguar has developed its new 4x4 system in conjunction with off-road experts at sister company Land Rover and it is similar to that which will be deployed on the F-PACE SUV.

It is fully automatic and in regular conditions allows the car to remain rear-wheel-drive, switching power to bring in the front wheels only when required.

The XE AWD also makes use of JLR's Adaptive Surface Response technology which was developed for the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the latest Range Rover Evoque where it has proved capable of giving the vehicles almost go-anywhere ability on wintry or slippery roads.

The new drive system is available only with Jaguar's home-grown 180ps Ingenium diesel engine and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission but is being offered in all trim levels apart from S grade which is currently reserved for the high performance supercharged V6 XE.

The AWD models will be arriving early next year and come as Jaguar is upgrading its InControl connectivity systems which will include a sat nav system that can memorise your daily commute and map out alternative routes if there is congestion.

It will also feature what Jaguar is calling an Approach Mode where the display will switch into a 360 degree street view of the area as the vehicle approaches within 200 metres of the destination.

ALL-NEW VOLVO XC90 NAMED DIESEL CAR MAGAZINE’S BEST 4X4 OF 2015...

• Volvo XC90 takes Best 4x4 title in 2015 Diesel Car Magazine awards
• Judges praise car’s design, technology, engineering, refinement and driving dynamics
• Priced from £45,750, all-new XC90 arrives next month

Swedish style, cutting-edge technology and class-leading refinement have seen the all-new Volvo XC90 beat its rivals to a prestigious UK award.

Diesel Car Magazine has named the XC90 as Best 4x4 category winner in its 2015 Car of the Year awards.

Judges praised the Volvo’s engineering, driving dynamics, interior quality, powertrains and design, saying it was “perhaps the most significant new car in the company’s 88-year history.”

Nick Connor, Managing Director of Volvo Car UK, said: “The XC90 is a true landmark for Volvo – indeed it represents the dawn of a new era for our brand in this country, so I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award.

“It’s a car we’re really proud of, and which has generated a lot of interest – and over 1,000 customer orders – even before it has officially arrived at UK dealers. It’s a great start to an exciting future for Volvo in the UK.”

Priced from £45,750, the all-new Volvo XC90 is available to order now and is built around a new Volvo designed and built platform and engine architecture that will underpin all next generation Volvo models.

It is available with a 225hp, four-cylinder D5 AWD diesel engine with CO2 emissions from just 149g/km, returning up to 49.6mpg combined cycle fuel economy. Also available is a 320hp petrol engine option, plus a T8 Twin Engine variant that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for 49g/km CO2 emissions and hybrid levels of fuel economy.

Announcing the award win, Ian Robertson, Editor and Publisher of Diesel Car Magazine, said: “The first all-new car to be launched by Volvo using a totally fresh architecture, it’s obvious that no expense has been spared in search of excellence, with the introduction of all-new 2.0-litre powertrains, a fresh scalable platform, the very latest technology, together with a heavy dose of Swedish style for good measure.

“Elevated quality levels, class-leading refinement and economy, and a behind the wheel experience that is driver focussed, all contrive to create a vehicle that is at the pinnacle of the 4x4 class.”

For more information about the XC90 and the full range of Volvo models call in to the Motor Mall showroom.

New SsangYong Tivoli to go on sale in May 2015

The new SsangYong Tivoli small SUV has been on display at the Geneva motor show prior to going on sale in May 2015.

The Tivoli is SsangYong's intended rival for the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. It measures 4.2 metres long and is around five centimetres longer than a Nissan Juke. It sits on an all-new platform - the first developed since SsangYong was taken over by Indian industrial giant Mahindra.
The Tivoli is a five-seater, and its boot capacity is 423 litres, or around 30 litres less than a Renault Captur.




What engines can I choose from?

The Tivoli will be available from the outset with a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which produces 126bhp and 118lb ft of torque. A diesel version, a 1.6-litre unit producing 113bhp and 221lb ft, will come in June, alongside the option of four-wheel drive. In its cleanest form, the diesel-powered Tivoli will emit just 109g/km of CO2. A six-speed manual transmission will be offered alongside a six-speed automatic.

How much equipment does it come with?

As with many of the new breed of small SUVs, the Tivoli will be offered with a wide range of customisation options, including a seven-inch colour touch-screen on high-end editions, a contrast roof colour and, potentially, some bold interior trim finishes, although SsangYong's UK importer has yet to commit to offering them all.

The connectivity options will include a USB socket and, unusually, an HDMI socket that will allow users to play their smartphone video content on the central screen.
Other features available include rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, heated seats, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control and automatic headlights. All Tivolis get seven airbags, including a driver's kneebag.



How much will it cost?

UK specifications and pricing are still being finalised, but well-placed sources suggest that the Tivoli will start at less than £13,000 for an entry-level two-wheel-drive petrol manual edition, rising to just under £20,000 for a top-spec automatic four-wheel-drive diesel.

Call Motor Mall Jersey on 01534 635566 or Guernsey on 01481 235533 for details.

Source - What Car?

SsangYong at Motor Mall...

MOTOR MALL will take the number of new vehicles franchises offered under its sizeable roof to 13 with the arrival of SsangYong next week.

The Korean manufacturer is known for its 4x4s and people carriers and value for money offering and is one of the fastest growing manufacturers in the UK with 28 new franchises opening over the last 18 months.

Motor Mall is the latest new franchise to open, with a demonstrator for each of model in the range expected to be on display outside the showroom by next weekend.

Motor Mall general manager Lee Arnold, who took the reins at the Mont a l’Abbe business last September, has experience of the SsangYong range from his previous role with the Motorpoint multi-franchise group in the UK.

‘In the UK, SsangYong is recognised for producing affordable 4x4s and seven-seater people carriers which make good towing cars. Price is one of their biggest selling points with nearly all the range under £20,000 and the starting from just £12,995.

‘We will have one of each model available as demonstrators. SsangYong are always reinventing themselves and in addition to the existing models, the new Tivoli is expected mid-way through the year.

‘SsangYong is in the middle of a massive push to expand the dealer network in the UK and they offer a fresh and attractive alternative for our customers.

‘They will have pride of place in front of the dealership near the customer parking area that has recently been finished.’

Lee said that Motor Mall had enjoyed a spectacular start to the year.

‘We are going from strength-to-strength and have just had the best month on record in terms of new car sales. I would like to thank our customers for their support.

‘We have noticed more people visiting the showroom and the sales figures suggest the economy is on the way up.

‘We have had encouraging sales with our other most recent franchise, Seat, and bringing SsangYong on board fits in with our company ethos of driving down the cost of motoring.

‘We are trying to create a one-stop shop with something for all customers, whatever their budget.’

The New Land Rover Discovery Sport...

Channel Islands Land Rover have just taken delivery of the stunning new Land Rover Discovery Sport and is now available for test drives.
Contact Adrian Parrish on 01534 635500 or email info@channelislandslandrover.com