Tag Archives: widereaching

Audi A3 facelift brings new inside and ramped up S3

The Audi A3 has adopted its Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia platformmates in receiving a wide-reaching refresh for 2024, with a recent inside, trick new lights and a extra highly effective S3 among the many headlines.

Offered within the UK in each Sportback and saloon types, the revamped A3 will initially go on sale with a alternative of two powertrains: the 35 TFSI 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol and the 35 TDI 2.0-litre diesel.

Both models provide an unchanged 148bhp. A revamped plug-in hybrid is among the many different engine choices that might be launched later this 12 months.

The focus of a comparatively refined exterior makeover has been to make the automobile look extra dynamic. There is a revamped, wider hexagonal grille on the entrance, with the Audi rings now protruding from the highest quite than being built-in into the center. 

The entrance additionally options new aspect air intakes and a reshaped spoiler, designed to make the automobile seem decrease. 

At the again, there’s a new bumper and diffuser unit, which is impressed by that on the legendary RS2 Avant, says Audi.

The daytime operating lights now function 4 completely different ‘signatures’ that customers can change between to individualise their automobile’s look.

Each signature has its personal distinctive graphic when the automobile is locked or unlocked. Inside, there was a concentrate on including further commonplace equipment and digital know-how.

All trim ranges now function Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument show and a three-spoke steering wheel. The redesigned centre console now consists of an armrest as commonplace and a smaller gear selector for the automated ’field.

The design of the air vents has additionally been revamped. In addition, Audi has revised the usual inside lighting, together with backlit doorways and contour lights within the centre console and cupholders.

There is a brand new optionally available stereo system too, with a Sonos unit changing the B&O system beforehand featured.

The revamped A3 additionally incorporates a new model of Audi’s infotainment system, operating on the ten.1in central show.

Audi will provide a number of features on demand in sure markets, together with the power so as to add adaptive cruise management, high-beam help and two-zone air con.

The 35 TFSI Sportback might be priced at €35,650 (£30,500) in Germany, with the saloon costing an additional €800 (£690). UK pricing has but to be finalised.

A revised model of the recent Audi S3 will observe later this 12 months, that includes an upgraded 2.0-litre engine – with a hefty bump in energy to 329bhp – and the torque splitter system beforehand supplied on the RS3

Nissan Juke revamped with larger touchscreen and improved high quality

Nissan has given its common Juke crossover a wide-reaching inside overhaul in a bid to keep up its place close to the highest of the gross sales charts.

The updates come because the third-generation Juke enters its fifth 12 months on sale, having bought a file 31,745 items within the UK final 12 months to rank as one of many nation’s best-selling vehicles. 

The updates focus totally on bettering high quality and ease of use, with new supplies, higher match and end, a bigger touchscreen and upgraded smartphone connectivity among the many upgrades.

Speaking on the launch of the facelifted crossover, assistant chief engineer Stephane Gandy mentioned: “We wanted to make it feel as though you’re in a jet fighter. When you’re inside, everything is quite close to your side. Positioning that screen and playing with the orientation, it plays with emotions.”

The Juke has additionally been given a brand new range-topping trim stage, N-Sport, which sits alongside Tekna vehicles and above the prevailing Acenta Premium and N-Connecta trims.

Entry-level Visia trim has been dropped, owing to it accounting for simply 1% of whole gross sales.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Nissan GB, mentioned: “The latest-generation Juke was launched in 2019, and continuous enhancements, together with a brand new hybrid powertrain, have ensured it stays common with UK prospects in a fiercely aggressive sector.

“2023 was the current generation Juke’s best-selling year, and these latest updates retain its distinctive style while enhancing connectivity, quality, interior design and safety to ensure it stays ahead of the competition.”

New Audi A7 Avant to interchange A6 as flagship ICE property

The Audi A7 Avant is being ready because the successor to the A6 Avant, touting a daring redesign and wide-reaching expertise updates whereas sticking with combustion energy.

Due on sale in 2025, the property takes a brand new identify as a part of a brand new Audi naming technique that is meant to make it simpler to inform aside ICE vehicles and EVs: the previous have odd numbers, the latter even numbers.

The A6 identify shall be used subsequent 12 months for an equal however unrelated E-tron electrical mannequin based mostly on Audi’s new PPE platform. 

An A7 Avant prototype has been noticed testing on roads round Germany with a design paying homage to the smaller A5 Avant – the forthcoming alternative for the A4 Avant.

At the entrance, it options slim, redesigned headlights, Audi’s conventional hexagonal radiator grille and a streamlined bonnet. 

The alloy wheels have been redesigned, the door handles are flush with the bodywork and on the rear it will get a bumper-width mild bar and reshaped twin exhausts.

The A7 Avant will arrive alongside a brand new A7 Sportback, which is able to change the A6 saloon that has been on sale within the UK since 2018.

The duo will function rivals to the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

It stays to be seen how related the engine line-up shall be to that of in the present day’s automobile, however yellow warning stickers on the noticed prototype’s home windows sign that it has some electrical help.

The property will proceed to make use of the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, however its rear construction shall be modified to accommodate a 14.4kWh lithium ion battery within the PHEV variant, which is able to supply an electric-only vary of round 60 miles. 

It’s anticipated to be bigger than the A6 Avant so as to accommodate the hybrid system. For reference, the present property measures 4939mm lengthy, 1886mm broad and 1467mm tall.

Peugeot 208: Europe’s Best-Selling Car Gets Hybrid Powertrains and a Sportier Look

The popular Peugeot 208 has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, including the addition of two new hybrid powertrains, an enhanced exterior design, and various interior improvements.

The new hybrid options, which are also available in the facelifted Vauxhall Corsa, combine 99bhp and 134bhp petrol engines with a six-speed automatic gearbox that features an integrated 48V electric motor. This electrification results in a torque boost at low revs and a 15% increase in fuel efficiency. Peugeot claims that these hybrids operate in pure-electric mode for more than 50% of the time in urban environments.

The existing 74bhp and 99bhp petrol engines remain in the lineup, paired with a five-speed manual and a six-speed manual respectively. However, the 100bhp diesel engine has been discontinued.

The electric variant of the Peugeot 208, known as the e-208, now comes with a new 154bhp motor and a larger 51kWh battery, providing a range of 248 miles on a single charge. Peugeot asserts that the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in less than 25 minutes using a 100kW charger.

The exterior design of the Peugeot 208 has been updated to match the refreshed 508 and 2008 models. It features a more prominent tri-fang daytime running light signature, a wider front grille, and a rear light bar with three red ‘claws’ extending across the entire width of the boot.

Inside the car, a 10.0in touchscreen is now standard across all trim levels, although a high-definition panel is reserved for Allure and GT models. The distinctive i-Cockpit dashboard design remains, with a small, uniquely shaped steering wheel positioned below the instrument cluster.

A range of advanced driver assistance systems has been added to the Peugeot 208 to meet the new GSR2 safety standards set by the European Union. These include adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance, and an optional 360-degree parking camera.

The Peugeot 208 is available in three trim levels: Active, Allure, and GT. The price of each trim level is expected to increase slightly. Currently, the 208 starts at £20,610 for the 1.2 Puretech Active and goes up to £34,845 for the e-208 GT.