August 28, 2012

All New Toyota Auris Set To Enter The Ring At The Paris Motor Show

It has been a very busy week in the motoring world. Across the pond, the great and the good of the industry have been gathering at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance soaking up the California sun in the presence of supercar royalty, including such giants as the Bugatti Veyron, SRT Viper and McLaren MP4-12C. Meanwhile, back here on planet earth where we don’t have foie gras for dinner and caviar for breakfast, big news has been filtering through to Inside Lane of the more sensible variety.

Since its introduction in 2007, the Auris has been a real winner for Toyota, quite rightly staking its claim as one of the big fish in the shark infested waters of the small family hatchback arena. As with all the established big hitters, the Auris has had to evolve in order to keep pace with its rivals so for 2013 Toyota have announced a big refresh for their Focus challenger.

The original Auris Hybrid, released in 2010, had the dubious honour of picking up the baton from the Prius, which initially kicked off Toyota’s hybrid revolution, and offering that technology to a much wider market. The 2013 model signals the next chapter in that story, entering a world where hybrid technology has become far less of novelty, by offering several improvements in efficiency to its Hybrid Synergy Drive system. In amongst all this talk of hybrid power, we must not forget that the new Auris will also be available with the option of a 1.4-litre diesel or 1.33/1.6-litre petrol engine. However, the emphasis on green power here is deliberate: Toyota say that they fully expect to sell an equal one-third share of hybrid models compared with diesel and petrol variants. Proof, if needed, that the seismic shift in power on our roads is gathering pace.

Elsewhere, Toyota have lowered the ride height and driving position on the new Auris and the car is noticeably squatter than the outgoing model. Steering and suspension have both been revised which should provide a more responsive feel on the road.

The exterior has been completely re-designed, with a lower front end contributing to better aerodynamics and in turn improved handling, stability and fuel consumption. Still, the look is largely functional and won’t be turning heads anytime soon. The option of a piano black finish for the B-pillars doesn’t exactly set the heart racing but the angular rear with its wider opening tailgate is at least a little more daring in the design department. Inside, the 2013 Auris will be slightly more spacious and on higher spec models the dashboard will come with leather trim, but the real wow factor comes courtesy of Toyota’s Skyview panoramic roof, one of the largest in the segment. Despite all this, it is hard to shake off the niggling feeling that the new Auris just lacks some of that Focus and Golf panache.

The 2013 Auris will take its European bow at the Paris motor show this September. It will be interesting to see if, having climbed the greasy pole, Toyota can continue to punch its weight in such a cut-and-thrust area of the market.

2013 Fiat 500 Turbo Announced

Love the style of the Fiat 500 but want a little more fun? Crave the performance and agility of an Abarth but can’t stomach the price tag? Well the newest arrival to the family could be for you.

Arise the new 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo. Debuted in Monterey, California, the big headlines are the rip-roaring 135 BHP 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine along with the new sport-tuned suspension and track-proven brakes. Overall, that is a more-than-generous 34 % power improvement on the ordinary 500 and a 53% torque gain.

The gearbox has also been upgraded to a track-proven C510 five-speed manual for quicker acceleration and faster top speed and for all that gain Fiat say it will still hit up to 34 mpg on the motorway. 

The 500 Turbo will be distinguished from the base model not only by its extra fire power but also by its more aggressive styling with new performance-orientated fascias and side sills, all fully integrated with the delicate aerodynamics. Note the more pronounced front fascia, housing twin ‘nostrils’ positioned on both sides to maximise airflow in and out of the intercoolers along with bolder side skirts, less slanted than we’re used to seeing in the standard 500. The old chrome headlamps are gone, replaced with meaner looking gloss black versions.

At the rear, a black-accented diffuser designed to optimise airflow is a welcome addition while a new sport-tuned exhaust should provide an Abarth-like grunt.

Talking of sound, the Fiat 500 Turbo will also feature the Beats by Dr. Dre high-definition audio system, never before seen in a small car let alone a Fiat; a very nice touch indeed.

Of course the cynics out there will point to the fact that this is just a dumbed-down Abarth. And they may have a point. But Fiat themselves are indicating that the new 500 Turbo will be aimed at “enthusiasts who are drawn to the Italian style of the Fiat 500 but want more power and performance for their daily drive”, confirmation that it should comfortably slot in between the standard model and the pricier, more exclusive Abarth variant. And at £12,500 it’s a fair bit cheaper than its bigger brother too.

The 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo arrives in US dealerships this autumn. No plans to bring it to the UK just yet, but surely it’s only a matter of time.

 

Stranger From Across The Pond: Chevrolet Trax All Set To Enter The SUV Fray

It is fair to say that, in the States, Chevrolet is as much of a national institution as rodeos, the Super Bowl and Jay Leno’s chin. For decades they have tuned in to the national psyche and successfully churned out exactly what our American cousins like best; big, powerful and relentlessly rugged machines perfect for cruising the freeways and capable of withstanding a nuclear holocaust with barely a prang or paint chip to show for it.

However, it is a very different playing field here in the UK where the more subtle or mundane, depending on how you view it, is valued more highly than the typically all-American principle of bold, brash brawn. With that in mind, it is not entirely surprising that Chevrolet have never really progressed past the foot-in-the-door stage in the UK market; an established member of the cast, but not really challenging for the lead role. In fact, until now, they haven’t made a single venture in to the flourishing small SUV market.

Well that is about to change with the news that Chevy are bringing their all new Trax to the Paris Motor Show this September. Originally glimpsed as a concept in 2007, the Trax has come a long way since then, transforming from a garish, pint sized ‘micro SUV’ in to a credible AWD baby brother for the Captiva.  Sporting the distinctive Chevrolet front grille, the Trax will come with the choice of three powertrains including a 140 BHP 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 1.6-litre petrol as well as a 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine. All are hooked up to a six-speed gearbox, although bizarrely only the 1.4 petrol and 1.7 diesel will be available with the on-demand AWD system.

Only the higher spec models will be equipped with Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system which collects and displays smartphone content onto a seven-inch, high resolution, colour touch-screen in the cabin. However, this shouldn’t put off those looking for a good deal on a reliable compact SUV as an alternative to the more mainstream X3’s and Rav4’s of this world.

New Vauxhall ADAM Is A Real Fashion Victim

The undisputed capital of romance, fine cuisine and fashion will next month play host to Vauxhall’s newest arrival, the pocket sized ADAM. Revealed for the first time last month, the ADAM will be taking to the catwalk at the Paris Motor Show from the 27th September and aims to add an injection of much needed chic to Vauxhall’s city car line up where the none-too-sexy Agila falls short.

Though sadly lacking a dozen red roses and a Michelin Star chef on purchase (we assume), the ADAM will take plenty of Parisian inspiration in the field of fashion, providing prospective customers with a level of personalisation normally exclusive to the luxury end of the market. The countless interior and exterior styling combinations will be based around three questionably named trim options; ‘JAM’ for a fashionable and colourful look, ‘GLAM’ for elegance and sophistication and ‘SLAM’ for a sporty feel.  We can only speculate on an eighties throwback ‘WHAM!’ variant for future release.

Although Vauxhall claim that the ADAM bucks the current design trend in the small car segment, we think there is more than a hint of the DS3’s about their latest offering. Maybe it is unfair to draw that parallel as the two are realistically in different fields of combat, but if the ADAM is trying to take a page out of that particular styling book, it is certainly learning from one of the best in the business.

Offered with a choice of three four-cylinder petrol engines, including the 70 BHP 1.2-litre and the 100 BHP 1.4-litre, all available with optional Start/Stop technology, the ADAM will eventually adopt Vauxhall’s new-generation small petrol engine with an all-new six-speed gearbox.

So, can Vauxhall really transform itself in to a fashion statement? Fanciful it might sound, but if you are going to start turning heads and catching admiring glances, there is nowhere better to do it than in the most fashionable city in the world.

Expect the ADAM to hit UK showrooms in early 2013.

Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept Gets Angry

The Seat Ibiza has been a good source of income for the brand for a long time now. Sharing many components with the VW Polo, the little hatch is a reliable as its German counterpart but does lack in premium to badge snobs. However, what this car lacks in fit and finish it makes up for in character. This is the new Ibiza Cupra.

We love the Cupra badged Seats as this is where the company gets a little bit of freedom from the VW configured Polo underneath. This close to production concept previews what is to come for the recently launched 2012 Ibiza. The styling is brilliant but better yet is that the cars 1.4 litre engine is both turbo and supercharged! This makes for a hot hatch with 180BHP that also packs a class leading 7 speed DSG gearbox.

Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.4 Sport

The Vauxhall Astra has long since been the bread and butter of British car sales. Never quite as defined as the class leading Focus, but a reliable source of practicality and value. Though those are a great pair of traits to be associated with, they do very little to please those of us who want a little more from a car than its simple A to B function. The latest Astra is a real step up in quality, however, as something to tickle on the odd country road it does very little. Enter the Vauxhall Astra GTC and from the get go the statement it is making is very different from its sibling. If you think that this car is just an Astra minus a couple of doors you would be wrong. Very wrong.

From a visual perspective not a single body panel is carried over from the hatchback, and whilst the five-door was never ugly, it just doesn’t touch this. What we have here is the first Vauxhall in decades capable of turning heads. It is both lower and wider than the standard model. Those sculpted hunches and bold rear lines give the car a rather domineering silhouette. It isn’t overly aggressive, but its appearance sets it apart, and when you have competitors such as the VW Scirocco to consider that is no bad thing.

Inside you are greeted with what has become Vauxhall’s standard interior since the launch of the Insignia. Gone are those nasty flat facias of the previous Astra, and in their place sits a rather modern center console. Everything is well laid out, and by that I mean buttons are in logical locations, though the main cluster does feel a little crowded. Our test car being the Sport model lacked the half leather interior and the far superior steering wheel found on the SRi, that said all the fundamentals of the cabin were above par. The seats are supportive but not intrusive, rear passenger room is surprisingly generous with good levels of head and leg space, and overall it is garnished with many practical features such as numerous large storage spaces. The boot may have an olympic hurdle of a lip that the average shopper must overcome in order to place items in the back, but that aside the amount of space is greater than what you would find in many of this cars competitors.

Under the bonnet of this specific machine is a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine that produces 140BHP. Turbocharging is becoming all the rage again since it provides more power whilst helping to meet the new European emissions standards. The only real problem comes in the form of turbo-lag caused by the delay in pressure build up within the turbo. It can and has been a real killjoy of many otherwise brilliant cars. So what hand has fate issued to the GTC? I am pleased to report pocket aces! The engine loves to rev and the turbos delay is almost unnoticeable. Get the GTC out of first gear and it really surges along completing the 0-62MPH run in a respectable 9 seconds. The general noise of the engine is hidden at low speeds, but get above 4,000RPM and it makes for quite pleasant listening. Push on further through the rev band and you might just hear the whistle of the turbo under the bonnet. I would describe the general demeanor of the motor as polite. It is refined when pottering around town but becomes adequately sonorous once you put your lead boots on. Stop/Start tech is also included to reduce emissions but Vauxhall also gives you the option to turn the system off if you so wish.

 The GTC is at its best when the going gets twisty and the suspension begins to show its development hours. You can really fling it into corners and be completely confident in how the car will react. The high levels of grip and direct steering makes for an enjoyable combination. The gearbox is a real credit to this car as with short sharp movements you can crack through the gears much like you would expect from a proper sports car. I only really had two issues with the Astra whilst driving it. Firstly for a car that is more driver focused I wish the steering was a little more communicative. True drivers want to feel the tarmac beneath the tyres and I couldn’t help but feel that the GTC has been softened to please a wider market. Secondly the A-pillars around town are a little bit on the chunky side and tend to obscure visibility at junctions. These are by no means major faults, but they are the sort of thing that prevents this car from being the class leader.

The 1.4i 16v VVT Turbo with 140BHP starts at £19,625 which is very well priced in comparison to the Megane and Scirocco. Personally we would opt for the SRi model with some smarter alloys and a more comfortable steering wheel Considering it is only an extra £1,000 it would be worth while.

Overall this car has been very enjoyable and a refreshing burst of excitement from the Vauxhall badge. We eagerly anticipate the VXR model…

Abarth Launch 695 Tributo Maserati

Now, even if you have half a motoring related brain you will know that most car manufacturers are owned by another. VW dominates taking Bentley, Audi, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti, Lamborghini and half a dozen more. Fiat own a couple of note. Ever heard of Ferrari or Maserati? The Abarth arm of Fiat are launching a special Fiat 500 to pay tribute to Maserati.

Much like the Tributo Ferrari that went before it, the Tributo Maserati is little more than a well garnished Abarth 500. With 180BHP packed into its little 1.4 litre motor, it isn’t exactly sluggish and some of these “garnishings” do make it rather special. The retractable roof may be a feature found on the 500C but the paint and lavish upholstery is unique. Only 499 units of the Tributo Maserati will be produced.

Vauxhall Enters Crossover Market With Mokka

Everyone is jumping on the crossover markets bandwagon, and who can blame them. This segment is one of the fastest growing in the industry and all the usual suspects are out to beat off the competition. Even cars such as the ghastly Nissan Juke are thriving proving to all manufacturers that it is at least worth a shot. Vauxhall are next to throw their hat in with the new Mokka.

This baby SUV comes to the market with the options of both front and all wheel drive dependent upon your preference. The Mokka may not be the most extravert in its design language, but it is tastefully sculpted and wont look out of place in an urban environment. Power comes from a choice of three engines all equipped with start/stop technology. On the petrol side we have a 1.6 litre or a 1.4 turbo, and alternatively there is a higher capacity 1.7 in diesel form.

Expect the Mokka to hit the streets late 2012.

Audi A1 Quattro Is Little Monster

Audi’s little A1 can be found bumbling around most cities these days flaunting its German luxury. The good looking hatch has a lot going for it in terms of practicality, style and of course badge snobbery. But what if you’re a little too manly for the baby of Audi’s range? What if testosterone regularly fills your veins and the A1 would provoke mockery from your manly friends? Well, Audi now has a solution for you.

This is the A1 variant we have all been waiting for! Audi’s new A1 Quattro not only has the German’s legendary four wheel drive, but also 252BHP from its 1.4 litre. Add 258lb-ft of torque into the mix and that equates to a 0-62MPH time of just 5.7 seconds. The pocket rockets top speed is 152MPH. New tyres, suspension and that aggressive body kit make the A1 Quattro the perfect Christmas gift.

Want one? Of course you do! However, claiming the keys to this little monster is easier said than done. Only 333 units will be produced and Audi have not conformed if any will be produced in right-hand-drive.

Fiat 500 Abath 695 Competizione is “Race Car For the Road”

Take yourself back to the late 80’s early 90’s. People didn’t have vast quantities of money to spend on cars or anything for that matter. The supercar was very much out of reach for the average man but in this time a new breed arose to become urban legends. Hot hatchbacks were cheap, a riot to drive and didn’t label you as a pompous git. Well these days people yet again are lacking in money and so it is hardly surprising that we are seeing a resurgence of these little cars. Fiat may have just built one of the best…

With competition high amongst these cars, each new model is only getting meaner in an attempt to win public admiration. The 500 Abath is fantastic but Fiat has now cranked it up far past 11. This is the 500 Abath 695 Competizione; a 1.4 litre, 178BHP, Brembo breaks wearing, sports exhaust equipped, paddle shifting brute. Inside the rear seat have been replaced with a roll cage! Carbon fibre surrounds the new racing seats that will eat you whole. If this little car were a criminal it would wear a straightjacket to bed.