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The mid-size SUV segment is ordinarily where you find the boring stuff. But with the new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse RS General Motors is breathing a new life into this market, offering a nice blend of style, practicality and performance. The $43,095 MSRP the Traverse RS carries may seem a bit high at first, but not after you’ve known about what it has to offer.  Chevy’s design, especially with mid-range cars, has not been something worth writing home about in recent years. That is also the case with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse RS, even though it does feature some nice and sporty elements. There is black grille, black window trim, black roof rails and black bowtie emblems, along with 20-inch rims in Dark Android finish. But still, the looks here are not what would make you go wow. The performance is a lot more interesting than the appearance with the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse RS. under the bonnet the SUV features a Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine that chus out 257 horsepower (192 kW) and 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm). This engine is gutsy from low rpm, meaning that you are never short of power for overtaking. It also does well economy-wise, retuing 20 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on t, ...ادامه مطلب

Behold the quirkiest, funkiest, most interesting SUV in the market today! The new DS 7 Crossback gears up for launch in the British market where it is priced from £28,050 to £50,000. That’s a pretty wide range, and that’s because there are 10 different trims to choose from.  Whichever you go for, though, you get the special charm of DS 7 Crossback which is due in large part to its LED VISION lighting system, 3D rear lights, and the rather chunky profile. Granted, this car is nowhere near as wonderfully crazy as the old Citroens we all know and love. But compared to something like the Audi Q5, this thing is still a freakin’ wonderland. The bulk of the effort in making 2018 DS 7 Crossback special has been spent inside the cabin. Here you get five different themes, or Inspirations, to choose from. There is DS Inspiration Bastille featuring textured pattes and padded upholstery, and subtle finishes with warm gold and silver accents, DS Inspiration Rivoli boasting combined with high-end diamond-shaped decoration, DS Inspiration Opéra with nappa leather in basalt black or chestnut brown and DS Inspiration PERFORMANCE LINE with Alcantara trimming. [embedded content] DS 7 is availab, ...ادامه مطلب

2018 Geneva Motor Show in March will see the debut of a semi-hot version of the new Kia Rio. If you were planning to buy one of these hatchbacks you better hold on a little longer and check out the Kia Rio GT-Line before making your decision. It launches in the spring and comes with some nice features.  The biggest highlight of the 2019 Kia Rio GT-Line is of course, its sporty design. As with other new GT-Line models, the Rio gets features such as gloss-black and chrome ‘tiger-nose’ grille, unique GT-Line 17-inch alloy wheels, and ‘ice-cube’ LED fog lamps. There is also twin exhaust tips, LED daytime running lights, chrome window trim, a gloss black roof spoiler and sill highlights. So what we have here is a little city runabout with the looks and attitude of a hot hatch. Inside the cabin you will find black synthetic leather and cloth seats with contrast grey stitching, ‘D-cut’ leather steering wheel, metallic trim surrounds on the door switches and gear lever, and carbon-look trims on the dashboard. It is a nice plays in which to enjoy the performance of Kia Rio GT-Line’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi engine. It delivers 118 bhp , with 171 Nm of torque, and retus 60.1 mpg, ...ادامه مطلب

It was not exactly a secret that an extra-hot version of the 488 was in the works deep inside Ferrari factory in Maranello, especially since Porsche released their GT2 RS last year. Now the first complete picture of this beast has leaked and we get our first look at the new 2019 Ferrari 488 GTO. And in case you are in a hurry to know, it has 700 horsepower.  Ferrari 488 GTO is the successor to the 360 Challenge Stradale, the 430 Scuderia, and the 458 Speciale. But this one is apparently so good, they went ahead and gave it the venerated GTO badge. The name has not yet been confirmed officially, but a lot people are calling it that. So it is almost certainly the official name. Now, those three letters hark back to what is possibly the most glorious part of Ferrari’s history and perhaps the entire automotive culture. So the new boy had better be damn good, or Ferrari will get some serious stick from their hard-core fans. But of course it is gong to be awesome in every way, this 488 GTO, because it’s a new Ferrari. Sources tells us 2019 Ferrari 488 GTO is a hard and stiff race car built for the streets, so in that sense at least not much has changed since the Stradale days. Other , ...ادامه مطلب

Those of familiar with the previous generations of Kia’s affordable compact, the Forte – also known as Cerato in some markets – are not going to believe this is the new version. It just looks too good to be a Forte. But this is it, the new and much improved 2019 Kia Forte sedan.  The reason for the new Forte’s cool looks is its big brother, the Stinger sports sedan. Designers have downsized that car and stripped some of the fancy bits. And voila, here’s your 2019 Kia Forte, looking cool and sophisticated. Improvements are more than skin deep, however, as the new model also features more tech, more spacious and better efficiency. [embedded content] Built rigidly to become a top safety performer this year, the 2019 Kia Forte also has better NVH levels than its predecessor. We’re just not sure what this extra stiffness means for ride comfort, which was always a big flaw with the previous generations of this car. But at least if it’s harsh, the new Forte will be nicer to drive thanks to an improved Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system. Kia has picked a 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine for this car, which can be had with either a six-speed manual or Kia’s all-new Intelligent V, ...ادامه مطلب

Starting today, the new extra-well-equipped Kia Picanto X-Line goes on sale in the UK with a base price of £12,595. Unveiled at the IAA last year, the X-Line comes with a number of exclusive exterior and interior appointments, plus more standard equipment.  2018 Kia Picanto X-Line comes with a 1.25-litre petrol engine (83bhp and 122 Nm of torque) and five-speed manual gearbox, with a four-speed automatic transmission available for an additional £650. You get a combined fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg out of this engine, corresponding to CO2 emissions that are as low as 106g/km (manual). So the car is pretty to cheap to run. But it doesn’t look it, thanks to the X-Line design highlights such as lime green accents around the lights, black side sills and wheel arches, body color door handles and 16 inch wheels. As for the interior and equipment, Kia Picanto X-Line boasts lime green stitching, 7.0-inch ‘floating’ touchscreen with DAB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, unique grey faux leather upholstery, a central armrest, satin chrome interior door handles and stainless-steel pedals with rubber inserts, in addition to cruise control with speed limiter, automatic air condi, ...ادامه مطلب

The electric concept Kia promised they would reveal at the Consumer Electronics Show tued out to be something more familiar than we were expecting. The Kia Niro EV Concept is a fully electric version of the Niro Hybrid, and it is but one of a total of 16 electrified vehicles Kia is going to launch by 2025. Now, the Niro we know is an alright-looking compact SUV. It’s not that pretty, but it’s also not weird like it’s electric cousin. Granted, Kia Niro EV is a concept for now. But there is no denying that it is a fairly unsightly thing to look at. But it is aerodynamically-efficient they say, and the cues you see on it, such as the slim lights, will be featured on other future cars as a hallmark of Kia’s electrified models. [embedded content] Kia Niro EV is a highly advanced in terms of technology features, boasting a new Active Pedestrian Waing System (APWS) that features a combination of front view cameras, object recognition technology and front speakers. Because electric cars are virtually silent, this system tries to detect cyclists or pedestrians and alert them of the presence of the car with visual and audible alarms. As for the powertrain, the car gets a high-capacit, ...ادامه مطلب

Along with its sister company Hyundai, Kia Motors is coming to CES 2018 with a futuristic, technologically-advanced concept model. This as yet unnamed EV concept is mostly about showcasing Kia’s advances in electric powertrains and autonomous driving, but it also appears to be have a rather interesting design.  The main highlights of the Las Vegas-bound Kia EV concept include a highly efficient battery-electric powertrain, never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI) and an advanced new ‘motion graphic’ lighting system. What’s more, Kia will showcase ‘Beyond Autonomous Driving’ exhibit in which we lea about “outline the company’s plans for vehicle autonomy and mobility, supported by the introduction of upcoming autonomous drive technologies.” Yet another attraction of Kia’s display at CES is the three interactive, cockpit-style exhibits showcasing advanced driver assistance technologies, new user interface, and world’s first in-car 5G connection. “Virtual reality, self-driving cars, and full vehicle connectivity were all once considered technologies of the distant future. As they rapidly become a reality, Kia is exploring how to adapt these new technologies for its custo, ...ادامه مطلب

The long wheelbase version of the Tiguan SUV, known simply as the VW Tiguan Allspace, is now available to order in the UK. The extra-practical vehicle comes with a longer wheelbase for added luggage capacity and third-row seats as its main highlights.  The difference in length in 2018 VW Tiguan Allspace compared to the standard model is significant (4,701 mm vs 4,486 mm). But even so the third row of fold-flat seats are labeled “occasional” meaning exactly what it says on the tin. As for luggage space, with five occupants and the third-row folded you get 700 liters, with seven people in it you get 230 liters, and with only two people and the rest of the seats folded a whopping 1,775 litres. [embedded content] 2018 VW Tiguan Allspace hits UK showrooms in three trim levels: SE Navigation, SEL (luxury) and R-Line (sporty). Standard kit across all models include 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors and 3Zone climate control, Discover Navigation infotainment system with an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen, satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Assist, Front Assist and City emergency braking. [embedded content] The choice of engines for the Allspace ar, ...ادامه مطلب

Kia’s full-size SUV, the Sorento, was a bit of a miss and hit with its first couple of generations. The current model, though, is a quality product in every aspect, and that is why they felt it didn’t need major changes for the new modelyear. The 2018 Kia Sorento hits the British market with a new 8-speed auto box and new GT-Line and GT-Line S variants. Priced from £28,995, the 2018 Kia Sorento is definitely not the cheapest SUV out there. But it could be, all things considered, one of the best value-for-money ones. The 7-seater is available in UK with only one engine, but it’s a good one. The 197bhp 2.2-litre turbodiesel tus all four wheels with a lot of gusto thanks to its sizable 441 Nm of torque. What’s more, all models have Kia’s Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) engine stop/start system, adding to the engine’s efficiency which does 43.5mpg average with the new 8-speed automatic transmission. [embedded content] You are also well covered in the new Sorento technology-wise, having Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Waing, Around View Monitoring, Driver Alert Waing and Speed Limit Information Function. As for the , ...ادامه مطلب

Before they shut down for the holidays Mazda North American Operations decided to announce the specs and details of the upgraded 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata so you can spend your Christmas dreaming about it. You won’t have to wait too long though, as the 2018 Miata goes on sale in early January, priced from $25,295. As for the new stuff the 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes with, customers can choose between a new Dark Cherry or Black soft top, Aubu-colored interior and Nappa leather seating. These, formerly special edition items for the Launch version, can now be ordered for Grand Touring model. Changes are not just cosmetic, as the new Miata also gets re-tuned rear suspension and power steering for better handling. [embedded content] Those wanting more tech gadgetry in their car will be glad to know 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata comes with a standard MAZDA CONNECT infotainment system with 7-inch full-color touchscreen display, multi-function Commander and HD Radio connectivity, plus Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry. The base Sport trim ($25,295) also boasts LED lights, cloth bucket seats, leather-wrapped shift knob and handbrake, Bluetooth phone pairing and audio streaming, dual cupholders an, ...ادامه مطلب

During the NIO Day event in China – at Beijing Wukesong Arena, to be precise – the new EV startup announced the official launch of the NIO ES8 Electric SUV in the Chinese market. This is a very important product, not just because of its excellent specs and details, but also because it is a threat to the biggest EV maker of all, Tesla.  It is only available in China for now, but when NIO ES8 reaches the global market it is going to challenge the authority of Tesla Model X. And since these EV has fairly similar builds, an upcoming mid-size sedan could similarly render the Model 3 rather pointless. The reason for that is very simple: price. The ES8 launches in China for the equivalent of $65,000, thereabouts. In comparison, the cheapest Model X starts at $75,000. What is more, the ES8 offers some truly ingenious battery solutions to reduce range anxiety and charging hassle. [embedded content] The battery rental plan for NIO ES8 Electric SUV offers battery upgrading services, along with quality assurance, roadside assistance, car connectivity, and nationwide charging services. There is also NIO Power, a plan in which you can swap the empty battery for a full one in just three , ...ادامه مطلب

Mercedes-Benz UK announced the official pricing of the new 2018 Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet family. It may seem like odd timing giving the weather right now, but you see they are not taking orders for these bad boys in preparation for the spring 2018 launch. So it’ll all work out. The new S-Cabrio comes out just the weather becomes suitable for alfresco motoring.  So let’s see how much the privilege of enjoying the new 2018 Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet will cost you. The minimum you have to pay to get into one of these is £115,910. That is the price of the “entry-level” S560 model which replaces the S500 and brings with it a new 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine. You get 469 hp and 700 Nm of torque, a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. Not that it matters, but average fuel consumption is 31.4 mpg with 204 g/km of CO2. [embedded content] Next up we have the magnificent 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 UK-spec. 612 hp and 900 Nm is the power you get from the 4.0 liter biturbo V8 in this one, via the AMG Speedshift MCT 9G-Tronic nine-speed gearbox which makes possible 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds. Prices for the S63 start at £140,610. If you’re still not satisfied, ...ادامه مطلب

With the world premiere of the all-new 2019 Mercedes G-Class set for the Detroit Auto Show in January, the German automaker is giving us a Christmas treat. They have released a bunch of photos completely revealing the SUV’s interior design. And it’s a fine blend of old and new, incorporating the current design themes of Mercedes-Benz into the unique shape of the G-Wagen‘s upright dashboard.  To be honest an upgrade to the big G’s cabin was long overdue. They did give it a new steering or a fancy screen now and then, but the overhaul that comes with the 2019 Mercedes G-Class is a real improvement in terms of design and ergonomics. There is more space in the new cabin, more luxury and comfort features, and fewer sharp edges that could seriously hurt you in the event of an accident. The main highlights include a new dashboard, instrument panel and center console in line with other Mercedes products of this era, plus new steering wheel, infotainment screen and seats. The iconic features, such as the grab handle in front of the passenger or the chrome-highlighted switches for the differential locks have been preserved. The driving position is also pure G-Wagen, giving you a co, ...ادامه مطلب

A headier, sportier version of Skoda’s popular crossover, the Kodiaq, will be ready for delivery to UK customers in February. On this occasion the Czech automaker announced the pricing and specifications of the highly anticipated Skoda Kodiaq SportLine, revealing a base price of £32,685. Now that might seem to some a searingly high sum, but Skoda Kodiaq SportLine comes with so much kit, it really isn’t hard justifying its price tag. You get a full exterior package consisting of 20-inch Vega Anthracite alloy wheels, deeper front and rear sport bumpers, and black accents on the radiator grille, roof rails, door mirror housings and side window trims. Inside, too, you get extras such as leather sports steering wheel, carbon effect dashboard and door inserts, along with Alcantara-trimmed sports bucket seats and door panels. [embedded content] Another highlight of 2018 Skoda Kodiaq SportLine is the wide range of available drivetrain options. You can choose between four units, all-wheel-drive is standard on all of them, and there is even a DSG transmission options. Teh dual-clutch affair is fitted as standard on the 2.0 TSI 180PS and 2.0 TDI 190PS, while the 1.4 TSI 150PS and 2.0, ...ادامه مطلب