Hyundai has chosen to go bold with the new Tucson family SUV, due to go on sale in the UK early in 2021.

The unmistakably sharp-edged styling has a further surprise too – unique ‘hidden lights’ replace conventional headlights.

They are invisible when off, hidden within the grille. When turned on, the half-mirror LED tech “transforms into jewel-like shapes”.

The complex shape features further ‘parametric jewels’ throughout, which Hyundai says come directly from the 2019 Hyundai Vision T SUV concept.

Inside, things are calmer, and based around what Hyundai calls segment-leading technology.

In the centre of the dash, there is a 10.25-inch HD screen, allowing all physical knobs and buttons to be eliminated.

The rest of the interior has also been decluttered and Hyundai has even removed the cluster around the instruments, with a freestanding screen taking their place.

Multi-Air Mode climate control uses new indirect air vents, giving a gentler air flow. Hyundai says it “soften the air” and feels more luxurious.

On a more practical note, the boot is up to 107 litres larger, with a maximum of 620 litres.

Hyundai Tucson: under the skin

Hyundai is offered an adaptive suspension option on the new Tucson, alongside standard setups – and even the conventional dampers have new, more sophisticated valve technology.

The firm claims the broadest range of electrified powertrains in the sector, with three electrified motors alongside regular petrol and diesel.

There are petrol and diesels all with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. Pick from a 1.6 T-GDI with either 150hp or 180hp, or a 1.6 CRDi diesel with 136hp.

There are various gearbox options and a choice of front- and all-wheel drive.

There’s also a hybrid 1.6 T-GDI, and a plug-in hybrid petrol offering 265hp.

Hyundai indicates entry-level engines will be regular petrol and diesels without 48-volt mild hybrid tech.

There will also be a sporty N Line trim version, which might be announced just ahead of the car’s UK launch in early 2021.

Hyundai’s best-selling SUV in the world, the launch of the new Tucson is an important one for the firm.

It’s safe to say, on looks alone, it won’t be one that will pass unnoticed.

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1 in 4 parents admit to illegal engine idling on the school run

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A new study predicts a significant rise in the number of parents driving their children to school, with more than six in 10 saying COVID has increased the likelihood of using the car.

However, more than 1 in 4 also leave their car idling during the school run, which is leaving experts worried about the impact on air quality outside schools.

1 in 3 children are already growing up breathing unsafe levels of air pollution.

• RELATED: How to drive safely on the school run

The biggest reason for parents leaving engines idling and producing excessive tailpipe emissions is a lack of parking outside schools. The predicted rise in the number of cars on the school run will only make this worse.

A quarter admitted not switching the engine off was because they wanted to keep the heater or air con running.

The problem is being exacerbated because six in 10 parents don’t know that leaving their car idling is illegal.

Rule 123 of the Highways Code outlaws it and parents are at risk of an £80 fixed penalty fine.

Renault is now aiming to address the problem with a new campaign called ‘Be Mindful, Don’t Idle’.

“Every minute a car is idling, it produces enough emissions to fill 150 balloons,” said Renault’s Matt Shirley.

“This is not about demonising the school run. Our study underlines the importance, even more so since lockdown, of the car.

“We just want parents and guardians to be mindful of the detrimental impact of idling, and to alter their behaviours for their own children and those around them.”

Watch: Renault Be Mindful, Don’t Idle campaign

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Jaguar F-Pace facelifted, gains plug-in hybrid

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The facelifted Jaguar F-Pace SUV is now on sale with extensive updates including a much-improved interior and plug-in hybrid version offering sub-50g/km CO2.

The extensive package of revisions also includes new 3.0-litre six-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel engines, and an updated 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with mild hybrid tech.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace is identified by a cleaner look, helped by an all-new bonnet that eliminates the shutline above the front grille.

LED lights are slimmer, the grille is bigger, and there are new Jaguar ‘leaper’ emblems on the side vents.

The interior is a big step on, Jaguar acknowledging the original F-Pace interior wasn’t good enough.

The centrepiece is a new freestanding 11.4-inch curved glass HD touchscreen mounted in a magnesium alloy casing. This uses JLR’s latest Pivi Pro infotainment system.

There are far more soft-touch materials and better attention to detail, while both the door casings and the seats are new.

The climate control system even includes a ‘Purify’ button that filters out ultra-fine PM2.5 particulates.

Plug-in F-Pace

The plug-in F-Pace is called P400e PHEV. It combines a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor and 17.1kWh battery, for a system total of 404hp.

CO2 emissions start from 49g/km and official fuel economy is up to 130.2mpg. 0-60mph takes 5.0 seconds and it will travel up to 33 miles on a full charge.

Mild hybrid technology for the 163hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel improves economy to 45.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 163g/km.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel averages 38.1mpg, emits 194g/km and will do 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds.

Every 2021 Jaguar F-Pace uses all-wheel drive and has an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Better refinement is promised too, with the F-Pace becoming the first car in its segment to feature active road noise cancellation.

The 2021 F-Pace also offers a Guardian Mode security feature. Owners can set times when the car will be inactive: if there’s a disturbance during this time, they’ll get a popup alert to their smartphone.

The feature is designed to reassure owners worried about keyless car theft.

Prices for the facelifted 2021 Jaguar F-Pace start from £40,860 for an entry-level D165 AWD. The P400e is priced from £56,060. Ordering is open now.

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Emissions from Uber rides are 41 percent higher than the average privately owned vehicle, a new report reveals.  

The significantly higher carbon emissions are because of the time Uber drivers spend without passengers in their vehicles.

In response, Uber has pledged to make all its rides in North America and Europe 100 percent zero emissions by 2030. It is also targeting 100 percent electric trips in London by 2025, and 50 percent of trips in Europe to be zero-emissions.

The FT has analysed Uber’s first-ever environmental impact report, looking at trips taken in the US and Canada between 2017 and 2019.

Improved algorithms had reduced emissions per passenger mile – but they were still significantly higher than regular vehicles.

Uber, however, insisted the service was still more environmentally friendly than driving a vehicle one-up, as well as other taxi services.

“This is a start and we expect to be judged by our actions,” said Uber CEO Dara Khosrowashahi.

Electrifying Uber

As part of its move towards electric cars, Uber has signed an MoU with the Renault Nissan Alliance to provide Uber drivers with affordable EVs, such as the Nissan Leaf pictured above.

A pilot is already operating in London, offering Uber App drivers access to cost-effective electric cars.

This will be extended to France later this year, then to the Netherlands, Portugal and other markets.

The aim is to give Uber users the chance to select a zero-emissions vehicle in 80 percent of European Uber regions by the end of 2021.

“By teaming up with Uber in the UK, we have already been able to increase the awareness and adoption of zero-emission vehicles, and we are looking forward to exploring how to roll that out further in Europe,” said Nissan Europe’s Jordi Vila

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Land Rover has introduced a plug-in hybrid version of the new Defender, which combines 27 miles of pure electric driving with 404hp and 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.

The new Defender P400e also averages 85.3mpg and emits 74g/km CO2 in official tests.

Combining a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 105kW electric motor (and 19.2kWh battery), Land Rover says the new Defender PHEV can be driven in pure electric mode even when running in off-road-biased low-range mode – for 100 percent zero emissions off-roading.

Charging via the standard Mode 3 (wallbox charger) cable tops it up to 80 percent capacity in two hours. There’s an optional Mode 2 (three-pin plug) cable that takes seven hours.

The Defender P400e Plug-in Hybrid is also compatible with 50kW rapid chargers, where recharging to 80 percent capacity takes 30 minutes.

Land Rover’s electrified Defender is offered with the five-door 110 bodystyle, with either five or six seats. Impressively, it is still capable of towing 3,000kg.

Land Rover has yet to reveal prices for the Defender P400e, which arrives as part of the 2021 model year updates for the new vehicle.

Defender 90, six-cylinder on sale

The three-door Land Rover Defender 90 is now on sale, with prices starting from £43,625 (compared with £45,315 for the five-door Defender 110).

Land Rover suggests it’s the more suitable choice for urban dwellers, thanks to a turning circle of 11.3 metres.

Despite its more compact dimensions, the Defender 90 can still seat up to six people, with the addition of a middle-row front seat.

A smooth six-cylinder diesel Defender is now available, too. The D300 produces 300hp and will do 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds in Defender 90 guise. With a whopping 479lb ft of pulling power, Land Rover says the surge of torque ‘perfectly fits the Defender’s tough character’.

Surprisingly, Land Rover has swapped the current four-cylinder D200 and D240 turbodiesel engines for detuned versions of the new in-line six-cylinder. Both return economy of 32.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 230g/km.

Other updates for 2021 include the launch of commercial vehicle Hard Top van versions of both Defender 90 and Defender 110.

The 90 Hard Top costs from £35,820 plus VAT, and the Defender 110 is priced from £43,012 plus VAT.

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