Peugeot will wow the 2019 Geneva Motor Show with the all-new 208 supermini range – which includes, from launch, an all-electric e-208 model boasting a range of more than 200 miles.
The Peugeot e-208 will be a strong performer, boasting a 135hp electric motor (that’s more power than a retro Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9). It also has a 50kWh electric battery, with an official WLTP driving range of 211 miles.
An all-new platform has allowed Peugeot to locate the battery beneath the floor, meaning the e-208 has exactly the same boot space as other versions with internal combustion engines.
If you have time to kill, it can be fully recharged from a domestic plug in 20 hours. Peugeot dealers are likely to steer you to a home charger though; a full charge takes eight hours.
The new Peugeot e-208 also supports rapid charging from 100kW units. An 80 percent charge takes less than 30 minutes.
Peugeot will also sell the new 208 with three flavours of 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine: 75hp, 100hp or 130hp, the latter coming as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Bravely, Peugeot will also offer a 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 diesel, although almost nobody is expected to buy it.
Pretty Peugeot
The design of the new Peugeot 208 is as headline-grabbing as the e-208 electric model that’s offered from launch. It’s distinctive, curvaceous and cute. Whereas Renault has taken the evolutionary route with the new Clio, its French rival is going for a bigger, bolder step on.
All models have a large chrome grille and Peugeot’s ‘3-claw’ full LED lighting signature. Note the 208 logo on the nose, sitting above a big Peugeot lion. Harking back to the classic 205 are model grade badges placed within a stamp on the rear pillar.
Eye-popping new colours include Faro Yellow, Vertigo Blue and Elixir Red. GT Line and GT models are more distinctive still, with gloss black wheelarch extensions and window surrounds.
As for the e-208, this is identified by an ‘e’ monogram on the rear panel, body-colour chequered grille and a dichromic lion badge which changes colour depending on the angle you’re viewing it.
It’s distinctive inside as well, with an evolution of the Peugeot 3D i-Cockpit, marked out by its tiny steering wheel, ‘head up display’ instruments and either a 7-inch or 10-inch HD colour touchscreen in the centre.
Satin chrome ‘piano’ toggle switches are a premium touch, as is a fully padded dashboard with central carbon finish.
Peugeot will give the new 208 and e-208 their public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week (yes, Peugeot IS attending), ahead of an online reservation site going live in late March. Ordering will open in late summer 2019.
Lexus launched its first petrol-electric hybrid in 2005; today, it sells 11 different hybrid models. And in 2018, new models helped the firm’s hybrid sales grow 20 percent.
Last year, Lexus sold almost 700,000 new cars globally, 4.5 percent up on 2017. This was the company’s best-ever year for sales, and international president Yoshihiro Sawa reckons the firm won’t be easing up this year.
“Lexus continues to enjoy substantial growth around the world, expanding its footprint in emerging markets as well as reaffirming its strength in established ones.
“The brand’s clear focus on amazing products and guest experiences provided by the finest dealers will support its global growth for years to come.”
Authors are immortalised in print, musicians are immortalised on vinyl, cars are immortalised in Lego. At least that’s how it seems at the moment, with the number of incredible cars you can now pick up in Lego form. The latest addition is the classic 1967 Ford Mustang, available in Lego Creator Expert form from the beginning of March 2019.
Lego models are usually a bit hit and miss when it comes to accurately replicating cars but the Mustang is certainly one of the better efforts. The famous pony car’s robust cuboidal proportions lend themselves well to recreation in brick model form.
Made up of 1,470 pieces, the Creator Expert Mustang has a particular party piece, because all these models do. In tribute to its status as the darling of the modified muscle car scene in the ‘60s, the Lego recreation is ‘highly customisable’. Side exhausts, an enormous supercharger, a ducktail spoiler, chin spoiler and nitrous oxide tanks come with ‘for an authentic muscle car build experience’.
In terms of detail, the Lego ‘Stang comes with working steering, viewable engine, openable doors and trunk and rollable wheels. It measures 10 centimetres high, 34 centimetres long and 14 centimetres wide, so is a bit more compact than the bonkers Chiron…
Now all we need to know is how much. The new Lego Creator Expert Ford Mustang can be yours for £119.99 in the UK. One would look good alongside our Chiron…
“The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic, symbolic cars in history – and to bring this fan favourite muscle car to life in brick form, with this level of customisation, has been exhilarating,” said Jamie Berard, Design Lead on LEGO Creator Expert. “We can’t wait to see our LEGO and Ford Mustang fans’ own creations when they get their hands on this new set.”
This March, all roads lead to Geneva as the world’s car manufacturers gather in the Swiss city for some #GIMSSWISS action. When we say all roads, we really mean the huge E62 running from Nantes to Genoa.
But while dozens of carmakers pull the wraps off the cars you’ve already seen in a flood of pre-show ‘teaser’ images, some manufacturers will be at home enjoying a lie-in as Palexpo throws opens its doors for the 89th Geneva International Motor Show.
Here are some of the big names not attending the Geneva Motor Show. #GIMSMISS
Ford
Ford was one of the big names absent from Paris, but although the Blue Oval still considers Geneva to be an important show, it won’t be in Switzerland next month. “We looked at all the things we had to do in 2019, and we’ve got a lot of stuff coming,” a spokesperson told Autocar.
“Rather than go to Geneva with relatively small news, we would rather do something later that would give us more bang for our buck. I don’t anticipate this will be a regular thing, though,” he continued.
No doubt Ford will be using the time to prepare for the imminent launch of the 280hp Focus ST, with an all-new Kuga ST expected to land before the end of the year. The Mondeo is also due a facelift, while work is underway on a new Ranger.
Hyundai
“Hyundai will not be attending [the] Geneva this year,” a company spokesperson told CarBuzz, but it’s not about to let sister brand Kia steal the Swiss limelight.
In a press release, Hyundai has announced that it will unveil its first performance-themed SUV “in the near future”, with everything pointing to a Tucson N-Line. Not a full-fat hot SUV to rival the Cupra Ateca – there’s a difference between N and N-Line – but you can expect a variety of sporty trimmings.
Hyundai is also gearing up for the launch of the Nexo fuel-cell vehicle, with the promise of up to 400 miles of range from a hydrogen tank that will take a few minutes to refuel. We just have to hope that the infrastructure required for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles catches up.
In the meantime, the i30 Fastback N is about to hit UK showrooms, with everything suggesting that it will be every bit as good as the i30 N, which was one of our favourite cars of 2018.
Jaguar Land Rover
Fresh from announcing pre-tax losses of £3.4 billion and news that it would cut around 4,500 jobs from its UK workforce, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) could do with an injection of positivity.
In light of flagging sales, Jaguar needs to decide what to do with the XE and XF models – a report in Autocar suggests they could be merged into one single saloon. Jag desperately needs the I-Pace electric SUV to live up to its undoubted promise, but it faces a challenge from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
Vauxhall/Opel
While Peugeot and Citroen will represent PSA in Geneva, there’s no place for Vauxhall/Opel. One could argue that an international motor show is an ideal venue at which to showcase a revitalised product line-up, but the French owners see things differently.
Which is a shame, because the electric 2019 Corsa has the potential to be a hugely important car for the brand, capable of reversing the recent fall in sales for the beleaguered brand. We’re not sure a facelifted Astra will have the same effect.
“The ongoing change in the car industry is creating new audiences for Volvo Cars and new ways of bringing products to the market,” explained Björn Annwall, senior vice president of strategy, brand and retail at Volvo Cars.
“Automatic attendance at traditional industry events is no longer viable – we must tailor our communications based on how the options complement our messaging, timing and the nature of the technology we are presenting.”
Not that Volvo is in need of the exposure. Hardly a week seems to pass without the Swedish company picking up an award for one of its SUVs, most notably the XC40.
Furthermore, while the car industry appears to be swimming against a tide of falling sales, Volvo simply goes with the flow. Global sales grew 16.7 percent in January 2019, with European sales up 24.4 percent.
Other Geneva absentees include Alpine, Infiniti, Lotus and Tesla, but fear not, because we’ll be out there in force to bring you the latest news and scoops. That’s assuming there’s actually some new news to report on.
The world needs another performance SUV like it needs another reality TV programme, a Michael Buble album or a president with a penchant for walls. Which means the Cupra Formentor should be as welcome as a toaster in the bath.
Indeed, I received news of the Formentor via a friend, with a supporting comment along the lines of “Arrgh, another pointless fast SUV.”
I was tempted to respond with a knowing nod emoji – I know I shouldn’t be using emojis at my age – but on this occasion, I was prepared to leave my mind, if not entirely open, then slightly ajar. Crikey, the Cupra Formentor actually looks rather appealing.
Or maybe it’s just me?
Stick it alongside the existing Cupra Ateca and it’s like comparing a running shoe with a heavy boot. If nothing else, it highlights what Cupra could achieve if it’s given free rein. Ask yourself this: does the Formentor look like a product of the Volkswagen Group? I’d suggest it doesn’t, and it’s been a while since we’ve been able to say that about the glut of SUVs from the German giant.
La Tormenta
Sure, there are hints of other brands in the styling. A touch of Alfa Romeo here, a bit of Mazda there, with glimpses of Lexus chucked in for good measure. The Cupra badge will always look like a hastily-produced afterthought, but the Formentor’s rear end is muscular and almost attractive. Almost.
Two hundred words into this automotive confessional, it’s time to talk about the name. In keeping with Seat’s naming strategy, Formentor is a beautiful sun-kissed peninsula on the island of Majorca, but Cupra may have missed a trick here.
Change the ‘F’ to a ‘T’ and you have one of the greatest car names on the planet. The Cupra Tormentor: perfect for chasing down unsuspecting Porsche Macan and Skoda Kodiaq vRS drivers. If it’s good enough for Mater, it’s good enough for Cupra.
The press release for the ‘Tormentor’ says a lot without giving much away, but the concept will make its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. At its heart is a 245hp plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a pure electric mode delivering up to 30 miles of zero-emissions range.
Inside, the Formentor looks remarkably restrained and tasteful, with the dashboard dominated by a 10-inch ‘floating’ display and a digital cockpit similar to that in the Cupra Ateca. The badge on the steering wheel has the whiff of an aftermarket accessory, mind.
Give the people what they want
I’m sure we’d all like Cupra to build a driver-focused three-door coupe, but that market is about as buoyant as a rock in a paddling pool. And a Cupra sports car would be nice, if only to give motoring journos the opportunity to say it’s not as good as a Mazda MX-5 or a Porsche 718 Cayman, depending on the power output.
A crossover with a sloping roof, bling wheels and an infotainment screen the size of a television set thus makes perfect sense, because that’s what people want and are buying.
I’m not sure I’ll be joining the ‘tribes’ forming a queue to buy a Formentor when it goes on sale in 2020 – my heart belongs to the Volvo XC40 – but I doff my Cordovan hat to Cupra for forging ahead with plans to create its first standalone car.
Now if you’ll excuse me, the bathwater has gone cold and the toast just popped up.
The beautiful parts of the UK that are nestled within the throws of quaint villages and rolling fields create some truly magical spots for car fans. Hertfordshire, for example, is ripe with facilities that service, restore and sell some of the most desirable motorcars ever built.
If you want the best of the best, look no further than Bell Classics. We took a visit to its showroom and workshop – a little slice of supercar heaven.
In its 30 years in business, Bell Classics has gone from being an Austin-Healey dealer to a fully-fledged classic and exotic sales and restoration specialist, with a specific focus on Ferraris and Aston Martins.
If you’re fortunate enough to be in the care of a barn-find Aston Martin DB4, Ferrari 330, or anything else of a similar vintage that’s Maranello-flavoured or Superleggera-badged, Bell Classics ranks as one of the best places to go. Whether it’s for a full re-commission or a touch of paint and engine work, they’ve pretty much got you covered.
Through the gates
You can normally infer the quality of a dealer’s in-door stock by what it’s got ‘languishing’ outside. As we trundled through the gates and up Bell’s driveway, we knew we about to tuck into an ultra-exclusive chocolate box of machinery.
The first car we could make out? Only a Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica – yes, the ultra-exclusive open-top version that saw out the 575 before the 599 took the reins as Ferrari’s premier super GT. Then, Enzo Ferrari’s own personal express – the 330 GT 2+2. The Series 1 was a company car favourite for Il Commendatore.
The showroom
Walking into the showroom, we were immediately greeted by Bell’s own Ferrari 360 Challenge car. Previously raced in a private GT series, it’s now up for sale. Across the way, a beautiful pairing: Ferrari 330 GTC and Aston Martin DB5 Vantage – a 60s signature GT dish that just so happens to be Bell’s speciality.
Aston Martin DB5 ‘Vantage specification’
As DB5s go, this is one of the nicest we’ve seen and is a testament to the comprehensive restoration it’s enjoyed. Its Sierra Blue paintwork is flawless, covering the ripple-less perfectly panel-beaten alloy bodywork with the depth of an Icelandic lake. Inside, it’s aged like a fine wine – a pristine 60s boutique cruiser.
Movie star Ferrari 330 GTC
The 330 GTC is the classy, pretty dark horse of Ferrari’s 60s lineup. While 250 SWB and GTO models lapped up the competition limelight, the GTC was the ultimate gentleman’s express of choice. Now, they’re very desirable.
This Grigio Argento car has recently undergone a full bare-metal restoration. Previously a Hollywood star, it appeared in American Gangster and School for Scoundrels.Today, it’s commanding over half a million pounds, even as a left-hand drive car…
The inner sanctum
You could spend hours poring over the Challenge car, the 330 and the Aston DB5, but behind the racer is a thin descent down some stairs, above which is mounted a giant Bugatti badge. Yes, we want to go down there…
Matt, director at Bell Classics, leads the way. To our right in this compact garage-doored room is a nice seating area. To our left, an Aston Martin DB4 Volante, A Ferrari Dino and a Ferrari 512 BB all stunningly presented. All of these cars are sublime but the Berlinetta Boxer, to our eyes, rendered them somewhat invisible…
Ferrari 512 BB
Any 512 Berlinetta Boxer is a special thing. Featuring a flat 12-cylinder engine inspired by Scuderia-badged racing cars of the era, the BB is a wide-hipped and wedge-sided totem of Ferrari supercar history. This one has got to be one of the most special.
It features an upgraded engine, in ‘LM’ spec. This saw the power rise from over 360hp to over 440hp. This came via the installation of individual inlet trumpets and snorkels to match, among other things. Wider rear wheels and LM bodywork deliver a delicious stance. You want it? You won’t get much change out of £300,000.
Behind the scenes
No more car-by-car breakdowns, as the shops are chock with customer cars. Bell can take your classic in, pull the engine out, strip it down to the block and recommission it, good as new. We walk through into the engine room.
A Ferrari Challenge engine is sat on the side, an Aston Martin straight-six on a stand, and another Ferrari engine on a palette. On a cabinet, valves, valve springs pistons (numbered) and the kind of distinctive cam covers that could only belong to a Ferrari.
That’s where the ‘Testa Rossa’ name comes from, by the way, directly translating to ‘red head’. Even the paper towel dispenser on the wall has a prancing horse on it.
Intricate engine innards lay across a workbench – the inlet trumpets, manifolds, studs and cam gears from a race-spec Lancia Fulvia.
Walk through into a room to the side and more components from the very same Fulvia can be seen. The subframe, bell housing and suspension assembly, sat directly below the car to which all these bits belong. It’s going through a significant recommission.
In a larger room, a selection of ramps and workspaces. Side by side, two 1960s V12 Ferraris – 330s again, we believe. Further down, a 400 coupe is going through some engine testing. To our eyes, these wedge-generation GTs are looking better and better.
The deeper inner workings
Bell Classics is something of a labyrinth. You have a look around one garage, only to find another across the way and down a hill, chock full of tantalising machinery. A five-ramp room has a selection of V8 Berlinettas as well as a lone 550 up in the air.
An F430 Challenge car sits alongside a Group 4 specification 328, offering a unique comparison of Ferrari V8 racers from generations apart. Brakes and aero have come a long way. The paint and body shop is similarly littered with priceless exotica – from 360 to 330 GT 2+2.
575M SuperAmerica – a closer look
Before we parted ways with Bell Classics, we had to get the SuperAmerica out for a closer look. It’s a special car in a truly stunning spec – Argento Nurburgring is a stunning subtle silver and matches the dark cabin perfectly. This 2006 car features the desirable HGTC performance package, with stiffened suspension, a sports exhaust and ceramic brakes.
Parting impressions
Bell Classics gives off the aura of a family-run boutique of classic and exotic car sales, twinned with serious provenance for restoration and maintenance. Its atmosphere is personal, but its capability and skill levels are industrial.
Its proximity is local, quite literally for us here in Hertfordshire, but its work and inventory is of an international standard. It’s a stunning cubby of classics and exotica to have hidden away in the wilds of Hertfordshire.
It’s a breath of fresh air, if you will, to report some positive news about diesel. ADAC, the German equivalent of the RAC, has uncovered just how clean new clean diesels can be.
The answer? They’re all but NOx-free, with results indicating new Euro 6d diesels are, on average, over eight-times cleaner than the on-road standard, as recorded over a variety of tests.
ADAC has been stringently testing some modern diesels for emissions, using new test conditions and methodology, as well as real-world testing, to yield results that better represent what these cars are actually emitting. They’re promising, with NOx and CO2 readings coming back well within mandated limits.
Putting diesel to the test
On top of the new testing procedures, ADAC added an extra level of difficulty. The cars tested, which included a BMW X2, Peugeot 308, Volvo XC60 and more, were loaded up with 200kg of weight, had the air-con put on full blast and were subjected to a highway cycle. Included in testing was a measurement of exhaust gases during average on-road driving. No cheating the system here…
Not that it would be necessary. As above, the new clean diesels flew through without a hitch. For reference, the regulatory high standard (on a test bench) we’re looking for is below an average of 80mg/km. For road testing, it’s 168 mg/km.
The latest cleaning technology, including selective catalytic reduction and on-demand urea injection, kept the cars comfortably within nitrogen oxide standards. The BMW and Peugeot, running the 20d diesel engine and 2.0 BlueHDi engine respectively, both Euro 6d standard, were particular star performers.
The Peugeot in the WLTC test, Real Drive Emission (RDE), ADAC Ecotest and Autobahn test, got a high recording of 45 mg/km. The BMW got a high of 84 mg/km during the Autobahn testing but massively excelled in the other tests, with a low of just 13 mg/km in the WLTC test.
Both the Peugeot and the BMW produce averages well under 80 over the course of a strong variety of tests, including on-road testing. The Volvo didn’t have it quite so easily. The first three tests saw it perform adequately, but the Autobahn test saw a spike, at 239mg/km. The cause? Good old consumption of fuel – the Volvo used over a litre/100km more than the Peugeot and the X2 during the ADAC Ecotest.
Cold weather NOx testing – almost ZERO?
Cold weather is generally considered to worsen NOx emissions. Tests that included a BMW 520d touring, Citroen Berlingo BlueHDi and an Opel Astra 1.6 D yielded some incredible results.
All three scored under 10mg/km of NOx. The BMW and the Astra registered just one mg/km. The Citroen scored seven mg/km. The highest score out of seven cars tested, by 16mg/km, was the Volvo, with 56 mg/km.
So what’s the overall result?
Overall, the average NOx recording for Euro 6d TEMP-standard diesel cars, over the course of a variety of tests including lab conditions, the real world and cold-weather, was 20mg/km. The real world standard is 168 mg/km. There you have it. An on-average standard that’s 8.4-times lower than the real world standard.
A total of 86 million cars were sold across the world’s 54 top markets in 2018, as global sales fell by 0.5 percent. This is the first time registrations have fallen since 2009, with strong results in India, Brazil, Russia and South East Asia unable to offset stalling sales in Europe, China and the USA. Using data supplied by JATO, we can reveal the world’s best-selling cars of 2018, with the results presented in reverse order. These are the cars to avoid if you’re hoping to stand out from the crowd.
25. Mazda CX-5 – 456,712 registrations
“Last year could be considered as the beginning of a new era for the automotive industry,” said Felipe Munoz, JATO’s global analyst. “The dip in the Chinese market had ramifications upon the rest of the global market in 2018. As China makes up nearly 30 percent of global vehicle sales, any change that happens there is felt across the rest of the world.” The Mazda CX-5 is a new entry at number 25, with registrations up 13 percent.
24. Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 459,778 registrations
Once again, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class manages to creep into the top 25, although registrations are down seven percent. It’s the only premium car to make JATO’s top 25.
23. Volkswagen Lavida – 468,792 registrations
The only car named in honour of a Ricky Martin song secures 23rd place, the Chinese-market Volkswagen saloon seeing sales climb three percent. The Puerto Rican singer will be so proud.
The booted Volkswagen Golf wears a number of different badges across the world but is no longer offered for sale in the UK. Registrations are down 15 percent, which is hardly surprising given the car’s popularity in China and the USA.
Without wishing to state the obvious, the JATO data tells us that the world loves saloons and SUVs. The Nissan Sylphy is one of the most popular cars you’ve never heard of, with registrations up 18 percent – the highest percentage increase in the top 25.
20. Honda Accord – 499,594 registrations
In 2017, Honda shifted 500,687 units across the world, but this figure has fallen below half a million in 2018. “It’s the most impressive Honda yet.” Not our words, but the words of Honda USA.
19. Hyundai Tucson – 511,963 registrations
An 11 percent fall in registrations follows a four percent slump in 2017. Does this suggest the world is falling out of love with the Hyundai Tuscon? Not really, as 511,963 units is a healthy number in a depressed market.
18. Ford Escape/Kuga – 544,827 registrations
Ford will unveil a new Kuga in 2019, with the range expected to be bolstered by the arrival of a plug-in hybrid model and a likely ST variant. It can’t come soon enough, as global registrations are down 16 percent.
17. Wuling Hong Guang – 545,928 registrations
With sales of around four million, the Wuling Hong Guang is an incredibly successful nameplate. The Hong Guang S3 SUV arrived at the end of 2017, but this couldn’t prevent a nine percent slump in registrations.
You might remember the Hyundai Elantra as a car driven by people with no interest in cars. JATO’s figures would suggest there are at least 574,700 non-car people in the world, although this is down from 611,000 registrations in 2017.
15. Nissan Qashqai/Rogue Sport – 586,940 registrations
The Nissan Qashqai – or Rogue Sport in America – remains incredibly popular, with this year’s 13 percent increase in registrations following an 18.9 percent jump in 2017. Ditching the Almera was a good move.
14. Volkswagen Polo – 598,500 registrations
As expected, the Volkswagen Polo has recorded an increase in registration as the new model enjoys its first full year on sale. This follows a slump in 2017.
13. Toyota Camry/Aurion – 622,316 registrations
Visit Toyota’s American website and you’ll be greeted by a detailed section outlining why the Camry beats the Honda Accord. It must be working because while the Accord has seen sales head south, Camry registrations are up seven percent. The Camry will return to the UK in hybrid form in 2019.
12. Volkswagen Tiguan – 622,467 registrations
From eighth place last year, the Volkswagen Tiguan has slipped to 12th, with the launch of the seven-seat Allspace failing to give the SUV the sales injection it required.
11. Ram pick-up – 638,194 registrations
From 14th last year, the Ram pick-up has used its formidable pulling power to haul it to the brink of a top 10 finish. Registrations are up four percent, as it closes in on its Chevrolet rival.
10. Honda HR-V/XR-V/Vezel – 646,144 registrations
Standing between the Ram and a big Chevy is this – the Honda HR-V. It’s a competent compact crossover, but we wouldn’t fancy its chances if it got caught in a death match between two American pick-ups.
9. Chevrolet Silverado – 650,654 registrations
Chevrolet has probably all but given up on chasing the all-conquering Ford F-Series, but it needs to look over its shoulder at a Ram appearing in its rear-view mirror. Silverado registrations are down one percent.
Volkswagen will unveil a new Passat at this year’s Geneva Motor Show as it aims to build on sales close to 30 million since the early 1970s. Last year, some 660,000 Passats were registered, making it the second most popular Volkswagen.
7. Volkswagen Golf – 731,561 registrations
And the most popular Volkswagen was – yes, you’ve guessed it – the Golf. Not that everything is rosy in the land of the Golf, as registrations are down 11 percent. The next-generation model is due soon, though.
6. Honda CR-V – 736,471 registrations
Spoiler alert: five out of the six cars in the top 10 are Japanese, kicking off with the Honda CR-V. Sales are down, but the launch of a new model should reverse things in 2019. That’s if anyone decides to buy a new car this year.
5. Nissan X-Trail/Rogue – 771,145 registrations
From fourth place last year, the Nissan X-Trail – known as the Rogue in the USA – falls one place to fifth. It’s the only car in the top five to record a loss. So we could say the Rogue has gone rogue. But we won’t.
4. Toyota RAV4 – 807,116 registrations
This is surprising because we’d have expected the Toyota RAV4 to see a slump in registrations as the market prepared itself for the launch of the new model. Instead, sales are up four percent as the RAV4 jumps from sixth to fourth.
3. Honda Civic – 812,767 registrations
We hope you’re sitting down because this is about to get exciting. Actually, scrub that, there’s little excitement to be found, so you might want to switch over to watch Grand Antiques Under the Hammer Roadshow. The Honda Civic has moved up from fifth to third.
2. Toyota Corolla – 934,348 registrations
Our man Tim Pitt has just returned from the launch of the Toyota Corolla and he told us on the quiet that he preferred it to the McLaren 600LT. The Corolla remains the second most popular car in the world. One of these sentences is untrue.
1. Ford F-Series – 1,076,153 registrations
The Ford F-Series is the only vehicle to break the million mark – an amazing statistic when you consider that the USA accounted for 84 percent of its sales. Still, with Tim’s glowing review of the Corolla, we expect the Toyota to topple the Ford in 2019…
Evoluto Automobili aims to do for the Ferrari 348 what Singer does for the air-cooled Porsche 911. In its own words, it wants to ‘evolve a future classic’.
In our experience, you never know what to expect with modified classic cars. Quality can range from pricey perfection to something more shoddy. Happily, the Evoluto Ferrari 348 looks to be about as close as you can get to a ‘Singered’ 1990s Ferrari.
But it looks like a Ferrari F355!
A Ferrari 348 serves as the basis for the car, but the aesthetic is very similar to its F355 successor – albeit on steroids. Wider wheels and tyres necessitate a broader stance, in order to put as much as 500hp to the ground.
The exhaust tip design replicates the sports systems seen on later Ferraris, including the 575M, 612 and F430. As per newer mid-engined Ferraris, a clear window to show off the engine is available.
The aerodynamics are a touch more aggressive, with a serious diffuser out-back – similar in style to that used on the current 488. A front splitter joins the broadened F355-esque nose, and looks similar to the black item seen on the F12.
The side scoops are exaggerated, as is the lip spoiler at the back. The rear lights are crisp LED units that appear to be borrowed from the current GTC4Lusso and 812 models.
Overall everything that makes the F355 such a timeless design is applied and honed, but not beyond the boundaries of good taste. Very Singer…
What’s going on underneath?
Although the Evoluto is based on a 348, quite a lot is due to change. The body is completely new and all ‘next-generation’ carbon fibre. That will go some way to reaching an ambitious 1,000kg target weight.
Wider wheels and tyres will, we assume, be complemented by upgraded suspension components and a stiffer chassis.
Will it use a Ferrari engine?
Evoluto actually canvassed its followers on what engine would best suit the car. What they’ve gone with is the 360 lump, extensively upgraded to a target of 500hp. That sounds like a lot given that the 360 Challenge Stradale was a leader in terms of horsepower per litre, with 420hp from its 3.6-litre V8. Race versions were allegedly capable of over 550hp when de-restricted, though, so there is room for improvement.
In terms of transmissions, given Evoluto’s tagline involves ‘peak analogue’, expect this car to feature a six-speed gated manual front and centre – going some way to #MakeFerrariGreatAgain.
When can I buy one – and how much?
We don’t know yet, truth be told. Evoluto announced just today that it’s working on ‘Mule 1’, so you can’t buy one yet.
As for how much it will cost, when it comes to such labours of love, the sky is usually the limit. Singers can be well over £1 million, and with the new carbon bodywork and reworked 360 engine, we can’t imagine the Evoluto-fettled Ferrari 348 will be far behind.
Car valuation specialist CAP HPI has given the new Range Rover Evoque a glowing prediction in terms of its residual (resale) values.
Get into a new top-of-the-range Evoque and it’s predicted that, after three years, it will retain 67 percent of its list price. That puts it on par with a Ferrari 488.
That’s good news for consumers. The more money a car holds after a three-year PCP finance deal, for example, the less the manufacturer has to charge per month to cover the depreciation.
Good residuals = great deals
The new Range Rover Evoque starts from £31,600. In that form, it’s predicted to hold 63 percent of its value after three years or 36,000 miles. That means it can be offered for £245 per month
The headline 67 percent residual figure belongs to the high-spec D180 AWD S. It starts from £39,000 – or a competitive £371 per month.
Styling-wise, the new Evoque isn’t an enormous departure from its predecessor, and that’s no bad thing. Land Rover’s best-seller has evolved nicely, adopting certain features from the Velar, as well as the larger Range Rover models. Mild hybrid tech has also brought the Evoque bang up to date in terms of performance and emissions.
“The new Range Rover Evoque is an improvement on Land Rover’s biggest selling model in the UK every way,” said Jaguar Land Rover UK MD, Rawdon Glover.
“It’s more refined, with relevant and clever technology, features our cleanest petrol and diesel engines ever, and achieves lower running costs.
“All of that means that not only is it incredibly desirable, but it’s also a very logical choice for buyers too. With these class-leading residual values, new mild hybrid powertrains and excellent finance offers, buyers could be saving hundreds of pounds a month when compared with competitor models.”
Peugeot will wow the 2019 Geneva Motor Show with the all-new 208 supermini range – which includes, from launch, an all-electric e-208 model boasting a range of more than 200 miles.
Lexus sales have now broken the 10 million mark, 30 years after the firm was founded to shake up the luxury car establishment.
