Month: September 2019

Bugatti has revealed a limited-edition, all-electric scaled-down version of its iconic Type 35 race car to celebrate the firm’s 110th birthday.

Just 500 examples of the Bugatti Baby II will be built, and all have already been sold at a price of €30,000 (circa £26,300) after the initial prototype was revealed at the Geneva motor show in March.

The luxury carmaker partnered with The Little Car Company to build the Baby II, which is 75 per cent of the size of the Type 35. It has a sliding pedal box so that it can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

Bugatti scanned every component of a 1924 Type 35 Lyon Grand Prix car before adapting the design to work as a scaled-down model, before fitting a modern electric powertrain with lithium-ion batteries and even regenerative braking.

Power is fed to the rear wheels and there’s a limited-slip differential fitted too. There are three power levels available – a 1kW mode for children, which is limited to about 12mph, a 4kW adult mode limited to 28mph, and an optional 10kW ‘speed key’

The eight-spoke alloy wheel design was also replicated and fitted with modern Michelin tyres, as has the hollow front axle, suspension and steering mechanism. There’s even a carbon-fibre-bodied version.

Stephan Winkelmann, Bugatti president, said: “When a company with such a colourful and proud history as Bugatti turns 110, you can allow yourself to look into the rear-view mirror a little bit more than you usually would.

“The Bugatti Baby II has grown up to be more of a teenager now, and I must say I’m very excited to see it drive around on the Bugatti premises in Molsheim.”

Last week’s Frankfurt Motor Show heralded the arrival of the long-awaited Land Rover Defender. It made quite the splash too, showcasing a bright new look which incorporated several nods to the iconic and much-loved classic.

And it arrived with a reasonably hefty starting price, too – £40,920, in fact. So if you’re after a car capable of mud-plugging with the best of them, but don’t fancy forking out over £40,000 for a new Defender, then what are your options? We’ve delved into the classifieds (and one or two new car forecourts) to find out.

Old Land Rover Defender

Don’t want to wait for the new Land Rover Defender? Simple — get the old one. With a £40k budget, it’s easy to nab a late model — as recent as 2016 — loaded with kit both for off-roading and general on-road comfort.

If you fancy a project car, you could even go for the low end of the market — say, sub-£10k — and invest the rest in making a uniquely restored machine.

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota never officially sold the FJ Cruiser in the UK, though that hasn’t stopped a number of examples arriving on these shores via importers.

Designed for the American market, it’s a proper off-road machine, even though it may look like an oversized toy car. It’s an exceptionally rare car here too, so you’re sure to turn heads.

Nissan Navara AT32

It’s possible you’ve heard of Arctic Truck before, but for those who haven’t, this off-road specialist firm knows how to make a proper rough and tough go-anywhere motor.

Recently, it has teamed up with Nissan to bring a dedicated off-road package to its popular Navara pick-up truck — adding beefier springs, chunky tyres and a whole host of visual upgrades to make it look the part.

Jeep Wrangler

It’s often said the original Willy’s Jeep inspired the classic Land Rover off-roader that became known as the Defender — so why not go for the original?

Recently introduced as a whole new generation, the Wrangler is just as capable on the rough stuff as ever before while also becoming more liveable on the road. Lightly-used examples of the latest car are available well within budget.

Two (new) top-spec Suzuki Jimnys

Why get one basic off-roader, when you can have two well-kitted ones for the same price? Ok so we are cheating a bit here by putting a new car in, but if off-roading is the game, then Suzuki Jimny is the name.

Its latest generation has just arrived, and is an exceptional go-anywhere machine compared with anything on the market — let along a dinky little runabout like this. With top-spec Jimnys coming in at £18,499, you can have two for the price of one entry-level Defender.

Daihatsu Fourtrak

In a similar vein to other cars on this list, the Daihatsu Fourtrak which doesn’t look like it’d be all that capable when the going gets rough. The reality is quite the opposite, however, which is probably a reason why it’s such a firm favourite with farmers.

The little Fourtrak is sturdy, reliable and easy to maintain while its short overhangs allow for excellent departure angles, furthering its ability off-road. You can also get tidy examples for well under £2,000, sweetening the deal even further.

Mitsubishi L200

It would be a shame not to feature a pick-up of sorts in this list, and the lucky spot has, on this occasion, been taken by the Mitsubishi L200. Why? Well, it’s superbly rugged, to begin with, with a rough-and-ready approach to off-roading which has seen it become a firm favourite by those who need a no-fuss, no-frills way of getting where others can’t.

Another reason why it features on our list is price. Even brand-new versions tip the scales at around £30,000, while decent used examples can be found for well under half that.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

It’s hard not to be charmed by the big Mercedes G-Wagen. It looks like a tank, for starters, and there’s something delightful about the big, bluff windscreen and ‘get out of my way’ looks. Certainly, when it comes to turning heads there are few like it.

We’ll admit, that this budget won’t come close to fetching a brand new G-Wagen, but it’ll net a tidy used example. Not only do they look good, but they’re formidable off-road and still relatively well-appointed inside.

Daihatsu Terios

Upon first impressions the Daihatsu Terios looks like it wouldn’t pull the skin off a rice pudding, owing to its bulbous design and dinky proportions. However, that’s just not the case – there’s far more lurking here than meets the eye.

The Terios is a real terrier off-road, in fact. Its small size means that it’s not troubled with tighter gaps, while permanent four-wheel-drive allows it to conquer obstacles which would leave other off-roaders quaking in their rubber boots. Plus, you can get the most recent model for around £2,000 on the used market.

For most of us regular beings, a supercar is already out of reach. These exclusive machines are a rare breed, and demand the kind of prices only the one per cent can ever dream of being able to afford.

But what about for the 0.1 per cent, for who just a regular old Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini just doesn’t cut the exclusive mustard? Step in the ultra-limited supercars, of which only a handful exist. We pick out our favourites…

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+

Not too long ago, Bugatti stunned the world by breaking the 300mph barrier with a modified version of its already-ballistic Chiron. To celebrate, it’s making a tribute model — the 1,578bhp Chiron Super Sport 300+.

Just 30 will be produced — with the first arriving in 2021 — and each will use the modified bodywork, uprated engine and eye-catching carbon/orange colour scheme used on the prototype. Each is expected to cost north of £3.5m.

Pagani Zonda Cinque

Though introduced way back in 1999, the Pagani Zonda has lived on right through to today thanks to multi-millionaires with wads of cash demanding their own special variants.

There’s more to choose from than you can count on either hand, but we’ll give the title of our favourite Zonda to the ultra-exclusive Cinque. Just five units were ever made, and it was meant to be the swansong for the model back in 2009 — though that didn’t prove true. Five coupes were made, alongside

Koenigsegg Agera One:1

Koenigsegg produces some of the most cutting-edge machines on the planet, and the Agera One:1 is one of its finest creations. Named as such for its power-to-weight ratio – which comes in at 1hp per 1kg — just seven were made (six if you don’t count the prototype).

If you use watts as a power of measurement, this was the first production car to ever reach the 1-megawatt mark — which converts to 1,341bhp.

Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta

A regular LaFerrari just not enough for you? The drop-top Aperta may just tick your boxes instead.

It’s effectively the same as the 949bhp, V12-powered hybrid coupe save for one difference — the ability to take the top off and listen to that twelve-cylinder scream impact the atmosphere. Just 210 examples were produced.

McLaren 675LT

McLaren’s 650S was no slouch — capable of covering the 0-60mph sprint in less than three seconds with a top speed of 200+mph, but clearly this wasn’t enough for some buyers.

Thus, the British firm kicked things up a notch with the limited-edition 675LT. This post-gym 650S variant boasted more power, less weight and wilder aerodynamics — and became an instant legend. Only 1,000 examples exist — split evenly between coupe and drop-top ‘Spider’ variants.

Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion

Back in the mid-late ‘90s, to enter the top class at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race, a manufacturer would have to produce at least a handful of road-going examples of its racer — spawning some ballistic machines.

One of the most notable is the Porsche 911 GT1 ‘Straßenversion’ (Street Version). Unlike most 911s, this was mid-engined rather than rear, and boasted the same wild aerodynamics as the track racer. It’s thought just 24 were ever built.

Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

How do you commemorate one of the most famous British racing drivers ever? Well, if you’re Mercedes, by producing an ultra-rare supercar.

Based on the SLR McLaren, it features a completely reworked body to give it a look of classic speedsters — completely lacking a roof or windscreen. Available only to existing SLR buyers, the Stirling Moss was restricted to only 75 examples.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini’s Gallardo could be accused of being a little tame by the firm’s own wild standards, though the Sesto Elemento spawned it spawned certainly ups the ante.

Though it houses the same V10 running gear as its more mainstream brethren, the Sesto Elemento is clad in dramatically-styled carbon fibre bodywork and features an eccentric interior. 20 examples were built, with all of them sold before the car was even publicly confirmed for production.

It’s that time of year again — the annual Frankfurt Motor Show. Manufacturers, journalists and prospective buyers across the world have flocked to Germany to see what new cars are on the horizon, and the latest cutting-edge concepts.

With the show now started, we’ve seen a number of big hitters revealed. We’ve picked out some of the highlights…

Volkswagen I.D 3

Slated as one of the most important cars for Volkswagen of all time, the I.D 3 arrives as an electric car for all. Offered initially in 1st Edition specification, it’ll go fully on sale next summer.

With a range of electric powertrain options, as well as a high-tech interior, this could be a game-changer for the German brand.

Hyundai i10 N-Line

Hyundai has brought a racier edge to its recently-unveiled i10 city car with N-Line trim, inspired by its ‘N’ performance models.

It boasts a sportier aesthetic, a more potent engine and an enhanced interior that’s lavished with sporting touches. Expect to see it on the market mid-2020.

Land Rover Defender

After teasers, concepts, will-they-won’t-they and countless leaks — the new Land Rover Defender is finally here.

This new version looks set to be as capable as every, with new aluminium underpinnings, advanced off-roading technology and an appropriately spartan approach to design.

Audi RS 7 Sportback

The arrival of any new performance Audi is always an exciting thing, and the RS 7 is no different. It comes onto the scene with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, and is capable of up to 189mph.

The exterior look is certainly imposing, but the Sportback retains the standard car’s practicality levels too – and it can even have three seats across the back, too – something the older car couldn’t offer.

BMW Concept 4

It’s hard to see the Concept 4 as anything but a set of grilles which happen to be attached to a car. However, this is a concept which could point to the way the upcoming 4 Series will look.

It follows on from other grille-heavy cars such as the X7 and 7 Series in the range, and though the production car is unlikely to be quite as dramatic it’s still going to be quite the thing to behold.

Hyundai 45

Hyundai has teased how its future cars could look with this — the 45 concept. Harking back to the firm’s 1974 Pony Coupe Concept, it takes on a distinctive boxy shape

Inside is a lounge-like cabin with chairs that swivel when the car is in autonomous mode, allowing front occupants to interact with other passengers. Don’t expect the car to enter production, but it could influence upcoming machines from the firm.

Alpina B3 Touring

Alpina is back again with a new BMW based machine, this time with the B3 Touring. The B3 packs a potent 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, kicking out 462bhp and 700Nm of torque.

It’s received a subtle yet effective exterior makeover, with trademark Alpina touches like a modified front bumper and multi-spoke alloy wheels. Order books are set to open early in 2020.

Audi AI:Trail

Autonomous cars don’t have to mean the end of off-road adventures — at least that’s what Audi reckons with this new concept.

The AI:Trail all-electric, driverless vehicle is built purely to take on the tough stuff. Its mapping system is said to be extensive for perfecting routes off the beaten track, and even has drones in place of headlights.

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS

Mercedes is grafting hard to push its all-electric EQ subrand, and this new concept shows its take on EV luxury.

It boasts an elegant design, futuristic technology and a plethora of premium materials. Don’t expect it to go into production, but it could easily inspire future road-going models.

Van drivers prefer a splash of brown sauce over ketchup on their bacon sarnies, a new survey has revealed.

Fiat Professional quizzed 1,000 UK-based van drivers and found that 40 per cent opt for the tangy taste of brown sauce while 37.5 per cent go for its red rival. Meanwhile, 22.5 per cent have no sauce at all.

Despite the overall preference for brown sauce, younger drivers seem keener on ketchup than most. Of respondents under the age of 30, 48 per cent are in favour of red sauce, with just 30 per cent choosing brown.

Female drivers appear more likely to go without than their male counterparts, with 30 per cent of women who responded preferring a bacon sandwich in its purest form, compared with 19 per cent of men.

That said, women are also more keen on brown sauce, with 36 per cent choosing the fruity condiment – although red followed close behind with 34 per cent of the vote.

Richard Chamberlain, Fiat Professional country manager, said: “Many van drivers like to start their day with a traditional bacon butty, so we’ve made life easier for the transport cafes and roadside traders that fuel the nation’s tradespeople by finding an answer to a question that has divided the nation for years.

“Brown sauce is king, but only by the smallest of margins – although with younger drivers favouring red, it could be that the bottle gets tipped the other way in the not-too-distant future.”

What is it?

SUVs play a strong role in Mazda’s current line-up, with the CX-5 first introduced in 2012 now one of its best sellers, followed by the compact CX-3.

With this area of the market growing both in audience and niches, there are more gaps to fill — leading to this, the Mazda CX-30. Slotting between the CX-5 and CX-3, think of the CX-30 as akin to a Mazda 3 hatchback on stilts.

The Japanese car manufacturer is hoping this new crossover can appeal to buyers looking for a little more space than the CX-3 who previously may have turned to offerings from other brands. Can it reap reward in the sales charts though? We get behind the wheel to find out…

What’s new?

Breaking convention from the firm’s current CX list of names, the CX-30 is an all-new model for Mazda — and its third UK SUV offering.

Mechanically similar to the 3 hatch introduced last year, it borrows a lot of new technology from that car — namely its Skyactiv-X engine technology and the firm’s latest and refined infotainment system.

Other new highlights include mild-hybrid technology and a first-for-Mazda navy blue interior option.

What’s under the bonnet?

We’re trying out one of the two petrol engines available here in the UK — a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated unit producing 120bhp and 213Nm of torque. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, contributing to a 0-60mph time of 10.4 seconds and a 116mph top speed. It also incorporates a 24v mild-hybrid motor.

Mazda claims the CX-30 in this guise is capable of 45.6mpg while emitting 116g/km in CO2 emissions.

If refinement and ease of use are high on your shopping list, this might be a strong option. Power delivery is impressively smooth, while the engine can barely be heard even when wringing it out – perfect for those long-distance journeys. It’s fair to accuse it of feeling gutless though and really has to be worked to make the most of its output.

A brief turn in a Skyactiv-X car saw a more impressive level of torque available, though these pre-production units have yet to be finalised so we’ll hold full judgement off for now.

What’s it like to drive?

Mazda has built a reputation for creating engaging cars, and that’s the case with the CX-30. It feels stable even under harder cornering and can quite comfortably deliver some fun on tighter roads.

Around town, it’s a dream. Its impressive agility makes darting around easy, while excellent all-round visibility takes extra stress out of driving.

We touched on its low engine noise previously, and this, combined with a supple ride and low cabin noise in general, allows the car to be very relaxing when coasting along at motorway speeds. Few crossovers can claim to offer strong long-distance capability, but this is one of them.

How does it look?

The CX-30 uses the latest iteration of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ corporate design, meaning slim headlights flank a large grille. At the back, a narrow single circle taillight design features, while smooth bodywork is present around the rest of the car rather than a more angular approach taken by some rivals.

We’d almost claim to be big fans of the overall design of the CX-30 — though the masses of plastic cladding let it down at the last hurdle. Mazda will tell you it’s to invoke a proper SUV spirit, but we’ll tell you it makes the car look cheap.

What’s it like inside?

Hop inside the Mazda CX-30 and you’re met with a fairly minimalistic, but very well laid out cabin. Controls fall perfectly to hand, while materials used throughout really look the part. Take a touch of the dash and they don’t feel quite as nice as you’d expect, though to Mazda’s credit it uses these lower-quality materials in places you’re rarely likely to make contact with.

The cabin feels otherwise very spacious, with room in the back plentiful for an average-size adult. In terms of boot space, 422 litres are offered with the upgraded Bose stereo system — lacking slightly on the Volkswagen T-Roc’s 445-litre capacity and the Honda HR-V’s 448 litres.

What’s the spec like?

As standard on the Mazda CX-30, standard equipment highlights include LED headlights, radar-guided cruise control, a head-up display, 16-inch alloy wheels and an 8.8-inch infotainment display with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety features coming at no extra cost are namely blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and hill start assist.

Did someone say plastic cladding? pic.twitter.com/m4tUhRIihv

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) September 5, 2019

Pricing for the SUV starts at £22,895, though our GT Sport Tech-equivalent test car weighs in at £27,995. Luxury additions here include 18-inch alloy wheels, all-round parking sensors with a reversing camera, automatic headlights, a heated electric driver’s seat, a handsfree tailgate, a brown and black leather interior plus the impressive Bose audio system.

It sounds pricey at the top end of the range, but the CX-30 does present a lot of equipment for the asking price.

Verdict

Mazda is on to another winner with its CX-30. It takes the firm’s ability to build an impressive-driving car, and sticks that into a well-kitted, spacious and impressively refined package.

Looks-wise, it nearly has the formula cracked but we really think the heavy use of plastic trimming doesn’t complement an otherwise well-styled car. The slight drop in boot space may put off some buyers, as may the gutless Skyactiv-G engine (X powertrains look set to rectify this, however) though its efficiency and comfort make up for those in our view.

Model: Mazda CX-30
Price: £22,895 (£27,995 as tested)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power (bhp): 120
Torque (Nm): 213
Max speed (mph): 116
0-60mph: 10.4 seconds
MPG: 45.6
Emissions (g/km): 116

Goodbye summer, hello school run. Yep, it’s that time of the year where the kids head back to school — perhaps a time of celebration for those parents looking forward to having quiet afternoons back, or misery at the prospect of getting up early to shuttle them in for an early start.

Your choice of car can make or break the ease or enjoyment of the trip to school. Be you a first-time runner, or an experienced veteran of dropping the kids off, you’re likely here to pick out the best car for the start of term. We pick out some options…

SsangYong Turismo

Got lots of kids to take on the school run? The SsangYong Turismo might be the perfect car for you. This affordable MPV puts space and practicality above all else — and is capable of seating seven adults, let alone kids, in good comfort. Better still, if you can forego the rear row, there’s enough room in the boot to load as many school bags and packed lunches as you can imagine.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

If you want your kids to be the talk of the playground, a Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo could be the way to go. This machine from Stuttgart boasts all the usual Porsche trademarks — calculated but head-turning looks, an impressive driving experience and tremendous engines — but comes with an added dose of practicality too. Once you’ve dropped the kids off, you can go off to make an equally interesting impression in the work car park too.

Skoda Kodiaq

When it comes to an SUV that can do just about everything in a pleasant and easy manner, the Skoda Kodiaq is the way to go. Available with five- or seven-seats, it’s a versatile option for families of all sizes with enough boot space to support an entire school trip to the beach.

Suzuki Jimny

Let’s face it, the prospect of getting up to take the kids to school is not something many people are excited at the thought of. If you can sacrifice some space, though, why not get a motor that’s bound to put a smile on your face each time? Step in the Suzuki Jimny – perhaps the most cheerful car on sale. The dinky Japanese 4×4 is a real bundle of joy, and is bound to get the seal of approval from your kids, their mates and other parents.

Ford Focus ST

Hot hatches are the perfect car for the petrolhead parent. Based on regular family cars, they’re practical and can seat kids in comfort — yet hide enough performance to scare more exotic machinery on a tight back road. Ford’s new Focus ST is our pick of the bunch, boasting more power, more tech and arguably better looks than ever before.

MG ZS EV

Want to help cut down on local emissions, but need a practical car that would rule out most electric options? Consider the MG ZS EV. This affordable crossover packs an electric powertrain that’s said to allow for 163 miles between charges — more than enough as an urban runaround — while boasting an impressive 470 litres of boot space.

Tesla’s Model 3 was the third most popular new car in the UK in August – the first time an electric car has appeared in the top 10 best selling car charts.

The Model 3 was listed as “other” in third place behind the Ford Fiesta in first (3,978 registrations) and the VW Golf (3,439 registrations) in second place.

Tesla registered 2,082 Model 3s in August after what is likely to have been a huge delivery from America.

The car has been thwarted by numerous delays in production after Elon Musk’s firm struggled to ramp up manufacturing to cope with demand for its baby model.

Most of these UK Model 3 buyers would have placed £1,000 deposits for the car when Tesla put it on sale back in March 2016. By August 2017 there had been more than 450,000 reservations worldwide.

Tesla does not officially register its sales data with the UK’s official body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and as such its registrations are still listed under “other imports”.

However, a spokesperson for the SMMT confirmed the anomaly in the data was due to a “recently launched electric car in the UK”.

A spokesperson for Tesla told the PA media group that it was the Model 3 that the number relates to, adding: “Tesla does not comment on sales figures.”

It is the first time an all-electric car has appeared in the list of the top 10 most popular new cars for a month and skewed the rise in EV sales up by 377.5 per cent – jumping from 659 to 3,137 registrations.

James Baggott, founder of industry publication Car Dealer Magazine, said the rise in EV registrations was an “abnormal blip”.

He said: “It’s worth noting, that the SMMT registration figures relate to cars registered, not sold in the month. Most Tesla Model 3 buyers put down their deposits years ago, so these will simply be Tesla finally delivering a car they promised back in 2016.

“This was effectively the first full month of deliveries for the Model 3 in the UK.

“It has also caused an abnormal blip in the SMMT stats – electric cars are up considerably, but it’s unlikely to be something that will continue.”

Tesla has had a number of well publicised problems with Model 3 production and UK customers have had to wait more than three years to get their hands on their cars. Model 3 deliveries first began in America in July 2018.

Mr Baggott added: “Interestingly so many Model 3 buyers chose to have their cars delivered in August – on a 19 plate – rather than wait for the new 69 plate that came along on September 1. That clearly demonstrates just how desperate they were to get their hands on this new car.”

Despite the rising popularity of EVs, overall new vehicle registrations continued to fall in August. The summer months are typically the UK’s quietest for new car sales, especially as they lead up to the September plate change.

In total, 94,094 new cars were registered in August – a decline of 1.6 per cent.

Porsche has at last revealed its Taycan — the firm’s first all-electric vehicle.

Plans for production of an all-electric Porsche were first revealed in 2015, and now that has been realised.

Launching in two trims — Turbo and Turbo S — the Taycan uses a 93.4kWh battery in its most potent guise. Linked to a motor on each axle, 750bhp is sent to all four wheels in Turbo S form, resulting in a 0-60mph time of 2.6 seconds and a 161mph top speed. Range is pegged at 252 miles between charges.

Turbo variants produce less power at 670bhp, with 0-60mph covered in 3.2 seconds and a top speed identical to the S, while range is boosted to 279 miles.

Unusually for a road-going EV, the Taycan uses a two-speed gearbox. This first gear is said to maximise acceleration, with the second aiding refinement at higher speeds.

Equipped with an 800v charging system, the Taycan is said be capable of receiving 62 miles worth of charge in five minutes when plugged in to a DC charger. Porsche also says the battery can be charged from flat to 80 per cent in 22.5 minutes ‘under ideal conditions’, with maximum charging power coming in at 270kW.

Aiding performance is the addition of Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control and Active Suspension Management systems. Additionally, ‘Range’ mode joins the line-up of selectable driving settings, alongside ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport Plus’ and ‘Individual’.

Inside the car, Porsche has done away with the majority of the traditional switchgear, replacing most buttons and dials with touchscreen functions in the 10.9-inch infotainment display. A new ‘Hey Porsche’ voice control system is also set to feature.

An entirely leather-free interior will be offered for the first time on a Porsche, instead using ‘innovative recycled materials’. The lack of an internal combustion engine also allows for two boot spaces — 81 litres up front and 366 litres at the rear.

Pricing for the Porsche Taycan starts from £115,858, securing a Turbo model, with Turbo S variants available from £138,826. The firm has confirmed lower-output and ultimately more affordable variants of the car will be available later in the year, with a more practical Cross Turismo bodystyle arriving at the back end of 2020.

What is it?

The Kia Ceed family has many facets as it is. The hatchback, Sportwagon estate and the sporty Proceed shooting brake offer plenty of choice for customers looking for a reliable model with plenty of practicality. But the South Korean firm has decided that it needs to fill another niche with the Ceed moniker with this, the XCeed.

The crowded crossover segment continues to prove incredibly popular with British buyers and Kia has seen an opportunity for a slice of the sales pie with this latest model. Slotting in between the Ceed and best-selling Sportage SUV, the XCeed fills an admittedly small gap in the range – Kia is clearly looking to capitalise wherever it can. So, as with the impressive hatchback, can this new crossover exceed our expectations?

What’s new?

Kia has differentiated the design of the XCeed from the rest of the family by including a larger grille and air intakes at the front as well as a sharper light signature. The XCeed also sits 60mm higher than before and has larger overhangs to make it a more imposing vehicle on the road.

The crossover also gets new infotainment features including an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen that can employ split-screen functionality, while a 12.3-inch digital instrument display is also introduced as a brand-first. Kia has added the UVO Connect telematics system, which provides updates on traffic and weather along with all of the vehicle’s diagnostics data.

What’s under the bonnet?

From launch, UK customers will have the choice of the 1.4-litre, 138bhp petrol and a 1.6-litre diesel developing 134bhp – while a petrol plug-in hybrid version is on the way in 2020. We’ll focus on the diesel here though, which can be teamed with a six-speed manual or the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic fitted to our test car.

The diesel-auto combo was an intriguing one, as our test route in the south of France combined city driving, motorway stretches and twisty sections through the mountains of Provence. The auto box could be hesitant at times, especially under harder acceleration. That being said, changes were smooth and the diesel engine itself was quiet and refined, making the cruising experience very pleasant.

We also tested the petrol engine with a manual transmission on a shorter route. With slick and short changes, the six-speed was excellent to use, while the petrol engine itself was quiet and refined at cruising speeds, but great at providing the power when needed.

What’s it like to drive?

This is where the XCeed stands out in the crossover market. It is remarkably composed whatever type of driving you’re doing. It’s comfortable without being floaty and it hunkers down when making sharper turns. The XCeed remains stable at all speeds and on all road surfaces, while the exterior noise is minimal.

The steering is well-weighted and direct, and although there is a lack of feel as with all modern electrically assisted steering systems, the XCeed feels sure-footed. There is some roll when cornering at higher speeds, but there isn’t too much to be worried about. Dynamic mode adds steering responsiveness but slightly harsher suspension – so we’d happily keep it in the regular setting. The assistance systems can be intrusive – especially the lane keep assist – but on the whole, the XCeed is incredibly pleasant, and in some cases, enjoyable to drive.

How does it look?

Kia wanted to make the XCeed stand out from the rest of its siblings. In doing so, the brand altered the grille design, while also including a lower front air intake. Additional chrome elements have also been added, while the light units at the front are sharper – although they still feature the signature ‘ice cube’ lights from the regular Ceed.

The large 18-inch alloys on our test car look great and don’t hinder the overall feel of the car either. The additional plastic cladding around the lower edge and roof rails add a further SUV-like feel to the model – something which most crossover customers are after.

The coupe-like shape makes the XCeed look like a shorter but taller version of the Proceed in many ways – but as design niches for body styles continue to be filled, it’s no surprise Kia has gone in this direction.

What’s it like inside?

As with every other Kia, the interior isn’t the most exciting on the market. That being said, the yellow pack does add a pop of colour against the rather dark cabin. All the materials are of a good quality, especially the leather on the seats. There are no scratchy materials in sight, making for an unspectacular but well-made interior.

Passenger space is good, with the sloping roof line not limiting rear head room for taller people in the back. If six-footers are sat in the front, rear legroom may be a bit more limited, but it’s not bad by any means. A funky feature is that the driver’s seat slides forwards when you close the door to get you into position and makes getting in and out much easier, something usually reserved for more expensive vehicles.

What’s the spec like?

We tried the top-spec First Edition model, although the ‘2’ and ‘3’ grades will be available to customers as well – both of which are well-equipped. The flagship trim came with all you could ask for – 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, wireless phone charging, aluminium pedals and a fleet of driver assistance systems.

Standard kit on the entry-level model, which starts at £20,795, is good though. It gets LED headlights and daytime running lights, eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, air conditioning, reversing camera and sensors, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Driver assistance systems are also included, such as lane keep assist and forward collision-avoidance assist.

Verdict

The XCeed is a great step forward for Kia, as it combines the comfort and reliable build quality of the Ceed hatchback with in-demand crossover styling and improved driving feel. The coupe-like looks are starting to become more common amongst SUVs and crossovers, so while it is hopping onto a growing trend, the XCeed is forging a new path at the more affordable end of the market.

Well-priced, well-equipped and well-engineered, the XCeed is an impressive crossover that is entering its segment near the very top, making for a more than credible challenger.