The Volkswagen Touareg SUV鈥檚 engine lineup is set to expand soon with the introduction of a new petrol engine. Like the diesel alternatives, the new model will send its power through all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A package which combines air suspension and rear-wheel steering - as used by VW Group cousins the Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga - is available as an option. The Touareg is offered in three trim levels: SE L, R-Line and R-Line tech. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats trimmed in leather all round, and adaptive cruise control. The 鈥業nnovision Cockpit鈥? which combines a 12-inch digital instrument panel with a huge 15-inch infotainment screen, is standard on the top-spec R-Line Tech and an option priced up to 拢2,510 on other models. The V6 petrol will go on sale in the first half of 2019, with deliveries due by the end of the year. While UK prices for the new petrol are yet to be announced, in the Dutch market VW has confirmed a starting figure of a few hundred Euros more than the 282bhp diesel, so expect to pay from around 拢52,000 here. Would you consider a petrol SUV?
Casual observers may not directly notice what seems to be a nip here and a tuck there, however the Forester faithful鈥攕ome eighty,000 some patrons annually within the U.S. 鈥攕hould be simpatico with the all-new sheetmetal. Well, tie your L.L. Bean Storm Chasers, as a result of Subaru is introducing a replacement, fourth-generation Forester early next year as a 2014 model. Turbo models lose the WRX-inspired hood scoop, supplanted by a fluted and flaring front connective tissue. A swept-back windscreen and a gently curving roofline restore some caloric balance. Adding to a small degree androgenic hormone could be a blockier, more-SUV-like nose that鈥檚 an in. 鈥攖o meet pedestrian protection requirements鈥攅ven although a squat boxer four still lives under it hood. It replaces last year鈥檚 four-speed automatic, and it is the thrust behind the 2014 Subaru Forester鈥檚 higher fuel economy ratings. The seat and tool case work simply within the cargo hold, and on the means back i made a decision to do the vision Driver Assist adaptational cruise-control system. E30 elements cars regarding associate degree hour鈥檚 drive south of city, thus I took the 2014 Subaru Forester. Before the dogs went anyplace, however, I had to run associate degree trip to select up a BMW E30 3-series seat to place in a very Chrysler K-Car motorcar (long story). The 2014 Subaru Forester is roughly an equivalent size because the outgoing model on the surface (it鈥檚 to a small degree taller, with a distance that鈥檚 solely an in. Appearance-wise with this fourth-generation Forester, Subaru appearance to own unbroken the process, however particularly finessed the planning.
SEAT is very proud of its Spanish heritage, so much so that nearly every model in its current line-up is named after a town or area in Spain. The Ibiza, Leon, Arona, Ateca and Alhambra all follow this formula, and so does the latest addition to the Auto Express fleet, the Tarraco. Yet while the brand鈥檚 approach to its cars鈥?names is unique, the same can鈥檛 be said of the Tarraco itself. The large SUV shares many of its characteristics with the Skoda Kodiaq, sitting on the same version of the Volkswagen Group鈥檚 modular MQB platform and sharing the same range of engines. But that鈥檚 no bad thing because the Kodiaq scooped the Best Large SUV honour at our New Car Awards ceremony last year. Our Tarraco is an SE Technology model, which sits near the bottom of the range, with only the standard SE trim below it (Xcellence and Xcellence Lux sit above our car in the line-up).
That doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 short of kit, though, because the focus on technology really shines through. Just like the Kodiaq, the Tarraco offers bags of space, with lots of storage and plenty of leg and headroom in the rear seats. Boot capacity stands at 1,775 litres with the rear two benches folded flat (just down on the Kodiaq鈥檚 cavernous 2,005 litres), while there is even a usable 230 litres available with the car set up as a seven-seater. Those sixth and seventh chairs don鈥檛 offer much legroom, though, and are only really suitable for kids. Adults will simply find it too uncomfortable to spend much time back there, and the seats are tough to clamber into. Where the Tarraco differs from the Kodiaq is in the way it drives. SEAT is well known for focusing on dynamics, and this SUV does not disappoint. Its sheer size means it has some limitations, but it feels controlled when turning sharply into corners and body roll is kept in check for the most part. The SE Technology鈥檚 smaller 18-inch wheels also provide a smooth ride and the car soaks up most road imperfections without flinching. The Tarraco鈥檚 engine line-up is standard VW Group fare. The power figure might seem low for such a big car, but it copes with the demands of daily life well. So far I鈥檝e used it around town and on some longer motorway journeys, and the engine never feels strained. In fact, the 340Nm of torque means it feels quite punchy when going for an overtake. A fully laden Tarraco might be a different story but, for most people, the lower-powered 2.0-litre diesel should be quick enough. Economy of 44.5mpg is also impressive for a 1,660kg car. I鈥檓 looking forward to seeing how it copes with the demands of day-to-day life. My young son likes to grab and pull at anything within reach, so he鈥檚 sure to be testing the car as much as I am in the coming months.
Audi has started testing the upcoming Q4 SUV on public roads. The spyshots themselves are edited with new backgrounds in order to not reveal the location of the shoot. Previously referred to as the TT SUV of the German brand, the new Q4 will be based on the same MQB platform as used in the latest Q3. The new SUV will adopt its own, more dynamic exterior design that will mix elements from both the Q3 and the larger Q8. A lower roofline combined with higher shoulders are the key differences, along with a front end that鈥檚 looks slightly more aggressive than the Q3. Audi鈥檚 exterior design chief said that the Q4 will be 鈥渁 bit more than a coupe version of the Q3鈥? without providing further details. The final production model is expected to measure at least 4,500 mm long, which will make the Q4 marginally longer than the Q3. Despite the lower roofline, cabin space is expected to be more generous than that of its closest rivals. The engine range will share some -if not all- of the powertrains currently on offer with the Audi Q3, meaning a wide range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Quattro all-wheel drive will be offered in the most powerful models, including a rumored RS Q4 model with a five-cylinder 400 hp powerplant.
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