DS 5
There’s a raft of new models to tempt you this summer, Geraldine Herbert has a sneaky peak at new arrivals
Its been a busy year for Audi who have already registered 3,354 cars. New for 152 is the arrival of the second generation Q7. Launching with a choice of two 3.0 litre engine models, the 3.0TDI 272ps and 3.0 TFSI 333ps. The 3.0 TDI 218ps variants will join the range later in year. A new R8 will arrive in October and in November an all-new A4 will be in showrooms.
BMW’s ever expanding range continues this year unabated. Just arrived in showrooms around the country and priced from €35,940 is their first seven seat MPV, the Gran Tourer. The second generation X1 joins the range in October. Prices start from €41,310 OTR for an X1 sDrive 18d SE. The 3-Series gets a 40th birthday nip and tuck and will be here by the end of the year.
On sale from July 1, the new Citroen Berlingo will be added to the French carmaker’s line up and promises a significant reduction in running costs combined with driver comfort, safety and convenience gains.
The arrival of the DS5 in July will be the first model to be launched by the new standalone DS brand. With the new DS brand Citroen plan to revive the tradition of premium vehicles, innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS launched in 1955.
Ford’s calendar is certainly packed this year with seven new models joining the range over the next few months. First up is the facelifted C-Max/ Grand C-MAX and all -new S-Max. The new Galaxy will be here in the Autumn. The iconic Mustang, Mondeo Vignale and the eagerly-awaited 300bhp Focus RS will be in showrooms later in the year.
The Honda Civic Type R.
Honda’s line up has been boosted by the new and updated Civic, Civic Tourer and CR-V and there is no let up; the all-new HR-V, Jazz and Civic Type R will all be launched before the end of the year. Arriving in July to the CR-V range is the new high-power 9 speed automatic diesel, the 1.6 i-DTEC 160 AWD Auto.
With over two billion euro invested in its development, the new XE is without doubt the most important car Jaguar has ever built. In its most efficient 163bhp version, the 2.0-litre diesel XE returns 99g/km of CO2 with fuel economy of 3.8 l/100km (74.3mpg). The 180bhp engine emits 109g/km, returns 4.2 l/100km (67.3mpg) and costs €190 to tax annually, while the 240bhp 2-litre Ford-derived petrol engine delivers 7.5 l/100km (37.7mpg) combined. But if efficiency is not your concern, the one to opt for is the special-order supercharged 3-litre V6 340bhp. The first cars, due here this month, will be the 180bhp automatic and the V6. Three more versions join the range in September – the 163bhp 2.0 litre diesel, in manual or automatic and manual version of the 180bhp and a 240bhp 2.0 petrol.
It will be the end of the year before we see anything new from Lexus. In December the new RX450h will launch but no prices or spec are available yet. The RC sports coupe will arrive in time for 161 sales and will be similar to the Lexus RC-F but with a 2.5L hybrid engine.
Having launched the new Mazda2, 6, CX-5 and just arrived in showrooms their new compact crossover the CX-3, Mazda complete their new model line-up with the arrival of the all new MX-5 Roadster later this autumn priced from €27,995.
Mazda CX-3
The Mercedes S Class Maybach and their BMW 6 series rival the GLE Coupe are the newest models in the Mercedes-Benz range. A facelifted A Class will launch in September when the B-Class will be offered with a B160 petrol engine. At the end of the year the C-Class Coupe will be launched and the CLA Shooting Brake 180 Cdi.
Named after one of Adam von Opel’s sons, Karl is a five-door city car due here in August. With a starting price of €12,695 all models will be powered by a punchy three-cylinder one-litre petrol engine with 75bhp. The 11th generation Astra will make its world debut this September at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt.
Peugeot is expanding its range with the arrival in July with the refreshed 208. For the first time, buyers get a new 1.6BlueHDI 100bhp diesel as an option. Petrol options include a new 110bhp 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol that comes with a choice of a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. T
Joining the line-up this summer is the new Peugeot Tepee, a practical but smart MPV that can seat five or seven and is likely to be priced in the region of €23,000.
In September, the Range Rover Evoque and the Discovery Sport will be fitted with the new Ingenium 2.0 diesel engine and a convertible version of the Evoque is due early in 2016.
Renault Kadjar
Due in showrooms in September the Kadjar is Renualt’s late entrant to the small SUV market. Aiming to take on the likes of the Mazda CX-5 and Ford’s Kuga it will be offered in front wheel and four wheel drive versions. Powering the range will be three diesel and one petrol engine with CO2 from 99g/km. Prices have yet to be confirmed but we would expect it to be priced lower than the Nissan Qashqai, a car it shares many components with.
Suzuki will launch a VW Polo, Ford Fiesta and Opel Corsa rival toward the end of the year but little is known yet of the new hatchback that debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show as the iK-2 prototype.
A new version of the popular SEAT Alhambra goes on sale in September with prices starting at €38,595. Also arriving in September is a new SEAT Ibiza
Skoda’s new Superb model will go on sale here next month with prices starting at €27,795 for its 1.6 TDI model. Longer and wider than the previous model the boot space in the saloon has also increased to a very impressive 625 litres.
The New Avensis is the big news for Toyota and it now comes with Toyota Safety Sense as standard and is also available with a 1.6- diesel engine as well as 2.0L diesel. There is also an updated Auris with changes to the exterior and interior and now available with a 1.2 turbo petrol engine .
Volvo’s second generation XC90 has just been launched in time for 152 and gives rivals a serious run for their money. Priced from €70,950 seven seats are standard and is sure to be crammed with the latest safety features.
Geraldine Herbert
26th June, 2015
