As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the motoring news which you may have missed starting with the digital world premiere of the new SEAT Ibiza and SEAT Arona
SEAT is adding more character to its urban vehicles, the SEAT Ibiza and Arona, with a design and technological update for both models to make them an even more compelling offering in their segments.
The SEAT Ibiza is an icon of the brand’s success. Since its introduction in 1984, the small hatchback has established itself as the most successful vehicle to ever roll off SEAT’s production line. The latest model, with an evolved design and significant technological upgrade, aims to continue this award-winning recipe.
It is joined by the enhanced SEAT Arona urban SUV which delivers a more robust exterior aesthetic with greater off-road character, alongside new safety technology.
The upgrades to both models increase the functionality of the digital eco-system as well as an uplift in the perceived quality in the cabin.
“The SEAT Ibiza has been a cornerstone of the brand’s success, with close to six million vehicles sold over its five generations, while the SEAT Arona is a clear pillar in the range, being the second most sold SEAT model last year,” said Wayne Griffiths, President of SEAT and CUPRA. “The updated models add to the vehicles’ incredible attributes to deliver an even more complete offering whilst refreshing the cars’ design.”
The digital world premiere of the new SEAT Ibiza and SEAT Arona will take place at 09:00 GMT, Thursday 15th April.
2021 Mazda MX-5 Sport Venture
The 2021 Mazda MX-5 range has been enhanced with the launch of the limited edition Sport Venture, which arrives in UK dealerships this month. Based on the 1.5-litre 132ps Sport Convertible, the £27,615 Sport Venture features a stand-out design that includes free-of-charge Deep Crystal Blue Mica paint matched to a grey fabric hood and silver door mirror trims. Drop the roof and the Sport Venture’s Light Stone Nappa leather and silver roll hoop trims further complement the Deep Crystal Blue paint, as do the 16-inch bright alloy wheels.
Across more than three decades on sale, special edition MX-5 models have proved popular with sports car enthusiasts looking for a car with unique details, extra equipment and an added dose of exclusivity. With just 160 examples of the Sport Venture coming to the UK this latest special edition follows that tradition. In fact the Sport Venture name pays homage to the 2014 third-generation Sport Venture, which was also offered in Deep Crystal Blue and featured silver detailing on the mirrors and roll hoop covers. Powered by the 1.8-litre engine it was also offered in Titanium Flash with the 1,219 examples split between the soft top and Roadster Coupe.
Limited to just 160 examples the special edition 1.5-litre 132ps MX-5 Sport Venture is now on sale.
Volkswagen T-Cross range grows to include well-equipped Black Edition trim priced from £21,035 RRP OTR
The T-Cross Black Edition is available with the model’s 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines, meaning two power outputs and three gearbox options are on offer. The first of these 999 cc petrol units provides a town-friendly 95 PS and 175 Nm and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the second has 110 PS and 200 Nm, and is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox, or a 7-speed DSG. These three engine and gearbox combinations offer low running costs, with fuel economy and CO2 emissions (WLTP combined) figures of 48.7 mpg and 132 g/km for both manual models, and 44.1 mpg and 145 g/km for the 110 PS, 7-speed DSG.
The 95 PS variant starts from £21,035 RRP OTR, with the additional equipment of the Black Edition contributing to a value boost of more than £2,000 for customers, given its modest £500 step-up in price over the SE trim.
On the outside, the T-Cross Black Edition has a bold appearance. It builds on the model’s already attractive design with black roof rails and door mirror housings, black trim across the front grille and bumper, and rear tinted glass from the B-pillar backwards for an upmarket look. A set of 17-inch ‘Manila Black’ diamond turned alloys and LED headlights complete the exterior package, replacing the halogen light units and ‘Clayton’ alloy wheels of the SE model.
Inside, the black theme continues, with stylish high gloss black and platinum grey ‘Transition’ decorative inserts in the dashboard, sports comfort seats with ‘Diag’ design seat upholstery in ‘Titan Black’, and carpet mats front and rear.
Bentley announces the upcoming launch of Bentley Residences
Bentley Motors is proud to announce plans to develop the first ever Bentley-branded luxury residential tower in the world: Bentley Residences. Top South Florida-based property developer Dezer Development will partner with Bentley to design and build the tower, working with the world-renowned architectural firm Sieger Suarez Architects. The project is being designed in accordance with the Florida Green Building Council (FLGC) certification to ensure maximum protection of the local environment and its wildlife.
Bentley Residences will contain more than 200 luxury apartments built for residents who expect the very best in design and quality. The building will stand at 749 feet and over 60 stories high – a prominent figure on Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach coastline and the tallest residential tower on any US beachfront.
The development is keenly focused on luxury living in a sustainable environment. Bentley Residences is being designed in accordance with the Florida Green Building Council (FLGC) certification and other environmental regulations to protect the local environment and minimize the impact of the development on local wildlife. Environmentally-safe building materials will be used, and reduced coastal lighting implemented to protect endangered sea turtles. The building will be engineered to reduce energy consumption.
Sieger Suarez and Dezer Development are well known for their work on numerous luxury brand projects.
The Bentley Design Department has been integral to the development of the building, bringing to life the Bentley DNA to ensure a truly authentic design. The core of the building will feature the patented car elevator and will be a prominent and luxurious feature for any car enthusiast. Each residence will include an in-unit multi-car garage – the ultimate statement in exclusivity and privacy. Due to the innovative design, Bentley Residences will also offer unique ocean and bayside views in every apartment, thanks to the building’s cylindrical form and floor-to-ceiling windows. The tower will be designed to inspire new ways to embrace space and connect to the stunning surrounding environment.
Homes will also have a private balcony, pool, sauna and outdoor shower. The apartment interiors will contain sustainably sourced materials and finishes that create a calming palate, in harmony with the external environment. Interior amenities will include a gym, spa, whisky bar and restaurant. Private and beautifully landscaped communal gardens will promote a sense of calm.
Sportier look and greater individualisation for the Mercedes CLS
The CLS will come to the starting line in April 2021 with a sharpened design. The front end in particular, with new radiator grilles and bumpers, expresses the dynamism of the four-door coupé even more strongly. At the same time, the interior has been upgraded with additional leather and trim combinations as well as a new generation of steering wheel. A latest-generation diesel with integrated starter-generator expands the model range. A strictly limited special model of the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ (combined fuel consumption 9.0-8.7 l/100 km; combined CO2 206-199 g/km)[1] forms the sporty-exclusive spearhead. The modernised CLS celebrates its world premiere in April, and the first models arrive at European dealers in July. Thanks to a comprehensive refresh last summer with updates to the driving assistance systems, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system and ENERGIZING Comfort, the CLS was already up-to-date technologically.
As a coupé, the CLS, together with all roadsters and cabriolets, belongs to the category of dream cars at Mercedes-Benz. To date, more than four million examples have been sold to customers all over the world, including more than 450,000 CLS models since the launch of the first generation in 2004. China was the largest sales market for the CLS Coupé in 2020, followed by South Korea, the USA and Germany. The reason most frequently cited by customers for buying the CLS is its design: Sportiness is the true luxury in this customer segment.
Now the CLS shows off an even sportier look. The entry-level model with AVANTGARDE Exterior as standard features a new front apron with striking air intakes, two louvres at the sides, and a front splitter in silver chrome. The rear apron has a black diffuser-look insert and a silver-chrome trim strip. Two new designs are available for the 19-inch light-alloy wheel: 5-twin-spoke or multi-spoke rims.
Limited Edition with tourbillon caliber – the latest yield from the Breitling and Bentley partnership
After nearly two decades of partnership, Bentley Motors and watchmaker Breitling are celebrating the launch of the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition, produced in an exclusive series of just 25 pieces.
A reinterpretation of the original Breitling Premier wristwatches of the 1940s, today’s limited edition does not fall short of its reputation, the Premier B21 Chronograph Tourbillon 42 Bentley Limited Edition is a unique yet classic design. Limited to just 25 pieces, the watch features a 42 mm case in 18 k red gold, rectangular chronograph pushers, a gold-brown alligator strap, and a transparent sapphire caseback revealing the magnificient movement with its 22-karat gold oscillating weight. The highlight is the special chronograph tourbillon caliber and cage seen through the distinctive green dial, reminiscent of the British racing green colour associated with the other models within the Breitling and Bentley partnership.
Powered by the Manufacture Caliber B21, the COSC-certified tourbillon movement offers around 55 hours of power reserve and is water-resistant up to 100 meters.
Price reduction for Nissan LEAF 40kWh and 62kWh unlocks full Nissan EV range for revised plug-in car grant
Nissan has confirmed price reductions of both 40kWh and 62kWh versions of its award-winning LEAF electric vehicle, effective from April.
As a result, all grades of LEAF and both battery capacities (40kWh and 62kWh) are eligible for the revised Plug-In Car Grant of £2,500, which is offered on electric vehicles under £35,000 RRP.
The reduced OTR price makes the LEAF range one of the most accessible C-segment hatchback EVs, starting from just £25,995 OTR (including government grant).
The changes to the plug-in car grant came into effect on 18th March 2021, with a reduction from £3,000 to £2,500 towards the purchase price of electric vehicles with a revised RRP limit of £35,000 (previously £50,000).
Updated pricing for the LEAF range, including the £2,500 government grant, is in the table below. For customers looking to purchase an e+ 62kWh version, the OTR price reduction renews the model’s eligibility for the grant, unlocking a saving of £5,265 compared to purchasing at the previous OTR price without the £2,500 PICG support.
Updated Volvo XC60 now available for UK customers to order
Volvo has strengthened the appeal of its XC60 with a range of upgrades designed to make the mid-size SUV even smarter. A past winner of the World Car of the Year title, and Volvo’s global best-seller, the XC60 benefits from an updated appearance and the introduction of ground-breaking connectivity, safety and driver-assistance technologies.
The model’s eye-catching Scandinavian design has been refined with a new-look front grille, new lower front bumper and air intakes, and a refresh of the lower rear bumper. The exhaust pipes are also now hidden, as part of Volvo’s wider design changes that showcase the company’s continued journey to all-out electrification. Completing the visual updates are new alloy wheel designs and new paint colours – Platinum Grey, Silver Dawn and Thunder Grey.
Connectivity is key for today’s customers and Volvo is taking on-board technology to a new level with the introduction of its industry-first Android-powered infotainment system to the XC60. Designed to seamlessly blend into your digital lifestyle, the new system gives quick and easy access to Google services and apps, including Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice recognition and the Google Play Store for installing a wide range of apps for in-car use. The package includes the required data for four years, while convenient over-the-air software updates are also now possible.
Wireless smartphone integration is now provided as standard via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Across the range, wireless device charging is also a standard feature, together with four USB ports so multiple devices can be connected at once. In addition, the XC60 gains an upgraded 12.3-inch driver information display with improved graphics to present key performance and car status information.
There is more technology-based innovation to safeguard against collisions: a rear auto-brake function automatically engages if a collision risk is detected when reversing, dramatically cutting the chance of a parking scrape; and the optional Pilot Assist driver-assistance system has gained more sophisticated accident-avoidance capability with the addition of an emergency stop assist function.
The updated XC60 exemplifies Volvo’s leading position on electrification, being a fully electrified model range. The powertrain choices are three Recharge plug-in hybrids and four mild-hybrids (two B5 and one B6 petrols, and a B4 diesel), with power outputs from 197hp to 405hp. All versions are all-wheel drive except for the B5, which is available in front- or all-wheel-drive form.
Steve Beattie, Volvo Car UK’s Head of Sales, said: “The XC60 has always been incredibly popular with Volvo buyers, and this updated version, with its distinctive new look and fantastic infotainment system with Google built in, is sure to be even more appealing.”
The upgraded XC60 is on sale in the UK now, with the first customer deliveries expected in June. On-the-road prices start at £41,745 for the 250hp B5 Momentum front-wheel-drive version.
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