FORECOURT
VAUXHALL GRANDLAND
Under the bonnet
A 1.6-litre petrol engine with electric motor combine to give the Grandland 222bhp.
Vauxhall has given the Grandland a comprehensive mid-life makeover. Darren Cassey got behind the wheel...
THE KNOWLEDGE Vauxhall Grandland Plug-in Hybrid-e Price (as tested): £33,820 Engine: 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor Power: 222bhp Torque: 360Nm Max speed: 140mph O-60mph: 8.9 seconds MPG (combined): 192 Emissions: 31g/km CO2
WHAT IS IT? Last year, the Vauxhall Corsa was the UK’s best-selling car and the new Astra has been well received by reviewers, too. A new Grandland represents an opportunity to keep this upward trend going. On paper it’s all positive, with a refreshed face and much improved on-board technology – and now we’ve had a chance to get behind the wheel in the UK to find out if the reality is just as good. WHAT’S NEW? The front end in particular looks completely different, gaining the firm’s ‘Vizor’ design that makes it look like the rest of the range. The new Pure Panel infotainment display puts in an appearance here as well, while there are also improved driver-assistance systems, comfortable seats and a simplified range of trims. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The hybrid is the main story here, as manufacturers are keen to get drivers behind the wheel of their electrified models. This is a plug-in unit that combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 222bhp. There’s also a 13.2kWh battery that has a range of up to 39 miles, which makes it useful for urban trips when fully charged. The fuel economy of 192mpg will be a big draw, although bear in mind this is only achievable by those who can charge the battery regularly. You’ll also have the choice of a 1.2-litre petrol engine and 1.5-litre diesel engine, which promise fuel economy of up to 45.6mpg and 54.3mpg respectively. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? We got behind the wheel of both the hybrid and regular petrol, and the common theme to both was that the Grandland is a pleasant car to travel about in. The steering weights are well judged and the pedals are easily accustomed to. It’s pretty comfortable on poor roads but doesn’t roll too much in corners, either. The petrol doesn’t have much in the way of performance, with acceleration reluctant rather than enthusiastic. However, the hybrid is much more palatable – it’s hardly lightning-quick but feels much less stressed keeping pace with the hustle and bustle of urban traffic. Its electric output could do with being a little gentler when pulling away from a stop to smooth out the driving experience, but it’s a minor bugbear.
36 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
