CAR NEWS ROUND-UP DASHBOARD

POLESTAR has announced a major update for its 2 electric vehicle range.

The five-door ‘fastback’ has new electric motors, while those versions using just a single motor have made the switch to rear-wheel drive, having been front-wheel drive before.

The single motor now delivers up to 220kW – up from 170kW before – while torque has been increased from 330Nm to 490Nm.

Dual-motor versions have seen power and torque increased to 310kW and 740Nm respectively, up from the 300kW and 660Nm you got on the previous car.

The single-motor version can now travel for up to 395 miles –an increase of 52 miles – while the long-range dual-motor variant’s range has gone up by 65 miles to a total of 368 miles.

Prices start from £44,950.

B5 GT’s 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 can take car to 205mph

ALPINA has created the most powerful vehicle in the firm’s history.

The B5 GT is powered by a 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 engine that brings 625bhp and 850Nm of torque, enabling a 0-60mph sprint of 3.2 seconds in saloon versions or 3.4 seconds in Touring variants. It’ll also manage a top speed of 205mph, or 200mph in the Touring.

Alpina has boosted power over the regular B5 through optimised intake duct and air intake silencer, while the engine software and turbo boost pressure have been tweaked too.

The B5 GT uses a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, too, which incorporates a revised launch control for even better acceleration.

Velar now has larger battery

LAND Rover has revealed an updated version of its stylish Range Rover Velar, benefiting from a raft of new technology and a revised plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The Velar arrived in 2017 and was last updated in 2021 with the addition of a P400e plug-in.

This hybrid has now been updated further and boasts a larger 19.2kWh battery, up from 13.6kWh, which lets it travel for up to 40 miles on electricity, placing it in a lower company car tax bracket. The P400e can also now rapid-charge at 50kW, cutting charging times to 30 minutes for an 80 per cent charge.

Alfa Romeo

Plug-in hybrid version of Tonale revealed

ALFA Romeo has introduced a plug-in hybrid version of its Tonale SUV, with the Italian brand announcing the model will be priced from £44,595.

Joining the mild-hybrid Tonale that arrived in the UK last year, this Q4 model is the first plug-in hybrid to be offered by Alfa Romeo.

Sitting at the top of the Tonale line-up, the model pairs a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a maximum 276bhp output, which gives a 0-60mph time of six seconds.

RENAULT

Megane E-Tech gains new top specification

M3 CS arrives with 188mph top speed

BMW has unveiled a lighter, more powerful version of its M3 performance saloon – the all-wheel-drive CS.

Kitted out with lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic panels, the M3 CS has the same 3.0-litre twinturbocharged six-cylinder engine as in the regular M3 but with the power raised from 503bhp to 542bhp. Torque sits at 650Nm and, when coupled with BMW’s xDrive all-wheeldrive system, this results in a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds, while flat out the M3 CS will manage 188mph.

RENAULT has bolstered the trim levels of its Megane E-Tech with a new tip-top spec.

The new flagship ‘Iconic’ trim level includes a great range of standard equipment alongside some efficiencyboosting new functions.

Core to these additions is a heat pump, which can help the electric motor and battery deliver their best possible range when temperatures fall.

Renault says that when it’s below 10 degrees outside, the pump can increase the range by up to nine per cent.

Updated GLE models boast tweaked hybrid powertrains

MERCEDES has revealed an updated version of its large GLE and GLE Coupe models, boasting upgraded powertrains with hybrid technology across the range.

The current generation of GLE arrived in 2019 with a raft of new technology that made it one of the brand’s most advanced models to date.

For this 2023 model, there’s a new front bumper with additional chrome trim, while round the back are new LED lights. New colours are also offered alongside various updated alloy wheel designs.

LAMBORGHINI

Farewell to the V12 engine with pair of one-off supercars

LAMBORGHINI has called time on its famous naturally aspirated V12 engine with a pair of one-off supercars.

The Invencible coupe and Autentica roadster both use the Italian firm’s 12-cylinder 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 that became a calling card for many of Lamborghini’s famous models but is being discontinued because of tightening emissions regulations.

In both one-off vehicles, the V12 produces 769bhp, which sends that power to all four wheels via a seven-speed gearbox. Acceleration is likely to be similar to the Aventador’s zero to 60mph time of 2.6 seconds.

BENTLEY

Hat tip to Bathurst 12-Hour triumph

X5 and X6 SUVs have hybrid tech

BENTLEY has created a pair of special-edition Continental GT models to celebrate the fearsome Bathurst 12-Hour endurance race.

The event in Australia saw Bentley take the 2020 crown.

To celebrate, Bentley has created two special-edition models. Both are based on the standard Continental GT S spec but add bespoke features. The first is inspired by the livery of the winning racer, while the second reflects the colour of the second-gen Continental GT3.

BMW has unveiled revised versions of its X5 and X6 SUVs.

A key change with these new models is the addition of the German firm’s ‘Curved Display’ inside. It merges a 12.3-inch digital dial display and a large 14.9-inch touchscreen to give the cabin a very modern feel.

The cars also boast some form of hybrid tech. Prices start from £66,230 and £72,430 respectively. Expect first deliveries in April.

ARNOLD CLARK