VOLVO CARS POOLE

MORGAN PLUS FOUR LM62 CELEBRATES SIX DECADES SINCE MORGAN’S LE MANS WIN

Morgan has announced the launch of the Plus Four LM62, a model which celebrates the company’s legendary class win in the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans. Based on the standard Morgan Plus Four and limited to just 62 examples, it pays tribute to the Morgan Plus 4 SuperSports – known by its registration TOK 258 – which took victory six decades ago.

The renowned TOK 258 was finished in dark green, while a particular shade of red was popular on motorsport Morgan vehicles of the time, and these two colours have inspired the hues available on the Plus Four LM62. A Heritage White hardtop – just like the one fitted to the famous race car – comes as standard, marking the first time this item has been available for the model.

Further paying homage to the victorious Morgan is an LM62 graphics pack, which includes roundels with the number ‘29’ – as per TOK 258 – as well as an LM62 rear badge, silver-painted wire wheels, a Le Mans-style fuel filler cap and a domed rear panel.

Inside, the model is adorned with an LM62 metal plaque, displaying the car’s unique build number from its run of 62 examples.

The Plus Four LM62 is on sale now and priced from £78,995.

JOIN THE ELECTRIC CAR REVOLUTION

The electric car revolution is underway, with fullyelectric and plug-in hybrid models accounting for almost one in five new car registrations in 2021.

Having been the first car manufacturer in the UK to offer plug-in hybrid models across the range in 2019, Volvo is adding the new C40 to its fully electric lineup in March. Joining the XC40, these compact SUVs offer a range of over 200 miles and fast-charging from zero to 80% battery in under 40 minutes using a rapid charger.

To celebrate the C40 launch, Volvo Cars Poole is hosting an Electric Drive Event. This is your opportunity to experience the technology found in a pure-electric car, driving a planned local route and collecting a gift along the way.

To register your interest, visit: www.volvocarspoole.co.uk/c40

T. 01202 065 555 582-602 Ringwood Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4LY www.volvocarspoole.co.uk

ROAD TEST: INEOS GRENADIER – A PROPERLY IMPRESSIVE OFFROADER

It’s rare to find a completely new marque entering the motoring arena. Rarer still when the company behind it has never been a vehicle manufacturer. Ineos is not a particularly familiar name to many, and for those who are aware known largely for chemicals, including medical applications, and energy generation, including renewables. It has also dipped its corporate toes into the motorsports arena with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team.

One of its consumer brands is the British fashion label Belstaff. The company has a long motor racing and sporting heritage famed amongst many things for supplying waxed motor cycle jackets to Lawrence of Arabia and the actor Steve McQueen.

The Grenadier 4x4 is the first offering from Ineos and a genuine off-roader that, rather obviously, takes a lot of cues from the old Land Rover Defender. After getting up close with a Grenadier prototype it is a properly impressive vehicle. Power comes from BMW 3.0-litre straight six, twin-turbo petrol or diesel units mated to ZF 8-speed automatic gears with manual override. The off-road ability comes from three diff locks and a two speed transfer box.

Inside there is a welcome lack of digitisation in favour of buttons and switches that can be operated with a gloved hand. In a touch of aviation appreciation there is an overhead console with pre-wired buttons so that accessories can be installed retrospectively with ease. This largely analogue interior will be welcomed by many, and especially those who need practical vehicles for work use. And the Grenadier is definitely a working vehicle. Steel wheels, hose clean flooring and a mechanical rather than technical bias in the engineering underline the planned working credentials of the Grenadier. Along with the use of proven BMW power units the Grenadier comforts its occupants with Recaro made seating. Even while being driven over some rough terrain the seats are superbly comfortable and hold you in position whatever the terrain.

Prices will start from £48,000, which is more than I expected, but certainly in line with this kind of vehicle offering from other manufacturers. This very capable newcomer is set for full launch around the middle of next year with reservations already being taken. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, and the man behind the Grenadier, said: “The Grenadier project started by identifying a gap in the market, abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle.” Gap filled!

ROAD TEST: ORA CAT - NEW ALL-ELECTRIC CAT ON THE PROWL FROM 2022

One of the most frequent criticisms of electric cars is their price, it’s all too often high and beyond the reach of normal drivers. Whether buying outright, increasingly unusual these days, or on some kind of personal lease scheme the costs are still prohibitive for many drivers. The other issue is our poor infrastructure in the UK, EVs are great to drive but only practically useful as commuter cars in the main, unless you have the funds to buy more premium models with a long range. Hence those higher prices are still dissuading a lot of motorists from taking the EV route, unless they also keep a combustion engine car on the drive.

You will struggle to find an EV for under £20,000 with only Fiat’s chic 500 Electric promising a decent range of 199 miles, but bear in mind, as with all EVs, this is a perfect conditions scenario. However, there is a potentially very useable new EV about to start prowling the roads with the launch of the ORA CAT. Due next year, and priced from around €29,790/£25,000, it has a promised range of 261 miles for the larger battery model.

It will perhaps be no surprise that the ORA CAT is from a Chinese company, Great Wall Motor who are best known in the UK for pick-ups. Two battery options are listed, 48 kwh with a predicted range of 209 miles, and 63 kwh that will offer the aforementioned 261 mile range. The ORA CAT reaches the benchmark 62mph in a relatively spritely 8.5 seconds and then on to a maximum speed of 100 mph. Technology includes a 10.25 inch screen with infotainment, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, lane keep, autonomous parking, facial recognition for fatigue and distraction detection, 360-degree camera integration, 12 ultrasonic radars and updates over-theair a’ la Tesla style. Additionally, there are full LED headlights, 18-inch alloys and safety wise 6 airbags.

Customers will have a 5-year vehicle warranty and an 8-year warranty on the battery.

Pre-orders of the ORA CAT 01 will begin in December 2021. While exact details will be revealed later this year, indicative pricing for the entry level trim version suggests the vehicle will be available to purchase for around £25,000. First deliveries of the ORA CAT are scheduled for the first half of 2022 and additional models and variants will be announced in due course.

ROAD TEST: SSANGYONG REXTON – UNFAMILIAR NAME, PREMIUM FEEL

It may be an unfamiliar name but SsangYong has been producing vehicles since 1954. The company currently has a three model line-up - the Tivoli, Korando and Rexton – plus the Musso pick-up range.

It’s the large Rexton SUV that’s the focus of our road test this time. There are two versions, the Venture and Ultimate, with the lead-in version priced from £37,995. Both versions use a 4-cylinder 2.2-litre diesel power unit mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and selectable four-wheel-drive with low ratio.

The standard equipment list is very generous even on the lower specification model. My Ultimate version is priced at £40,665 and comes with leather upholstery, power adjust front seats, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, dual zone air conditioning, LED lights, power tailgate, electronic cruise control, auto dimming rear mirrors, auto lights and wipers, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, exit and start, 3D camera and 7-seats. Phew! To say the Rexton is large is somewhat of an understatement. With seven seats it’s not only a genuine family holdall but a properly capable off-roader too. Fold down both rear rows of seats and you have the carrying capacity of a small van, albeit a very luxuriously appointed one.

On the road the Rexton’s slightly old-tech 2.2-litre diesel isn’t the most refined unit, particularly under hard acceleration, but nonetheless has a decent amount of punch and returns excellent fuel economy. If you found the roughest road surface possible, I really don’t think it would upset the Rexton’s interior comfort, such is the suppleness of the ride. No vehicle of this size is designed for sports handling twisting roads do highlight some body roll if you’re too exuberant.

The build quality is excellent and it has a premium feel throughout with sensible controls and buttons as opposed to the increasing trend of over digitalisation. Styling is very subjective but it’s fair to say the Rexton is distinctive, that overly large grille certainly won’t be to everyone’s taste. On the positive side it’s a welcome change from vehicles that all look the same.

At its price the Rexton is tremendous value, but residuals will not be to the level of more established badges. Having already driven the excellent Korando, SsangYong’s smaller SUV, the Rexton is a similarly impressive story. Even bearing in mind the residuals don’t let the relatively unknown badge put you off investigating the range more thoroughly.

ROAD TEST: AUDI A4 AVANT 40 TDI QUATTRO - THE IDEAL FAMILY WAGON OR SPORTING HOLDALL

At one time you could look at the badge on the back of a car and immediately know the model. It’s no longer the case. Take Audi for example, my recent test car was the A4 Avant 40 TDi quattro S line S tronic. Nothing so simple as telling you what trim level is or its engine size. The Avant signifies, in old fashioned parlance, estate, the 40 relates to the engine’s power (although how 40 relates to 201 hp is somewhat of a mystery), the TDi Turbo Diesel injection, quattro equals four-wheeldrive, S line the trim and s tronic alludes to the car’s automatic gearbox.

What isn’t a mystery is why the A4 Avant would be a welcome addition to any driveway. The range starts from £36,030 and my 40 TDi quattro weighs in at £42,070, and with options including a panoramic sunroof totalled £48,240. Standard fare includes sports suspension, LED lighting, high beam assist, leather front sports seats, brushed aluminium trim, powered heated folding door mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirror, 3-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, power tailgate, cruise control, navigation and front and rear floor mats and the list goes on. For a German car, where options usually include everything, the A4 has an excellent standard specification.

Diesel is not the fuel of favour, even less so than petrol, but economy is good and low down torque impressive. The sports suspension certainly helps the A4 go around corners with alacrity. Despite the S line’s reputation for a ride that’s on the firm side of firm the Avant soaks up the bumps well. The seats are somewhat of a different matter in that they stick to the suspension’s reputation of being on the firm side of firm. Or perhaps I’m just getting old! The instrumentation is a paragon of clarity and there’s not too much in the way of digitisation, although a full return to buttons by all manufacturers would be a welcome, if unlikely, step. You see, I am getting old!

With the high quality build you would expect from Audi, the A4 is not only a nice place to be but it’s practical too. You don’t have to have an SUV, estate cars may not be in vogue as they once were, but get the right one e.g. the A4 Avant and it’s darned close to being the ideal family wagon or sporting holdall.