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FORD reveals the NEW Puma

Ford has unveiled the new Puma – an SUV-inspired compact crossover that fuses stunning exterior design, best-in-class uncompromised load space (456 litres), and sophisticated mild-hybrid powertrain technology, they say.

Using Ford’s EcoBoost Hybrid 48-volt technology, the mild-hybrid powertrain seamlessly integrates electric torque assistance with a low-friction, three-cylinder 1.0‐litre EcoBoost petrol engine to deliver up to a sprightly 155 PS.

It isn’t all about performance, the new Puma is of course packed with advanced driver assistance technologies for a less stressful driving experience, which include the likes of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring and stop-start traffic. There’s also the new Local Hazard Information, which can inform the driver of hazardous situations in the road ahead before they become visible to the driver or vehicle sensors.

For practicality the Puma is also the first vehicle in its segment to offer hands-free tailgate and Lumbar Massage Seat comfort and convenience technologies.

One of my favourite design aspects is shown in the video below. It’s an innovative rear sink-like stowage compartment that Ford have named the MegaBox and provides a deep, versatile storage space that is capable of comfortably accommodating two golf bags or plants in an upright position. The synthetic lining and drain plug in the bottom of the Ford Megabox makes it easy to clean with water - ideal for dirty tow ropes and shackles!

Ford say that the new Puma crossover is introduced with distinctive ‘personalities’ including the sporty Puma ST-Line and stylish Puma Titanium, reflecting individual customers’ preferences. They don’t mention drivetrains, so I’m going to guess that it’s only available in front wheel drive.

There are no prices available yet, but we do know that the Puma will go on sale at the end of the year.

Maserati GB has confirmed that the high performance Levante V8 range of Trofeo and GTS are destined to arrive in the UK market this Autumn.

MASERATI LEVANTE TROFEO & GTS coming to the UK

The pinnacle of the Maserati Levante range, Trofeo, is one of the fastest SUVs ever built, and boasts a top speed of 186 mph. Hosting a 3.8-litre V8 Twin Turbo engine and delivering 580 HP at 6,250 rpm, the Levante Trofeo features Maserati’s Integrated Vehicle Control System (IVC) along with a new “Corsa” (Race) driving mode with Launch Control functionality for more impressive driving dynamics, better performance, and a genuine Maserati driving experience.

Exterior-wise, a new aluminium bonnet with dual vents, 21-inch forged aluminium wheels, carbon fibre front splitter, front grille blades, side skirts and rear valance, along with Trofeo badging, make the range topping Levante unmistakable on the road.

The exclusive Trofeo Launch Edition, which is limited to only 50 units for Europe, is available in three unique exterior colours – Blu Emozione matte, Giallo Modenese and Rosso Magma whilst the interior featuring natural “Pieno Fiore” leather sport seats is available in black with red, blue or yellow contrast stitching. The

blue or yellow stitching is exclusive to the Launch Edition, which also features the new matte carbon fibre weave interior trim. Likewise, the distinctive design of the Maserati Levante GTS equally epitomises the Italian marque’s balance of performance grand tourer and luxury. Sharing the same 3.8 litre V8 Twin Turbo petrol engine, and developing 530 HP, the GTS also features an elegant exterior restyling focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper, giving the Levante GTS an even more aggressive and head turning presence.

The Levante V8 range is officially on sale in the UK from today with the Levante Trofeo available to view at Maserati dealerships during the UK tour starting on the 19th June 2019. The Levante Trofeo will also be making its UK public dynamic debut up the famous Goodwood hill-climb in the First Glance batch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in early July.

Pricing starts at £104,900 for the GTS, £124,900 for the Trofeo and £159,900 for the Trofeo Launch Edition.

VOLVO create ARMOURED cars

Apparently, there’s a growing global market for armoured vehicles at present, and because Volvo has received numerous requests over the past few years to develop an armoured XC90, they thought, “heck, why not.”

Volvo has extensive experience of building police cars, fire engines and diverse special vehicles with high requirements in terms of function, driveability and safety. In fact, did you know the first Volvo police car was delivered back in 1929?

Anyway, work to develop a car with a VPAM VR8 protection rating commenced just over two years ago. A certified VPAM VR8 rating means the car has 360-degree ballistic resistance as well as explosive resistance.

The armoured car is built on the Inscription version of the Volvo XC90 T6 AWD, which is manufactured at the Torslanda plant in Sweden. The size and nature of the model make it the most suitable vehicle in Volvo Cars’ product portfolio for armouring. From Torslanda, the car is sent to TRASCO Bremen GmbH in Germany, a company which has specialised for many years in building high-quality vehicles with high protection ratings.

The high-strength steel armour is 10 millimetres thick, while the thickness of the glass can be up to 50 millimetres. The armour adds approximately 1,400 kilograms to the XC90, which brings the total weight of the car up to 4,490kg (including five occupants). To cope with the increased weight, the car is fitted with uprated suspension and new brakes.

The Volvo XC90 Armoured (heavy) is available to order now and the first customer deliveries will be made at the end of 2019.

Volvo also develops another version of the armoured car (light). This means that Volvo Cars has a full portfolio of cars able to offer high personal protection. These cars are built on the XC60 T6 AWD Inscription or XC90 T6 AWD Inscription.

These versions are geared towards different clientele than the XC90 Armoured (heavy). Users could be individuals or companies requiring a car with a higher level of protection due to a geographical risk or a heightened personal threat. A market for these types of protective vehicles also exists among security services, the police, the diplomatic corps and private individuals.

Sales of these cars are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2020.

The all-new Kia XCeed is a new urban Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) from Kia which combines compact SUV practicality with the sporty packaging and engaging handling of a hatchback.

The Kia XCeed is designed to achieve the cabin and storage space of an SUV in a sportier body with a more compact footprint. Sitting directly between the Ceed five-door hatchback and the Kia Sportage, the Kia XCeed still manages to provide comparable interior space and luggage capacity to Europe’s best-selling SUVs.

With a suite of advanced safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies Kia reckon the XCeed is one of the most high-tech, comprehensively-equipped cars in its class. Powered by a range of fast-revving, turbocharged engines, it is also one of the most efficient, they say.

XCeed-ing all expectations

The XCeed is among the first vehicles in Europe to offer the brand’s innovative UVO Connect telematics system. Nope, we don't know what that is either, but their bumpf states that 'the UVO Connect links drivers to the world around by providing information via the in-car touchscreen and on their smartphone'.

Featuring Kia Live services and housed with an optional 10.25-inch TFT LCD widescreen, the system uses its own eSIM card to retrieve and update live data during a drive. This includes live traffic information, weather forecasts, points of interest, and details of potential on and off-street parking (including price, location and parking availability).

The second element of the UVO Connect enables drivers to send route directions to their car before a journey, and enables them to check the location of their vehicle at any time.

Due to go on sale across Europe in the third quarter of 2019, the newest member of the Ceed family will be sold with Kia’s 7-Year, 100,000-mile warranty.

We'll let you know the specs and pricing when we find out.

The all-new BMW X6

Almost a decade ago, BMW took the innovative step of blending the signature attributes of a 4x4 with the DNA of a classical coupe, and a new category of car was born: the Sports Activity Coupe.

In truth, it was and remains a bit of a ‘Marmite’ car, but as BMW put it, the X6 combines the benefits of a high-riding, allwheel-drive 4x4 with a slick, edgy design, which captured the imagination of those who just wanted something a bit different. With sales of 443,000 units worldwide across two model generations, its success has been undeniable.

Now, with a refreshed design, advanced powertrain and other goodies, the new X6 looks set to deliver once again.

The new X6 is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model and retains the new larger BMW kidney grille, but this time it’s illuminated and forms part of the daylight running system, not sure about that idea, though it can be switched off. The new X6 comes in three flavours: Sport, M Sport and M Performance all of which will offer superb performances, but more surprisingly, the new X6 is offered with an off-road package as an option.

This version can be identified by its rugged under-guard elements at the front end. The xOffroad package includes two-axle air suspension and an electronically controlled rear differential lock to offer four driving modes: snow, sand, gravel or rocks. At the press of a button, drivers can activate the ideal settings for the vehicle’s ride height, the xDrive system, the transmission control and the DSC system’s corrective inputs. Accelerator response also adapts to the driving mode selected. You can even opt for a set of ‘off-road’ tyres!

The new BMW X6 will celebrate its world premiere at the IAA Cars 2019 international motor show in Frankfurt in September. The market launch will follow in December 2019 and is available to order now with prices starting from £59,340 OTR.

Camp Jeep 2019, the largest annual event in the Jeep Owners' Group (J.O.G) calendar, will open to the public on 12 – 14 July and will be held in the heart of the Dolomites region attracting more than 1,200 Jeep enthusiasts and will feature over 700 vehicles.

Jeep say the three-day program will be a celebration of freedom, passion and adventure and the opportunity to experience the extraordinary off-road capability of the iconic Jeep Wrangler, and to put the entire Jeep range through its paces on the challenging mountain trails of the majestic Dolomites. Almost 25 miles of trails will be available for visitors to test Jeep models and put their own off-road skills to the test alongside expert Jeep Academy drivers, learning some extreme tricks along the way.

Fans and Jeep Owners Group (JOG) members from across Europe will also have a first chance to get up close and personal to the new Jeep Gladiator which has been uniquely customised by Mopar.

Along with the Gladiator, the new Jeep Wrangler 1941, again designed by Mopar will be on display. Fitted with Jeep Performance parts capable of enhancing its off-road capability that consist of a 2” suspension lift kit, optional snorkel, performance rock rails, black door sill guards, black fuel door and

Camp Jeep 2019

all-weather mats add to the specific configuration of this model.

The hardcore configuration is completed by a 1941 bonnet decal that commemorates an important year for the Jeep brand: the introduction of the Willys, also represented on other details of the vehicle such as the wheels, gear knob and tailgate table. The vehicle is also enhanced with other authentic accessories selected from the range of over 200 Jeep Wrangler options, which include the Seven-Slot front grille, mudguards, off-road lights and matt black mirror.

The Camp Jeep programme will include shows, barbecues, outdoors sports, activities for children, Ferris wheel, live music and, on Sunday, a Closing Parade will end the three-day program dedicated to off-road driving.

The link to register and take part in the 2019 of Camp Jeep programme is available at : www.jeep.co.uk/jeep-life/camp-jeep-2019.