Kia Optima Sportswagon

The all-new Kia Optima Sportswagon, Kia's first ever D-segment tourer, will make its global premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show (86th Salon International de l'Automobile) on 1 March. The car is inspired by the 2015 SPORTSPACE concept which was shown for the first time at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The Optima Sportswagon offers the striking exterior design and high quality interior of the 2016 Optima sedan, with the added practicality and appeal of a tourer bodystyle. According to Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe:

"The Optima has come to define Kia globally, and is credited with kick-starting the brand's design-led transformation. The SPORTSPACE concept from 2015 was a clear intention of where we wanted to take the Optima next, and the Sportswagon adds an extra level of style and practicality to the well-received sedan."

It should be noted that in Europe, two thirds of all sales are in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers The car will be available with a choice of efficient and responsive gasoline and diesel powertrains, including a high-powered GT model.

The Optima Sportswagon is due to go on sale across Europe in Q4 2016.

BMW's hands-free driving technology - BMW AirTouch

BMW recently unveiled their i Vision Future Interaction Concept Car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They showcased some of the future teach that we hope to see sometime in the near future.

The Vision Car is based on the BMW i8, and it includes a first in hands-free driving technology which they call the BMW AirTouch. It allows you to control the entire in-car display with a range of intuitive commands that use your whole hand, without having to touch the screen itself. Sensors record the hand movements in the area between the central console and the interior mirror, enabling the driver or passengers to change the content displayed on the large panorama display. Simple confirmation selects the relevant menu item or activates an icon.

 AirTouch has another option to confirm actions - a concealed AirTouch button on the rim of the steering wheel. Within easy reach of the driver's left thumb, it lights up when a menu or icon can be activated. One tap is sufficient to activate the desired program or change a setting. A similar button is positioned in the side sill door area for passenger use, enabling them to use one hand to navigate through the menu, and the other hand to confirm inputs.

The intelligent AirTouch menu control system reduces the number of steps needed to make a selection. For example, when activating the phone pad, the system automatically brings up contacts or call lists to the top select level, so that a call can be made with just one further action. AirTouch recognises which selection and control steps are required next and displays them in advance. This allows the driver to concentrate on the road ahead, and offers additional convenient control options when the vehicle is travelling in highly automated mode.

Who said girls can't drive?

"This is a man's car"
 

New Infiniti Q30 achieves Euro NCAP five-stars

The new Infiniti Q30 has received the maximum five-star in the latest Euro NCAP Assessment.

The Infiniti Q30 gained top scores in each of these four testing categories: occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist.

Occupant protection scored highly in the rigorous test program with an 84 per cent rating for adult safety. As well as a driver knee airbag, the Q30 has driver-, passenger-, front hip-thorax side and front-to-rear curtain airbags.

An automated system in the front passenger seat will turn off the front passenger airbag when someone fits a rearward facing child seat.

For Pedestrian Protection, the Q30 scored 91 per cent, a score which is determined from tests to the most important vehicle front-end structures, such as the bonnet and windshield, the bonnet leading edge and the bumper. The Q30 is equipped with a sensor that detects a pedestrian’s legs contact with the bumper and causes the hood to pop up to give more clearance between the hood surface and the hard parts of the engine to protect pedestrians.

An 81 per cent score in the Safety Assist category was due to the latest safety technologies fitted to the Q30 as part of Infiniti’s acclaimed Safety Shield system. They include Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Alert.

Click the link below for a detailed report of Euro NCAP’s findings:

http://www.euroncap.com/en/results/infiniti/q30/22031 .

Jaguar F-PACE and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible debuts at the 2015 Los Angeles International Auto Show

Jaguar Land Rover unveiled the all-new Jaguar F-PACE and the Range Rover Evoque Convertible during this year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show. This was among the 10 vehicles displayed. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible is the world's first luxury compact SUV convertible. On the other hand, the F-PACE is a five-seat performance crossover and the third all-new product from Jaguar this year. Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, the all-new F-PACE is the production version of the breakthrough C-X17 concept car and is developed from Jaguar’s lightweight Aluminium Architecture.

The Subaru Levorg debuts in Southeast Asia

Subaru has launched the Levorg for the Southeast Asian market in Taipei this week. The launched featured world renowned precision driver Russ Swift and Subaru Ambassadors Natalie Pickles and Monika Sta. Maria from Asia's Next Top Model.

Not sure whether the specs are the same between the UK and Asian models. In the UK, the 1.6i GT is available in three colours Crystal White Pearl, Lapis Blue Pearl and Steel Blue Metallic. It costs £27,495 (OTR White colour).

New Kia Sportage and Optima launched

Kia Motors unveiled the all-new Kia Sportage and European spec Kia Optima at the 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA).

The Sportage remains the brand’s bestselling model in Europe, accounting for more than a quarter of Kia’s European sales.

The fourth-generation Sportage builds comprehensively on the success of the outgoing model, with an attractive, all-new exterior design, a host of advanced new technology features and greater quality. The interior of the compact SUV is made up of higher quality materials and a modern new design, as well as improved practicality and a range of technologies to improve comfort, convenience, connectivity and safety.

For the first time, a new ‘GT Line’ specification is available to Sportage customers. Designed and engineered to appeal to those looking for a sportier driving experience from their Sportage, the GT Line specification delivers all the versatility of the standard Sportage while adding greater visual and dynamic appeal to those customers that desire it.

The new Sportage will go on sale across Europe in Q1 2016.

KIA also launched the new Optima model in European specifications. This is the third-generation D-segment model since it was launched in 2010. The all-new Optima builds on the worldwide success of the existing model, with a modern, new exterior, a bold interior design with more space for all occupants, an array of new technologies and a wide choice of efficient powertrains.

It will go on sale across Europe in Q4 2015, with a high performance ‘GT’ version.