Auto Express 1409

WE’RE well into 2016’s motor show season now with the Chicago show on this week, Geneva just around the corner and New York and Beijing following on. Already, we’re getting an idea of this year’s big motor show theme – hybrids. We’ve been impressed recently by the Daddy of the lot, the new Prius. Along with hybrid versions of the Yaris, Auris and now the RAV4, Toyota expects 50 per cent of its sales to be hybrid models by 2020. Kia has launched an interesting rival to the Prius in Chicago – the Niro – along with a plug-in version of the impressive Optima saloon. But it was while in the US on a visit to Kia’s (and Hyundai’s) American technical centre that the real potential and importance of hybrid…

THE first-ever BMW M2 goes on sale in the UK this April, bringing M car thrills to a new audience by undercutting the M3 by over £12,000. But in spite of its entry-level status, the M2 has been one of the brand’s most eagerly anticipated models – and one of the most hyped cars of the year to date. Even before we climb aboard, it’s clear that the car means business. The forged 19-inch alloy wheels appear cartoonish in size at first, making the two-door bodyshell look even shorter than it is, and the rear is dominated by the four meaty exhausts. While the exterior is free of any obvious aerodynamic add-ons, plenty of work has been done in the wind tunnel. For example, that deeply aggressive front bumper features…

“SEAT Full Link incorporates MirrorLink connectivity along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay” Richard_Ingram@dennis.co.uk @rsp_ingram SEAT has never had a proper SUV in its line-up, but the brand is now entering the family crossover market with the Ateca. Revealed at an exclusive event in Spain last week, the Ateca kicks off the SEAT SUV story, with at least two other models due before the end of the decade. According to boss Luca de Meo, it’ll help the brand “take another leap forward”, and return SEAT to “sustainable profitability”. At 4.36m long, it’s around 10cm shorter than a Renault Kadjar and similar in size to a Nissan Qashqai. The styling is pretty conventional, with a front grille and lights derived from the Leon hatchback, plus a roofline that tapers down at…

Lawrence_Allan@dennis.co.uk @LobAllan THE eagerly anticipated new Volvo V90 estate has been revealed early in these leaked official images. Ahead of the planned unveiling this week, pictures of the BMW 5 Series Touring rival were accidently published on social media. For now, all we know is that it draws heavily on the design of the Concept Estate seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014. Distinctive L-shaped rear lights combine with the prominent tailgate to give the car a far less boxy look than the V70 it replaces. The shoulderline swoops upwards towards the rear, and the sloping screen and neat spoiler give it extra presence. At the front, the V90 looks identical to the S90 saloon, meaning distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlamp designs and an oblong central grille with a…

A NEW all-electric Opel Ampera-e has been revealed, and could come to the UK as part of Vauxhall’s 29-strong model offensive, due by 2020. It’s based on the US-market Chevrolet Bolt unveiled at last year’s Detroit Motor Show. GM-owned Opel says the Ampera-e will have a longer range than most other electric cars, at 200 miles-plus. The “flat battery pack” also means the five-seater has extra room inside, as well as a big boot – something bulky batteries in EVs often prevent. While there are no hard details on the Ampera-e yet, we can expect around 480 litres with the rear seats in place. The Bolt features a 10.2-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, gesture recognition and Spotify music streaming. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also feature in the Bolt, so expect…

Steve_Fowler@dennis.co.uk @stevefowler “Kia claims its six-speed dual-clutch box provides a more connected experience than hybrids with a CVT” THE new Kia Niro, revealed at the Chicago Motor Show last week, brings yet another acronym to the car market: the HUV (hybrid utility vehicle). Although the Toyota Prius is never mentioned by Kia, it’s clear this is the car in its crosshairs – and it’s tackling it by packaging the new hybrid-only model in a more attractive and appealing crossover body. The brand hopes to have the Niro in UK showrooms in time for the 66-reg plate change in September. The Niro is a massively important car for Kia, as it’s part of a plan to triple its fleet of eco-friendly models by 2020. It’ll help Kia and sister firm Hyundai…