Auto Express 1746

NO MATTER how much Ferrari protests, the new Purosangue is an SUV. “It’s a sports car opening a new segment,” CEO Benedetto Vigna insisted when the cover was pulled off the car for the first time. As you might expect, many Ferrari customers also own and use SUVs, with the Range Rover particularly popular. Even Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari, son of founder Enzo Ferrari, apparently has a Range Rover to tool around in. Unsurprisingly, he’s been a real driving force behind the new Purosangue. But as much as I’m sure the Purosangue will be a brilliant Ferrari – and we’ve seen nothing but brilliance from the most famous of Italian brands of late – I don’t think the Purosangue is going to tick all the boxes its buyers will want.…

sean_carson@autovia.co.uk ● Petrol-electric hybrid and an EV with a range of 300+ miles ● Dashboard is likely to borrow heavily from the Ioniq 5 EV SUCH is the pace of development in the compact SUV world that we’re never far away from a fresh debut – and the next car to take aim at the top of its class will be the second-generation Hyundai Kona. Auto Express understands that the compact SUV will break cover early next year, and development prototypes are already being tested around the world. As with sister brand Kia’s Niro family, it’s likely that the upcoming Kona will move to the Hyundai Motor Group’s latest K3 platform, and deliver greater practicality. Full-hybrid and all-electric models are expected to be offered, with the Kona HEV set to…

Alastair_Crooks@autovia.co.uk @AllieCrooks ● Range of 249 miles ● Four-wheel drive planned JEEP has taken the wraps off its first fully electric car: the Avenger. We’ve seen it testing before, but now we know what the firm’s new compact SUV will look like it reaches the UK in early 2023. The Avenger will be the first of four pureelectric SUVs from Jeep, with the retro-styled Recon, premium Wagoneer S and an as-yet-unnamed fourth model making up the rest of its full EV line-up. The range will help with Jeep’s firm plans to have an electric version of each of its models – and to only sell EVs in Europe by 2030. The Avenger will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, which will coincide with pricing announcements.…

TWO of Jeep’s other electric models, the premium Wagoneer S and rugged Recon, are heading to the UK, the firm’s boss has promised – delivering very different experiences on the same platform. Due from 2025, the new duo will use parent firm Stellantis’s new STLA Large bespoke electric platform. The Recon is described as a “brother to the Wrangler” and it has unashamedly taken design cues from that model, with an upright stance, a bluff front end, wide haunches and chunky bumpers. As with the Wrangler, the doors of the Recon can be removed and the roof is retractable to give occupants an added dose of the great outdoors. The Wagoneer S, however, will be positioned as a premium SUV, to go up against the BMW iX, Audi e-tron and…

Q Will Avenger open up Jeep to new customers or is it to help existing owners move across to electric? A We believe it will be ‘conquest’. We’ve had clinics for the car with customers, including in the UK. The reaction was substantial; Avenger is a more compact product, an EV, very functional, and the women in the clinics loved it. On top of that, even with the front-wheel-drive EV version, it’s really capable; we have hill descent control and the ability to alter the traction control system for different types of surfaces. And approach and departure angles are best in class, but also somewhat better than Renegade. Q You’ve stated a target of 400km of electric range for Avenger, which is more than Stellantis’s other small electric SUVs. Which…

Steve_Fowler@autovia.co.uk @stevefowler ● Four-seater due on sale next year, priced around £350k in UK THE Ferrari Purosangue, the brand’s first SUV, has been revealed – although the company is quick to claim that it’s not actually an SUV. “It’s unlike any other car,” says Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna. “It’s a sports car opening a new segment.” The Purosangue is the firm’s first ever four-door four-seater, with access to the rear via a powered, rear-hinged ‘welcome’ door. However, measuring 4,973mm long and 1,589mm tall, it’s only slightly shorter and lower than a Lamborghini Urus. The Lamborghini is considerably more practical, though, with a 616-litre boot compared with the Ferrari’s 473-litre luggage space. But when it comes to the price, the Purosangue is indeed in a class of its own. While an…