MOTORING
MOTORING NEWS The latest news on all things motoring. By Nick Fletcher
MCLAREN VELOCITY
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McLaren is highlighting the level to which buyers of its new Super Series will be able to personalise their car by unveiling a dramatic 720S Velocity version, created by McLaren Special Operations. The McLaren 720S ‘Velocity’ costs £335,000 as a bespoke factory model. “The mission is to fulfil customer desire for exclusivity in their choice of McLaren,” explained Ansar Ali, Managing Director of McLaren Special Operations. “The lean, sculpted beauty of the new 720S provides the perfect starting point for owners to be creative and the specification of this MSO 720S ‘Velocity’ showcases a taste of the customisation options that are possible.” The striking ‘Velocity’ paint theme comprises two pearlescent hues of red; a newly formulated shade, Nerello Red, is used on the front and upper body panels of the car – including on the red-tinted visual carbon fibre bonnet – and fades into a vivid Volcano Red that covers the sides and rear of the car. The unique paintwork is complemented by lightweight alloy wheels, finished in a subtle shade of metallic bronze. A range of exterior carbon fibre parts selected from the MSO collection also features on the 720S ‘Velocity’. Complementing the exterior theme, red highlights are continued throughout the interior, including the fascia, steering wheel, doors and across the sports seats.
ROAD TEST: PEUGEOT 3008 GT LINE Peugeot says its new 3008 will become ‘a key player’ in the booming SUV sector, and anyone who sees the car – a radically different design from its predecessor - and what it offers will find it hard to argue with that assertion, writes NICK FLETCHER. The 3008, priced from £21,795, is very well kitted with even the entry level Active model having driver attention alert, programmable cruise control and speed limiter, auto emergency braking, 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a separate 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors. Launched in two-wheel drive form, you can specify a Grip Control option which in effect provides a form of all-wheeldrive for slippery conditions. There are 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre turbo petrol engines and 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesels, each with two power versions. But while the 3008’s generous specification and multiple engine options are stand-out features, the car’s stunning external styling and refined driving dynamics give it the sort of appeal that takes it to the head of the class. It has a beautifully designed and rather futuristic-looking quality interior and latest technology, and offers practicality and versatility, and a smart upmarket appearance which exudes the cool persona the SUV market requires.
On the road, the 3008 – voted Car Of The Year at the Geneva Motor Show by 58 motoring journalists from 22 countries reveals a neat balance of ride comfort with lots of grip and composed handling, taking corners with minimal body pitch and tackling rough surfaces with aplomb, despite its raised ride-height. The 3008 is roomy for front and rear occupants and the boot space at 591 litres, is one of the largest in the sector and expands to a massive 1,670 litres with the rear seats folded. The top-seller is likely to be the 1.6 diesel but my test model was the three-cylinder 1.2 litre PureTech GT Line turbo-petrol version which packs 130 hp, has a nippy 0-60 mph time of 10.8 seconds and fuel economy of 55.4 mpg combined. It’s a smooth, fluent and surprising powerful engine arguably best suited to those who do mostly local driving when its agility, fuel economy and low running costs come to the fore. This sporty version is £25,495 and extra kit includes 3D satnav, exterior sports trim, LED self-levelling headlights, and smartphone charging plate. The new 3008 is an impressive new model in an SUV class already packed with impressive models, and I struggled to find any negative points.
NEW FIESTA DEBUT Making its showroom debut shortly, the next-generation Ford Fiesta. Priced from £12,715 for a Fiesta Style, the range continues through Zetec and Titanium to high-tech B&O PLAY series, luxury Vignale and sporty ST-Line models available this Summer. Ford says the Fiesta will be launched with the most sophisticated range of driver assistance technologies and connectivity features ever in a volume small car in Europe, as part of the most comprehensive line-up of variants in Fiesta’s 40-year history. It will be the first Ford to deliver an enhanced version of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that can detect people who are in or near the road ahead, or who may cross the vehicle’s path, using light from the Fiesta’s headlights at night. Also offered for the first time on Fiesta is Ford’s Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, which helps drivers find suitable spaces and park hands-free nose-to-tail and side-by-side with other cars. Further enhanced for Fiesta, the technology can now apply the brakes if drivers do not respond to system guidance and proximity warnings while performing forward and reverse manoeuvres, and a collision with a parked car or obstacle to the front or rear is imminent.
The most popular Fiesta variant is the Zetec, with 58 per cent of customers of the current model opting for Zetec. This model will be priced from £14,215 with 15-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear heated windscreen and Ford’s SYNC 3 DAB radio with a 6.5in touchscreen with Emergency Assistance, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. New Fiesta will for the first time be offered as an upscale Vignale model. Priced from £19,345, the Fiesta Vignale features 17in alloy wheels, unique exterior body styling and front grille and distinctive interior in Black Ruby leather, heated seats and steering wheel, panoramic roof and rear view camera as standard.