New Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen has revealed the first photographs of its new Touareg luxury 4x4, ahead of its world public debut at the Paris Motor Show next week. Sporting a new ‘face’, revised rear styling, updated interior and seats as well as the Dynaudio sound system as an option, the new Touareg will go on sale in the UK at the end of January 2007.

At the front, the new Touareg features a new grille, bonnet, front wings and bumper, plus new headlights and mirrors. The rear lights, spoiler, bumper and exhaust pipes have also been modified to freshen the 4x4’s appearance.

The new Touareg will feature new and revised technology, including ABSPlus and additional ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) features. ABSPlus has been developed and patented by Volkswagen and is a world first. The system shortens the braking distance by up to 20% on loose driving surfaces. New features have been added to the ESP, these include Active Rollover Protection (ARP), rain brake support, fading brake support and understeer control logic, which improves the turning behaviour in the event of understeer. The UK line-up will remain as before with three trim levels – Touareg, SE and Altitude – all of which boast high levels of standard specification and trim.

Four engines will be available: one petrol and three diesel. These are a 3.6-litre V6 280 PS petrol; 2.5-litre TDI 174 PS with DPF (diesel particulate filter); 3.0-litre V6 TDI 225 PS with or without DPF; and the range-topping 5.0-litre V10 TDI with 313 PS and DPF. The 2.5-litre TDI will be available as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and optional Tiptronic automatic transmission. All other engines will be mated to the six speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

The current Touareg model went on sale in the UK in May 2003. The car is designed to deliver class-leading performance both on and off the road. Features such as permanent four-wheel drive, low and high gear ratios, electronic traction control linked to an auto-locking centre differential, hill start and descent assist and short front and rear overhangs all contribute to class-leading capability when venturing off the beaten track. Extremely steep slope angles are within the Touareg’s capability, and versions with air suspension can ford depths of up to 580 mm.

Since launch, over 10,500 Touaregs have been sold in the UK.

New Škoda Roomster Scout

Škoda Auto is introducing the Roomster Scout, a brand new version of its compact MPV. After the premiere of the Octavia Scout at the Paris Motor Show, the Roomster Scout is a second vehicle of the Scout family, a design line that adds distinct off-road elements to passenger vehicles.

Compared with the basic version, the Roomster Scout is mainly different in terms of new design elements and larger outer dimensions (4,219 mm x 1,695 mm x 1,650 mm). Just like the basic version, the Roomster Scout is a front-wheel drive vehicle.

The Roomster Scout comes with 16" alloy wheels in the standard package, 17" wheels are available as an optional equipment item. Developed exclusively for this particular model, the design of the Scout wheel is very distinct. In general, the Scout packet gives the Roomster a modern, leisure-time image. The side covers and the silver part of the rear bumper are items that have already become characteristic of the Scout line.

The SunSet system in the tailgate, rear side windows and the rear windows (dark tinted glass in the standard package) makes the vehicle's exterior even more attractive. The dashboard comes in the Onyx/Onyx and Onyx/Silver versions, the seat upholstery material is identical with that in the Octavia Scout.

Two four-cylinder petrol engines are available – 1.4 16V/63 kW and 1.6 16V/77 kW. Customers preferring TDI engines can choose between the three-cylinder 1.4 TDI PD/59 kW and the four-cylinder 1.9 TDI PD/77 kW. All of the engines come with five-speed manual transmissions, the 1.6 16V/77 kW version is also available with the Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission system.

The Roomster Scout is going to have a world premiere at the Essen and Bologna motor shows in early December. The market launch is planned for March 2007.

2008 BMW 5 series

More convincingly than any other car in its class, the BMW 5 Series combines supreme style and presence with sporting power and performance. And now the design, driving experience and superior comfort offered by the 5 Series reach a new standard of perfection. Highly attractive refinements to the exterior and significant, visible and tangible enhancement of style and sophistication in the interior accentuate the sporting, elegant character of the BMW 5 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon. The premium ambience within the car’s interior is borne out by sophisticated materials, attractive colors and re-designed interior elements and controls.

Power units more muscular than before and with exceptional all-round efficiency raise the line-up of engines in the 5 Series to a higher standard. Benefiting from this kind of power, the BMW 5 Series is entering a new dimension of Efficient Dynamics attributable to a wide range of enhancements on and around the engine for maximum fuel economy and minimum emissions. A particular highlight is BMW’s innovative High Precision Injection direct fuel injection technology featured on the twin turbo straight-six power unit in the 535i models. Other new drivetrain developments are the updated, quick and precise six-speed automatic transmission as well as BMW’s unique optional Automatic Sports Transmission with shift paddles.

Two engine variants on the new BMW 5 Series are available with BMW xDrive permanent and variable all-wheel-drive technology. In this intelligent all-wheel-drive system, optimized control and management electronics ensure spontaneous and precise response to changes in driving conditions.

The new BMW 5 Series also offers a wide range of innovations in driver assistance and comfort features. As an example, it is the only car in its segment available with Active Steering, BMW Night Vision, Head-Up Display and, new for 2008, Lane Departure Warning and Active Cruise Control featuring a Stop & Go function.

The standard iDrive control system, newly provided with six programmable memory keys, as well as an available navigation system with voice recognition, enhance the long-distance touring comfort of the BMW 5 Series.