Car Review: 2017 Suzuki S-Cross Turbo Prestige.

Suzuki continues to cement its position as a leader in the small car market by giving us an updated 2017 Suzuki SX-4 S-Cross. Although a sort of SUV look, it’s not. It’s front wheel drive only, powered by a ripper petrol fuelled turbo four. Like it so far? Private Fleet does.There’s three trim levels, simply named GL, Turbo, and Suzuki S-Cross Turbo Prestige. The test car, the Prestige, gets the same 1.4 litre turbo engine as the Turbo, however the GL is the outgoing model. Just need to clarify that…

Anyways, there’s a simple question the S-Cross Turbo poses. Is it any good? Most of the time a simple question has a simple answer and so it is with this car. Yes.First up, there’s that belter of an engine. 1.4L. 16 valves. Turbocharged. 103 kilowatts. Torque: 220 of them between 1500 to 4000. Transmission: six pseed auto. Potency level? High. This combination is superb. It reacts to a breath on the go pedal, the gearbox is crisp, shifts quickly and without fuss, and even with traction control on, will happily and merrily chirp the front driven 215/55/17 Continental tyres. It’s a corker. Consumption in a mainly urban environment finshed on 6.7L per 100 km from the 1170 kilogram plus fuel (47 litre) and passenger vehicle.It’s a ripper handler too, with beautifully weighted steering connecting the driver to the road and providing plenty of feedback. The ride quality also is near nigh perfect with a supple mix of sporting and absorption offering an ideal combination of tautness and comfort from the McPherson strut/torsion beam suspension.Tip it into a tightening radius corner and the body will lean but ever so slightly, whilst the tiller requires minimal input to adjust to the curver coming in on itself. Pound it across the sunken and raised sections of various tarmac roads and you’ll feel a small bump before it passes and the chassis settles rapidly. Brake wise it’s spot on, with feedback straight away and a progressive travel allowing a driver to judge just….when…more or less pressure was needed.Suzuki have also performed a stunning piece of engineering upon the S-Cross, managing to squeeze apartment sized room inside a shoebox. The S-Cross is a mere 4300 mm in length, stands tallish at 1585 mm and spans 1785 mm horizontally. Inside that overall length is a 2600 mm wheelbase, ensuring ample leg, shoulder, and head room for four people, although three up in the rear seat is a touch squeezy. Luggage space is also huge at 430L to 1269L, including a double tray storage plus there’s the usual assortment of bottle and cup holders.The interior design is now familiar and standard Suzuki; there’s the four quarter touchscreen with Navigation, Apps, radio and Phone plus voice activation, traditional and eminently usable dials for the aircon, blue backlit driver’s binnacle dials and a simple to read and use monochrome screen between them. The dash and console design is a curvy design, flowing around into the doors in a clear swoop and with airvents/gear selector surround/door trim highlighted in alloy look plastic. The manually adjusted seats seats are heated (not cooled) and are a comfortable mix of leather and cloth. Of course the rear seats are 60/40 in split and foldable to allow access to that capacious and well trimmed boot. If there’s a negative it’s a small but persistent one. The setbelt straps in the height adjustable locaters were double strapped, as in both front and rear were reachable to pull over and it was the rear strap, not front, that kept getting grabbed.Outside it’s unrecognisable from the original SX4 of 2007 and noticeably different from the superceded model The tail lights have been subtly but obviously refreshed however it’s the bluffer, more “no nonsense” front end that has the 2017 S-Cross standing out. Although the headlight cluster (LED projector on the Prestige) looks almost the same, they’re a touch more angular and feature dusk sensing in the Prestige. It’s the stand out proud reprofiled nose, with an assertive chrome grille, polyurethane black running from the centre to the rear along the flanks and with a splash of metal chrome around the globe lit DRLs. There’s a crease line and stance not unlike Ford’s Escape, a 180 mm ride height, and hi-vis polished alloys to finish the visual appeal.Safety is high, as usual, with reverse camara, sensors front and rear, Hill Hold Control, 2 ISOFIX points, seven airbags including knee, electronic driver aids, even an auto dimming rear vision mirror. Servicing is capped for up to 5 Years / 100,000km and you’ll get a 100,000 km or three year warranty.

At The End Of The Drive.
Suzuki have pretty much stamped themselves leaders of the small car builders. There’s a new Jimny on the way as well to further fuel the fire of desire for this slightly quirky but nonetheless enjoyable brand from Japan. The 2017 Suzuki S-Cross Prestige Turbo builds upon their revamped range and is a genuine contender for best in class. Find out more about this pearler, here: 2017 Suzuki S-Cross Turbo Prestige http://credit-n.ru/credit-card-single-tinkoff-platinum.html

Car Recall Over Dodgy Airbags

It’s good to get important safety information out there, particularly when some of the cars on our roads could be really quite unsafe.  Recently, there has been a Takata airbags recall due to some faulty airbag systems placed in certain modern cars of specific makes and models.

A US authority investigated for underlying faults present in airbag systems.  They had information that certain airbags had had a problem with the airbag inflators.  In order to confirm the fault was at large, they had a research and engineering firm Battelle perform testing on some airbags by test airbag inflators in their lab.  The results were quite alarming and showed that in Takata airbags there were airbag inflators that had deteriorated with age and, when they were deployed, the inflators exploded and shattered the casing material.  If there did happen to be an occupant behind one of these airbags in a car accident, then the hurtling material, set off like a grenade, would strike the seat occupants head and chest areas causing severe injury and in some cases death.

The airbag inflators contain ammonium nitrate propellants which can become volatile as they age when exposed to changing temperatures, humidity and moisture.  This volatility can cause them to explode and thrust shrapnel into both drivers and passengers inside the vehicle.  The flying debris has been known to puncture people’s eyes, face, neck and chest.  Faulty Takata airbags have also been linked to 18 deaths globally.

The results in the testing drove the car manufacturers (who had used Takata airbag systems in their cars) to reacall the vehicles to fix the problem.  This has been the biggest car recall in history, and there has been a waiting list for the replacement airbag.  A further investigation has also shown that some of the manufacturers have replaced the old airbag systems with similar systems that will end up with the same problem as they age, so the new device might not be a permanent fix. Not a very bright thing to do!

Choice investigators have said that millions of cars still have faulty airbags, and they want the car industry to do more to raise public awareness.  They also state that a number of car manufacturers — including BMW, Toyota, Mazda, Lexus and Subaru —have been replacing the airbags with like-for-like devices as a temporary fix – ultimately not fixing the problem.

Tom Godfrey, a spokesman for Choice, said that “Refitting vehicles with the same dangerous airbags still leaves people driving ticking time-bombs.”

If you think your car could be one of the 2.1 million Australian vehicles recalled, Product Safety Australia says that you should contact your local dealership or your manufacturer and find out if your car needs to have the airbags replaced.

At the time of writing, the list below names the makes and models of the known cars to be at risk of the fault.  This list is updated as new makes and models are recalled, so you can look up www.productsafety.gov.au for further details.

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Private Fleet Car Review: 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport

Jaguar, Range Rover, and Land Rover are on a massive charge worldwide with a spate of new models both in the works and being released, including the truly beautiful Range Rover Velar and Jaguar’s forthcoming i-Pace. But in the midst of all of this remains the heart of the three. Land Rover has just released a new Discovery and it’s backed up by the 2017 Discovery Sport. There’s three power plants available; a choice of two 2.0L diesels or a high revving petrol 2.0L. Transmission choice is simple in that you can have a nine speed auto, a nine speed auto, or….you get the idea. Peak power from the diesels are 110 kW or 132 kW, with torque being either 380 Nm or 430 Nm. Although there’s 176 kilowatts from the petrol four, torque is just 340 Nm however is tuned to come in at 1750 rpm according to Land Rover Australia’s website.A Wheel Thing drove the 132 kW/430 Nm version in a mainly urban environment but did go into a gravel and rock road national park environment. First up, the engine and transmission lack for nothing as a combination. There’s instant oomph on tap and a mostly smooth, invisible, transmission. Rarely was there a stutter from the gearbox but when it did it was invariably on a cold morning and in slow traffic. Once warmed up, silken was its name-o. There’s a fifty four litre tank on board and that’s a surprise. Driven in a predominantly urban environment, the Discovery Sport saw just 450 kilometres covered before needing an urgent top up. Average fuel usage hovered around 11.0L/100 km.Acceleration is rapid enough for most, with hardly any real sense of diesel chatter saying it was really being pushed. On tarmac there was plenty of grip to go with the up and go and when the drive mode was changed to Gravel the same applied. The electronics measure any potential slip faster than a human brain can calculate to adjust, with the result being a powerhouse car adapting superbly to driving conditions and delivering acceleration with alacrity, with the seat of the pants at odds with the official eight second or so time, and plenty of lateral grip as needed.Ride quality erred on the slightly harder side but not to the point it was ever uncomfortable. There was a slight difference in rebound between front and rear, with the back end just barely noticeably softer. The usual freeway undulations became smoother, unsettled tarmac was flattened, and even corrugations in the gravel were found to be nowhere as intrusive as anticipated. Handling itself is a delight as the steering ratio is calibrated to quicken up left and right the further you go. Sideways movement is rapid with no sense of mass working against the suspension and the brakes grab and haul the Discovery Sport up time and again with no apparent fading.Inside it’s familiar territory for anyone that’s a fan of Land Rover, Range Rover, or Jaguar. Clean, simple, ergonomically laid out cabin design bar having the window switches mounted up high near the window glass is what you’ll see. The leather seats are heated and they do take somewhat too long to get warmth into them. However, the steering wheel is also heated and this came in very handy during a cold snap in the time A Wheel Thing had the Discovery Sport.Each door sill has a glowing blue Discovery logo and there’s also adjustable LED lighting inside. Rear seat leg room is ok without being overly generous but there’s plenty of head and shoulder room to balance that. Behind the rear seat passengers, who also get heated seats, there’s also enough cargo space for a family of four…or some “golf bats” as they’ve been whimsically called by a certain TV host. Consider nearly 1700 litres with the seats folded accessed via the powered tail gate. All of this sits under a full glass roof with translucent blind.The dash is elegant in its simplicity; there’s a pair of dials in the binnacle with a small multifunction LCD screen in between plus a larger 12 inch touchscreen split into four quarters for navigation, sound, phone and extra information. It’s cleanly laid out and user friendly in its….user friendliness. It sits above a simple to use air conditioning control set of controls which show on the touchscreen when in operation and they sit above the drive mode buttons.It’s here that the Discovery Sport’s off road credentials are shown. There’s settings for Snow, Grass, Mud, Gravel and each have their own subtly discernible differences. The gravel tracks the Disco was driven on were dry, mostly flat, with enough corrugations and irregularities in sections to test the ability and agility and it didn’t disappoint. Long sweepers have the nose tucking in, the traction control gently nudging the rear back into line, and the suspension working in sync with the electronics to provide a truly premium feel off road. Should Sir wish to go swimming, there’s 600 mm of wading depth available, accessible via the 23.4 degree and 31 degree approach and departure angles.Combined with the new design ethos from the British brand, with elegant curves and a bold stance, a wedge look in profile, a blade style C pillar, and an assertive bluff front balanced by LED circles front and rear, it carries more presence than the 4.6 metre length would suggest. Perhaps it’s the 1724 mm height or the 2000 mm plus width, with the 245/45 Continental tyres on black painted 20 inch diameter wheels lending their look to the overall presence.Naturally there’s an almost bewildering combination of models and trim levels to choose from, along with a solid range of options, such as the Black Design Pack, the Graphite Design Pack (dark grey wheels, grille, roof colour and a choice of wheel sizes) plus a full suite of airbags and driving aids.At The End of The Drive.
Land Rover and Range Rover have just released new models, with the former a revamped Discovery and the latter the Velar. Sister brand Jaguar has also unveiled the XF Sportbrake. It’s a busy time for the three brands, and when there’s vehicles of the calibre of the Discovery Sport to choose from, it’s a good sign for the three.
Economy aside for the test car, it was a shining example of what Land Rover provide. It’s comfortable, well equipped, a more than competent driver on and off road, looks great, and has real presence. With a starting price of mid sixty thousand plus on roads, it also represents great value. Here’s where you’ll find all you need to know: 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/zaymer-online-zaymi.html

Small Is Beautiful Says Kia and Hyundai

Stonic. Kona. Not exactly names that fall easily to speak of but they’re the names to watch from Korea. Aimed squarely at yet another SUV segment, the B-SUV, it’s a segment forecast to see annual sales of two million in Europe by 2020, up from just over 1.1 million now.

Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Motors Europe, comments: “By volume, the B-SUV market is expected to overtake the C-SUV segment by 2020, when more than 1 in 10 new cars sold in Europe will be from the Stonic’s segment. The B-SUV segment attracts buyers from across the spectrum, with 21% of all customers upsizing from a supermini, and another 15% downsizing from their family hatchbacks. Cars like the Stonic also appeal to those looking to replace their compact MPVs. The Kia Stonic will be one of the most compelling new cars in this rapidly-expanding class, backed by Kia’s unique warranty, and the brand’s reputation for reliability, quality and contemporary design. As the segment expands, the Stonic looks set to become one of our best-selling cars.”

Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, says: “With the Kona, we have created a stylish and highly functional compact SUV, perfectly suited to the needs of customers who pursue challenging, action-filled lifestyles. We aim to set new standards for the compact SUV segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class leading safety features.”

Kia will offer a range of lightweight, downsized, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines are available, each paired with a manual transmission, maximising driver engagement and efficiency. Buyers have the choice of Kia’s lightweight 1.0-litre T-GDI (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, producing 120 ps (88kW), as well as 1.25- or 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated MPI (multi-point injection) gasoline engines. An efficient 1.6-litre diesel engine completes the range, offering the lowest emissions in the line up.

Hyundai will present A 2.0-litre MPI Atkinson unit produces 110kW, with a 0-100km/h time of 10 seconds and a top speed of 194km/h. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine delivers maximum torque of 179 Nm at 4500rpm.

The Gamma 1.6T-GDI engine boasts 130kW, a 0-100km/h time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 210km/h. The engine delivers maximum torque of 265Nm from 1,500 to 4,500rpm and is mated to Hyundai’s efficient and responsive seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT).

In addition to the 1.6T-GDI engine, customers in Europe can also opt for Hyundai’s downsized 1.0 T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine with six-speed manual transmission. This turbocharged powerplant is optimized for efficiency and produces 88kW, a 0-100km/h time of 12 seconds, top speed of 181km/h and maximum torque of 172Nm from 1,500 to 4000 rpm. Also available will be a 1.6 diesel engine for select markets, including Europe.

Kia has gone European for the Stonic’s cabin places technology and ergonomics at its heart, offering buyers as much potential for customisation as the exterior with a range of vivid colour packs for buyers to choose from. One of the smartest cars in its class, it provides owners with a range of new chassis and infotainment technologies designed to enhance safety, comfort and convenience. The car gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, bringing seamless smartphone functionality to the touchscreen infotainment system. Like other Kia models, it is available with a broad range of technologies to enhance comfort and convenience, including heated front seats, automatic cruise control and keyless entry.

Hyundai has upped the ante. The Kona boasts a suite of sophisticated technologies, paired with user-friendly functionality to ensure driver and passengers can stay informed and entertained. The premium infotainment system offers various advanced connectivity features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay where specified with a 5-, 7- or 8-inch display (offered as standard or option dependent on market). Further options include DAB digital radio (Europe), HD Radio (North America), rear view camera display, and 4G telematics (North America) to ensure absolute connectivity.

A new Head-Up Display (HUD) is fitted to the Kona, projecting a virtual image onto the clear glass panel mounted behind the instrument panel to enable the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road. With a projected image size of eight-inches at a two meter distance and class-leading luminance of more than 10,000 candela per square meter, the Kona’s combiner HUD ensures both excellent day- and night-time visibility. Information projected to enhance safety and usability include speed, navigation instructions, Lane Departure Warning messages, and audio information. Deployed vertically by a simple touch of a button beside the steering wheel, the combiner disappears into the dashboard when not in use.

In a first for the segment, the Kona features smartphone wireless charging. Available as an option with all Kona models, customers simply place a compatible smartphone on the wireless charging interface, located in the center console storage, to easily recharge without the need for cables. The system also indicates when the phone has fully charged, reminds occupants to remove their phone when exiting the vehicle, and detects when a foreign object is in the recharging area that could interfere with charging.

The Stonic’s design of the car is one of the brand’s most striking to date, yet it is immediately recognisable as a Kia thanks to key signature design elements, such as the ‘tiger-nose’ grille. Designed in Europe, in collaboration with Kia’s Korean design studio, the body blends sharp horizontal feature lines with softer sculpted surfaces. Customisability is important to many customers in the B-SUV segment, and the Stonic’s ‘Targa’-style roof enables buyers to choose a two-tone paint finish, inspired by the design of the 2013 Kia Provo concept. It will be available in up to 20 two-tone colour combinations, with a choice of five distinctive colours for the roof

The Hyundai Kona is currently due to go on sale in September or October, whilst the Stonic goes on sale in Europe at around the same time. http://credit-n.ru/offers-credit-card/ren-drive-365-credit-card.html