Cruze Hatchback first view

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week.

Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed.



Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra.



Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel.



The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze.



Images © GM Corp.



Related post:

Cruze hatch show car

Zafira Tourer Concept

Vauxhall / Opel is to unveil its Zafira Tourer Concept at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

Despite the ‘Concept’ tag, it gives a very strong hint of how the third generation Zafira is going to look.



While some styling elements - such as the striking Ampera-inspired front end - will probably make it onto a production version, others stand less chance. That latter category would include the edge-lit, full-length glass roof, although the panoramic windscreen might well end up being an option.

On the inside, there’s the Zafira’s signature Flex7 three-row seating system. A further development for the concept is the ability to convert the cabin into a roomy four seat ‘lounge’ configuration. This is achieved by folding down the centre section of the second row, which is then replaced by two armrests.



The interior design signals a move upmarket for the Zafira, although it’s expected that the caramel leather and deep-pile carpet of the show car will be replaced by more family-friendly trim by the time that sales start.

Images © GM Corp.

Antara gets updated

The South Korean-built Antara is a fairly rare sight, a situation that Vauxhall will doubtless be keen to rectify with the refreshed 2011 model.

Power now comes from an all-new Euro 5 compliant 2.2 CDTI diesel (there’s no petrol option), which is available in two states of tune: 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) with 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque, or 181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS) with 400 Nm (295 lb/ft).



Kicking off the range is the £19,995 front-wheel drive Exclusiv, obviously priced to undercut SUV rivals such as the £22,300 diesel Volkswagen Tiguan S. Featuring the lower horsepower engine and a revamped six-speed manual gearbox, it’ll accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h).



Combined cycle fuel consumption of 44.8 mpg (6.3 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 167 g/km aren’t too bad. However, those figures are easily bettered by front-wheel drive versions of the Tiguan and BMW X1, both of which achieve more than 50 mpg (5.6 l/100km) and less than 140 g/km.

The all-wheel drive system can be specified with either engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Under normal conditions all power still gets sent to the front wheels, but up to fifty percent will go to the rears when required. As expected, buyers have to pay extra for the extra traction, with prices rising to £26,905 for the 181 bhp Antara SE Automatic.



Development work has also been carried out on the chassis. The ABS system is improved, and Hill Start Assist is now fitted as standard. Suspension settings have also been revised, with the aim of improving handling while maintaining a decent ride quality.



On the interior there’s better quality upholstery and trim and a new centre console. Exterior changes have been limited to a redesigned grille and lights, plus the fitment of protection panels front and rear.



Vauxhall / Opel is saying that 15,000 Antara sales are expected during 2011, rising thereafter to 20,000 per annum. The largest markets are anticipated to be the UK, Russia, Italy and Germany.



Images © GM Corp.

Top 10: UK car sales 2010

Despite the car scrappage scheme ending in March, figures just published reveal that UK car sales managed to rise very slightly in 2010 compared to the previous year.



Total registrations were 2,030,846, up 1.80% on 2009’s figure. This modest growth was mainly down to increased fleet activity, particularly in the first half of the year.



However, the harsh economic climate continues, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is predicting that sales will fall by 5% in 2011.



The ten best-selling cars in the UK during 2010 were:



1. Ford Fiesta (103,013 registered)

Despite its overall sales dropping by over 36,000 to 280,364, Ford was the manufacturer that shifted the most cars in 2010. The Fiesta remained the most popular model, too, and deservedly so. A great drive, decent equipment and affordable prices make it one of the best superminis on the market.









2. Vauxhall Astra (80,646 registered)

In its first full year on sale, the sixth-generation Astra managed to out-perform its rivals, even though the range has been criticised for its prices. Overall, Vauxhall registrations were up by almost 4%, finishing the year at 247,265.









3. Ford Focus (77,804 registered)

A perennial favourite, the Focus managed to secure third place in 2010’s chart. Sales weren’t too far behind the much newer Astra, a feat that was probably helped by some healthy discounts and fleet sales. Due to be replaced by the third-generation Focus in 2011.









4. Vauxhall Corsa (77,398 registered)

The Corsa is strong on refinement and comfort, but it seems a very large number of buyers still prefer the Fiesta. It’ll be interesting to see what impact the recently introduced Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty has on 2011’s sales figures.









5. Volkswagen Golf (58,116 registered)

One of the best all-rounders on the market, it’s no great surprise to see the Golf make the top ten. Overall, Volkswagen sales were up by over 8% in 2010, with 174,655 cars registered. That was good enough to retain third place in the manufacturer league table behind Ford and Vauxhall.









6. Volkswagen Polo (45,517 registered)

Under the skin, the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza have a lot in common with the Polo, but apparently customers are happy to shun the cheaper brands in favour of Volkswagen. Whatever the reasons for this behaviour, sixth place was a respectable result for the 2010 European Car of the Year.









7. Peugeot 207 (42,185 registered)

Another decent all-rounder, although the somewhat gawky styling and lack of image might have put some buyers off. Peugeot didn’t have a bad year with total sales up over 6% to 109,324, making it the fifth most popular manufacturer.









8. BMW 3 Series (42,020 registered)

It has become a bit trite to say that the 3 Series outperforms its mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, but the fact is it does. Overall, BMW achieved 109,418 sales in 2010, an increase of nearly 11% that gave it fourth spot in the manufacturer table. A premium brand, but no longer exclusive?









9. Mini Hatchback (41,883 registered)

A fantastic image, low emissions, that terrific chassis and extremely strong residuals continue to make the Mini Hatchback an attractive buy. The only things letting it down are a lack of kit on lower-spec models and a small boot.











10. Nissan Qashqai (39,048 registered)

This British-built crossover is arguably the ideal family car. There’s plenty of choice, too, with front- or all-wheel drive available and ‘+2’ extended wheelbase versions that seat seven. Total Nissan registrations rose by 15% in 2010 to 89,681, but it remained in eighth place in the manufacturer chart.

Buick unveils 2012 Verano

Buick has revealed the 2012 Verano, which will debut at this month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As with the larger Regal, the Verano is based on a Vauxhall / Opel model, in this case the Astra.



And why not? It makes sense for GM to have a slightly more upmarket alternative to the Chevrolet Cruze in North America, a role that the Astra fulfils in Europe. Such a strategy will also give the company further economies of scale from its Delta II compact car platform, which also underpins the Cruze and Astra as well as other models such as the Chevrolet Volt.

Verano (above) compared to its close relation, the Astra (below)

What differentiates the Verano from its European cousin is the four-door saloon body (the Astra is only available in five-door hatch and estate guises) and the choice of engine. For now, power will come from a 2.4 litre Ecotec four-cylinder motor that produces around 177 bhp (132 kW / 179 PS) and 230 Nm (170 lb/ft) of torque.

Coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox - no manual is available - Buick reckons it should be good for a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of about 8 seconds, while an EPA Highway rating of 31 mpg US (37.2 mpg UK / 7.6 l/100km) is expected. A 2.0 litre turbo engine is due to join the range at a later date.



High levels of luxury and refinement were the focus during the Verano’s development and, to help achieve the latter, extra sound insulation, triple-sealed doors and acoustic glass have all been employed. Buick must be confident about the results, because it’s citing the Lexus IS 250 and Audi A3 as target competitors.

The 2012 Buick Verano will go on sale during the fourth quarter of 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.



Images © GM Corp.

2012 Buick Verano Technical Specification
Body
Style	Four-door, five-passenger compact car
Driveline	Front engine transaxle, front-wheel drive
Construction	Integral steel body-frame with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel; thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
Engine
Type	Ecotec 2.4L DOHC I-4 (LEA)
Displacement (cu. in. / cc)	145 / 2,384
Bore and stroke (in. / mm)	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98
Block material	Precision sand cast aluminium
Cylinder head material	SPM cast aluminium
Valve gear	Overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust
Ignition system	Individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery	Direct injection and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio	11.2:1
Horsepower (bhp / kW / PS @ rpm)	177 / 132 / 179 @ 6,200 rpm (SAE certification pending)
Torque (lb/ft. / Nm @ rpm)	170 / 230 @ 4,800 rpm (SAE certification pending)
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded or E85
Emissions controls	Close-coupled catalytic converter, variable valve timing, positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system
Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy mpg US)	22 / 31
Transmission
Type	Hydra-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic, transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive
Gear ratios (:1)	First 4.58, second 2.96, third 1.91, fourth 1.45, fifth 1.00, sixth 0.75; reverse 2.84; final drive 3.23
Chassis
Front suspension	Independent, MacPherson strut-type with side-loaded strut modules, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings
Rear suspension	Specifically adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear, Z-link (tuneable control arm)
Traction control	All-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering	Rack-mounted electric power steering
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock	2.8
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / metres)	36 / 11
Steering ratio	15.5:1
Brakes	Power-assisted four-wheel disc, electronic brake force distribution and ABS
Front brake disc diameter (mm / in.)	300 / 11.8 vented; single-piston with steel caliper
Rear brake disc diameter (mm / in.)	292 / 11.5 vented; single-piston with steel caliper
Total swept area (cu cc; pad area)	TBD
Wheel size and type	Standard 17” forged alloy; optional 18” alloy (two designs available)
Tyres	225/50R17 ALS / 235/45R18 ALS
Dimensions
Wheelbase (in. / mm)	105.7 / 2,685
Overall length (in. / mm)	183.9 / 4,671
Overall width (in. / mm)	71.4 / 1,815
Overall height (in. / mm)	58.4 / 1,484
Track width front (in. / mm)	60.7 / 1,544
Track width rear (in. / mm)	61.3 / 1,558
Curb weight (lb / kg)	3,300 / 1,497
Headroom front (in. / mm)	38.3 / 973 (without sunroof); 37.2 / 945 (with sunroof)
Headroom rear (in. / mm)	37.8 / 960 (without sunroof); 37.8 / 960 (with sunroof)
Legroom (in. / mm)	42 / 1,068 (front); 33.9 / 861 (rear)
Shoulder room (in. / mm)	55.1 / 1,399 (front); 53.8 / 1,343 (rear)
Hip room (in. / mm)	53.7 / 1,364 (front); 51.9 / 1,320 (rear)
Passenger volume (cu. ft. / litres)	95 / 2,690
Cargo volume (cu. ft. / litres)	15.2 / 430 (max. with tyre inflator kit and without Bose Premium Audio); 14.3 / 405 (with spare tyre / jack kit and without Bose Premium Audio); 14 / 396 (with spare tyre/jack kit and Bose Premium Audio)
Capacities
Trailer towing maximum (lb. / kg)	1,000 / 454
Fuel tank (gal. / litres)	15 / 57
Cooling system (qt. / litres)	TBD

Nine electric cars get grant

The UK’s Department for Transport has announced the first nine models that will be eligible for its Plug-in Car Grant.



Beginning in January 2011, the scheme will see buyers able to claim 25% off the list price (up to a maximum of £5,000) per qualifying vehicle. The government has allocated £43M for the grants up until the end of March 2012, with a review of the programme’s viability beyond that date scheduled for January 2012.



The nine are:

Manufacturer	Model	First UK Deliveries	Price
Mitsubishi	i-MiEV	January 2011	£23,990 including grant
smart	fortwo electric drive	January 2011	TBC. Available to lease in limited volumes from January 2011 ahead of full series production starting in 2012
Peugeot	iOn	January 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Nissan	Leaf	March 2011	£23,990 including grant
Tata	Vista EV	March 2011	TBC
Citroën	CZero	Early 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Vauxhall	Ampera	Early 2012	£28,995 including grant
Toyota	Prius Plug-in Hybrid	Early 2012	TBC. Currently only available to lease in limited volumes
Chevrolet	Volt	Early 2012	TBC

smart fortwo electric drive

Although it looks like there’ll be plenty for customers to choose from, the choice isn’t as wide as it first appears. The Peugeot and Citroën are essentially re-badged versions of the Mitsubishi, while the Ampera shares its underpinnings with the Volt.

Peugeot iOn

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Today’s news that motorists will be able to choose from at least nine cars under the consumer incentive scheme… will further reinforce the message that the UK is Europe’s leading producer of ultra low carbon vehicles."



Unfortunately the last part of that particular statement shouldn’t be taken at face value just yet. The only model on the list that is definitely confirmed for UK production is the Nissan Leaf. However, domestic manufacturing will only start in 2013, with cars being imported from Japan until then.



Meanwhile, GM Europe has yet to decide whether the Vauxhall Ampera will be built at Ellesmere Port in England, but it has confirmed that the Ampera’s UK price will be £28,995 after the Plug-in car Grant has been applied.

Vauxhall Ampera

A surprising inclusion is the Tata Vista EV, mainly because it’s an unknown quantity in the UK. Apparently it has been developed from the Indica Vista, the previous version of which was the basis for the almost universally unloved and derided CityRover.

Tata Indica Vista

Tata Motors European Technical Centre in Warwick has been involved in the project, and the rumour is that the Vista EV may be built in the UK. A location has yet to be disclosed so, unless there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes, an on-sale date of March 2011 seems very optimistic unless the initial cars are going to be imported from India. And then there’s the slight issue of not having a dealer network to sell through. Maybe Tata will use the showrooms of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries?



Related posts:

Leaf is Car of the Year

US to get wider i-MiEV

SMMT Electric Car Guide

Mitsubishi i-MiEV costs

UK i-MiEV prices slashed

Electric car grants saved

PSA goes electric

The future’s electric

Revised Vauxhall VXR8

UK buyers will once again be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall VXR8. Available from next March, this latest version is based on the just-launched E Series 3 GTS model from Holden’s HSV division.

Power comes from GM’s 6.2 litre LS3 V8, which also sees service in the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette LT. In the VXR8, it’s rated at 425 bhp (316 kW / 431 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the Vauxhall from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



Drive is to the rear wheels, although customers can choose whether this goes through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A mechanical limited slip differential features as standard.

The VXR8 also comes with some trick chassis technology. Magnetic Ride Control has been borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, and it allows for continuously adjustable suspension via magnetic particles in the dampers. Launch Control meanwhile does pretty much as the name suggests. Engaged when the Electronic Stability Control’s Competition Mode is selected, it governs how much torque is delivered to the rear wheels for maximum traction when accelerating away from standstill.



Inside the cabin, the 2011 VXR8 is equipped with leather-trimmed HSV performance seats, which have eight-way electric adjustment. Those of an enthusiastic nature can monitor their progress via the Enhanced Driver Interface. This displays things like G-force, how much the car is drifting and lap times on the dashboard’s five-inch screen. The data can then be downloaded later to let the driver bore their friends with endless analysis and bragging. Handy for track days, though.

Only six dealers have been chosen to sell the VXR8 in the UK, although a further 28 have been authorised to service it. The on the road price, including VAT at 20%, has been set at £49,500 and orders can be placed from later this month.



That’s certainly a lot for a Vauxhall, and it’ll doubtless put some badge snobs off. But that would be missing the point. Similarly-sized V8 sports saloons from the premium manufacturers are much more expensive, with the Jaguar XFR and Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon costing £62,600 and £71,900 respectively. The smaller BMW M3 Saloon is currently listed at £51,805, and it's probably more of a natural competitor to the VXR8 on price and performance, if not on size.

Leaf is Car of the Year

The Nissan Leaf has been declared 2011 European Car of the Year. It’s the first electric car to win the title, but it wasn’t a unanimous decision.

Fifty-seven motoring journalists from across the continent formed a jury to decide the winner, and each was given twenty-five votes to distribute across the seven finalists. The contest rules stipulate that they had to allocate those votes to at least five cars, with no more than ten points allowed for any one model.



Only three jurors gave the Leaf a maximum score, but nine didn’t give it any votes at all.

Such a divergence of opinion reflected that while it’s technically interesting, the Nissan is still unproven in real world conditions. Some of the journalists also recognised that the Leaf is very much a first generation electric car; future models will undoubtedly have better range, shorter recharging times, and cost less.



Consequently, it was a close result, with second and third spots being occupied by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Vauxhall / Opel Meriva.

2011 Car of the Year
Position	Model	Votes
1	Nissan Leaf	257
2	Alfa Romeo Giulietta	248
3	Vauxhall / Opel Meriva	244
4	Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max	224
5	Citroën C3 / DS3	175
6	Volvo S60 / V60	145
7	Dacia Duster	132

Related posts:

2011 CotY nominations

Electric car grants saved

Leaf to be built in UK

Alfa Giulietta prices

2012 Buick Regal GS

Buick has unveiled the halo version of its Regal, the model that’s based on the Vauxhall / Opel Insignia.

Called the GS, it will come with a turbocharged two-litre Ecotec four-cylinder engine connected to a six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic will also be available later). An output of 255 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque promises brisk performance, with Buick estimating that the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint should be achieved in under seven seconds.

But the Regal GS is front-wheel drive, which raises a rather obvious question: Why didn’t Buick simply badge-engineer the Vauxhall Insignia VXR (also known as the Opel Insignia OPC)?



Not only do the European cars get a 2.8 litre V6 turbocharged Ecotec motor with 320 bhp (239 kW / 325 PS) and 435 Nm (321 lb-ft) of torque, but they also feature permanent four-wheel drive. As a result, the VXR / OPC gets from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



However, one benefit of sticking to just four cylinders is better fuel consumption. The manual and automatic versions of the Regal GS achieve Highway economy figures of  29.0 mpg US (34.8 mpg UK / 8.1 l/100km) and 28.0 mpg US (33.6 mpg UK / 8.4 l/100km) respectively, which is virtually identical to what the 220 bhp (164 kW / 223 PS) Regal CXL Turbo manages.



255 bhp is still a lot of horsepower to go through the front wheels, though. To help combat the inevitable torque steer, Buick has fitted High Performance Strut (HiPerStrut) front suspension which maintains negative camber during cornering.



Other chassis gizmos include active Computer Damping Control (CDC), which continuously modifies damper characteristics according to the road surface, and an Interactive Driver Control System that changes suspension settings and steering response depending on whether ‘Standard’, ‘Sport’ or ‘GS’ mode has been selected. Whether all of that technology is a substitute for all-wheel drive remains to be seen.



The Regal GS is scheduled to go on sale in the second half of 2011, so Buick is certainly making anyone who’s interested in the car wait for it.



Pricing has not yet been confirmed, but the GS will enjoy a decent standard specification which includes 19” alloy wheels (20” optional), Bluetooth telephone connectivity, passive keyless entry with push-button start, Harmon/Kardon 320 watt sound system with nine speakers, XM Satellite Radio, sports seats with leather upholstery, heated driver and front passenger seats, front and rear park distance control and bi-xenon headlights.

2011 CotY nominees

The seven finalists in Europe’s 2011 Car of the Year contest have been announced:

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta


• Citroën C3 / DS3


• Dacia Duster


• Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max


• Nissan Leaf


• Vauxhall / Opel Meriva


• Volvo S60 / V60

Notable is the Leaf, which is the first purely electric car to reach this stage of the competition.



All new models were eligible for the award, provided that they were already on sale (or soon would be) in five or more European markets, and are expected to achieve annual retails of 5,000 or more. This year, there were 41 that met the criteria.



A first stage of voting, which involved motoring journalists from across the continent, whittled those candidates down to the final nominees. The list of cars that failed to make it onto the shortlist makes interesting reading, too, and it includes some surprises:

• Audi A1


• BMW 5 Series


• Honda CR-Z


• Mini Countryman


• Mitsubishi i-MiEV / Citroën C-Zero / Peugeot i-On


• Nissan Juke


• Renault Fluence

The jurors will now have a second vote to determine the 2011 Car of the Year, and the winner will be announced on 29 November 2010.

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s.



Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96.



Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox.



The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range that it really impresses: the 50-70 mph (80-112 km/h) acceleration time is only 6.3 seconds, perfect for overtaking. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Erik Carlsson with the Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson special edition

Naturally, with that powertrain, the Saab was never going to be the greenest of cars. CO2 emissions are 269 g/km, and it’ll only manage a modest 25mpg (11.2 l/100km) on the combined cycle.



But if the 9-3 Aero Carlsson is going to cost a bit to keep fuelled up, potential owners will be consoled by knowing that they probably won’t need to spend any money on optional extras. That’s because Saab seems to have added most of them already.



Standard specification includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, Bose stereo, sports suspension with rear body levelling, bi-xenon cornering headlights, 19” alloy wheels, leather interior trim, electric front seats, twin exhaust tailpipes and a rear boot lid spoiler.



So, lots of horsepower and loads of kit… but how much? Incredibly, the 9-3 Aero Carlsson is priced at just £26,495. That’s actually £560 less than a ‘normal’ 9-3 Aero 1.9TTiD 180.



However, anyone interested will have to be quick - only 96 examples will be produced (that number being a nod to the Saab 96 that Carlsson drove back in 1960), and they will be available in the UK only.



There aren’t too many all-wheel drive compact saloons on the market with more than 250 bhp, so direct competitors for the 9-3 Aero Carlsson are somewhat thin on the ground.



Vauxhall has the Insignia VXR 4x4 which, with its 320 bhp (239 kW / 325 PS), can boast quite a bit more power than the Saab. It’s also quicker - 0-60 mph (96 km/h) takes 5.6 seconds - but it also costs more. The list price is £33,125 and leather is extra, but the current ‘Vauxhall Internet Only’ price of £28,350 indicates that there’s plenty of room to haggle.



Another potential rival is the Audi A4 Saloon. However, to get all-wheel drive and similar performance levels to the 9-3 Aero Carlsson, buyers would probably have to go for the 3.2 FSI S Line quattro tiptronic. That version costs £35,910, almost £10,000 more than the Saab, although that’s before any of the options needed to match the spec of the 9-3 have been selected.