THINKING OF BUYING a 162 car? Need a little inspiration? Here’s part one of our guide to some of the new models hitting showrooms before the end of this year.
CITY CAR
Volkswagen up!
Volkswagen’s smallest car is getting a facelift for 2016, with new exterior styling and more features as standard including added tech. The revised Up! goes on sale in November and will come with a 1.0-litre TSI engine with three power outputs: 60hp, 75hp and 90hp.
SMALL HATCHBACK
Ford Ka+
Expected in Ireland later this year, the all-new Ford Ka+ is a five-door hatchback based on Ford’s global small-car platform. With an overall length of less than four metres, the Ka+ is slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29 millimetres taller and provides 270 litres of luggage space. The Ka+ is fitted with a 1.2-litre petrol engine, which produces 85hp mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Prices start at €13,050.
FAMILY SALOON
Tipo
The award winning Fiat Tipo hits our shores in October and is set to be competitively priced at under €19,000. The Tipo will be fitted with the following petrol engines: 1.4-litre 95hp mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and a 1.4-litre 120hp and a 1.6-litre 110hp mated to an automatic six-speed gearbox. There will also be two diesels: a 95hp 1.3-litre MultiJet mated to a manual five-speed transmission and a 120hp 1.6-litre MultiJet mated to a six-speed transmission. The 1.3-litre diesel is likely to be the best seller in Ireland.
FAMILY HATCHBACK
Kia Optima Sportswagon
Kia’s first-ever D-segment tourer hits our shores in October and it sure is a looker. The handsome estate has a 553-litre cargo capacity and comes with a host of safety and technology features. Although the full Irish powertrain line-up has yet to be confirmed it is almost certain that the 1.7-litre 141hp CRDi unit mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or Kia’s new seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission will be offered on the Irish market.
COMPACT MPV
Citroen C4 Picasso
The new C4 Picasso boasts a redesigned front end, a two-tone roof and a choice of four distinct interior design schemes. New tech includes a Hands-Free Tailgate and new connectivity offering with Citroen Connect Nav. There is also a new 1.2-litre PureTech 130hp Start/Stop EAT6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, as well as a 110hp version with six-speed manual gearbox.
MPV
Opel Zafira Tourer
The Opel Zafira Tourer gets a substantial facelift with lots of changes both inside and out, as well as some added tech and safety features. The drivetrains and transmissions remain the same from the previous model. The facelifted Zafira Tourer hits showrooms in October and prices are likely to be in and around the same as the existing model, roughly €31,600.
LARGE MPV
Renault Grand Scenic
The Renault Grand Scenic gets a dramatic makeover and will be offered with five or seven seats and has 780 litres of cargo space and 20-inch wheels. It will also come with a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including active emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard for the first time in this segment. Prices are yet to be confirmed.
COMPACT CROSSOVER
SsangYong Tivoli XLV
The new SsangYong Tivoli XLV compact crossover is a five-seater with a huge 720 litres of cargo space. It comes with seven airbags, multi-function ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Active Rollover Protection, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), a tyre pressure monitoring system and a warning reminder on all five seat belt positions. LED daytime running lights and projection headlights are standard. It comes with a 1.6-litre 115ps diesel engine which produces 300Nm of torque mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The price will start from €25,495 for the entry level diesel (ES).
CROSSOVER
Peugeot 2008
The new Peugeot 2008 features new equipment, new colours and a new GT Line version as well as Peugeot’s new i-Cockpit cabin, combining a compact steering wheel and head-up instrument panel with an upgraded central touchscreen. The engine line-up sees a PureTech three-cylinder petrol unit mated to a five- or six-speed manual or five- or six-speed automatic gearbox and a 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel unit mated to a five-speed manual or a five or six-speed automatic transmission.
Read part two of our 162 new car guide next week.
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