Ford styles up the Transit van range

Ford has two new van upgrades for 2019, the new Transit Custom 1t van and the smaller Transit Connect. Both vans come with new interior styling and engine improvements.

The Transit Custom is powered by an improved 2.0 litre Ford turbo-diesel engine that claims better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Transit Custom will be available in 2019.

The smaller Transit Connect van range is powered by a new 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel or 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines. Ford claims a fuel efficiency improvement of up to 12%. This smaller van is also available with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox option. Prices start from €17,995, including VAT.

Volkswagen’s Touareg scores top in safety ratings

Volkswagen’s new Touareg large SUV has received top marks in the Euro NCAP safety testing programme with a five-star ranking. The Touareg received its impressive safety rating due to its comprehensive safety package consisting of an optimised body structure, a belt, seat, and airbag network, and innovative assist systems.

The SUV scores very good results in all four individual Euro NCAP categories. In the “Adult occupant safety” category, the vehicle scores 89% of the maximum mark.

The Touareg also scores 86 % for “Child occupant safety”, 81 % in the “Safety assist” category and 72 % in terms of “Vulnerable road users”. This new generation Touareg comes with the widest range of assist, driving dynamics and comfort systems that has ever been integrated in a Volkswagen.

The new Audi e-tron is the company’s first electric SUV.

Audi unveils e-tron electric SUV

Audi’s first fully electrically powered model, the Audi e-tron has been launched in the US market, with European offers on the way later this year.

The new Audi e-tron is an electric SUV that’s powered by two electric motors that are CO2-neutral and virtually silent. Audi claims that a new generation of the quattro drive provides the continuous and variable regulation of the ideal distribution of drive torques between the two axles.