Category Archives: Motoring

GENESIS, Motoring, SUV/4X4

Genesis GV70

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Premium motoring at a sensible price

The luxury arm of Korean giant Hyundai, Genesis is continuing to gain attention from curious car buyers, not least because of its eye-catching, sometimes dramatic styling and a more than passing resemblance to a Bentley with the winged badge and crest grille.

It also comes with a bargain, relatively, price. At just over £46k for this model, it undercuts similarly specced German rivals significantly, although like those models the optional extras can be eye-watering.

Offers a range of models, including internal combustion and electric with the focus on high-quality engineering, four-wheel drive, premium interiors, and advanced technology.

Smaller and more affordable than the GV80 but maintains quality, practicality and pace, in this case through a powerful 299bhp turbocharged petrol engine.

Mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this impressive all-wheel drive model can hit 60mph in just about six seconds. Hot hatches beware.

How does it look?

This is a smart looking SUV with a high riding position, stylish design, and alloy wheels. It has a luxurious interior with leather, aluminium finish, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials.

Central is a  14.5-inch HD infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and notable technology includes AI, autonomous driving, and calendar synchronisation.

It is packed with standard equipment including neat touches like the two main binnacle dials turning into cameras to show the road when the indicator is activated or the winged-style logo fading from view when the ignition is switched off.

Performance:

The turbocharged petrol engine provides rapid performance and acceptable economy hovering around 30mpg. It has three drive modes, eco, comfort and sport and effortlessly races to 60mph in 6.1 seconds in the latter mode.

In addition, the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system has three terrain modes to provide maximum stability and  variable power distribution for different driving conditions.

Ride and Handling:

It also offers excellent ride and handling characteristics, with ride preview technology and electronically controlled suspension, making it comfortable, but still agile, even on rough roads.

What about safety?

Safety kit is impressive with blind spot monitoring, evasive steering assist, smart cruise control, lane following assist, driver attention warning, forward collision alert with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus advanced airbag technology.

 There are 10 airbags with front centre airbags that are deployed if there is a side impact and these prevent the front occupants colliding with each other.

Cargo Space:

The powered boot lid opens to provide 542 litres of space, expandable to 1,675 litres , just in case you need to carry the kitchen sink, with the seats folded while the usual array of cubby holes, bins and holders are arranged throughout the cabin.

Extras:

 Various packages and options available to customise the vehicle, potentially increasing the price and can include advanced safety features, Nappa leather seats, and more.

The GV70 is a well-equipped, stylish, and performance-oriented SUV with a focus on luxury and advanced technology. It offers a real alternative to German dominance for those seeking a premium vehicle in this segment.

Factfile

GENESIS GV70 2.5T Luxury 8AT AWD

Price: £46,470

Mechanical: 299BHP, 2497cc, four-cylinder, turbo petrol engine driving all four wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 145mph

0-62mph: 6.1 seconds

Combined MPG: 27.9-29.7

Insurance Group: 48

C02 emissions: 218g/km

Warranty: 5yrs/62,000 miles

Motoring

Mazda2

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Stylish Mazda a compelling choice

By Bill McCarthy

I have said this before when writing about the Mazda2, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat it. I have had a soft spot for the little car since the launch of an earlier model way back in the early noughties in Spain.  Myself and another journalist managed to get lost in the mountain near Barcelona when we ended up on a dirt track.

The locals repairing the road, leaning on their shovels, seemed amused, but we finally got back on track and it performed like an off-roader on some rough mountain tracks. It was, and still is, is a good-looking, well-built, small car with tax efficient engines. The latest model features changes to  grille and bumper, plus revised front light clusters. Not necessarily the cheapest, but comes with an impressive array of standard equipment and Mazda’s rock-solid reputation for reliability.

  • Design: The Mazda2 Homura Aka indeed appears to be a stylish and well-designed supermini. Its resemblance to the Mazda3 in terms of curvaceous and sculpted styling is a testament to Mazda’s commitment to design consistency across its lineup.
  • Trim Grades: All are well equipped and trim grades are Centre-Line, Homura, Exclusive-Line and the range-topping Homura Aka driven, with prices starting at £17,750. They also feature the latest Skyactiv-Technologies and safety features
  • Interior: The attention to detail in the interior design, with black cloth seats, contrasting red accents, and a soft-touch dash panel with red stitching, contributes to a more premium feel for the car. The Mazda Connect system and smartphone connectivity enhance the overall user experience.
  • Performance: The 115PS petrol engine’s performance seems quite impressive for a supermini, with a good balance between power and economy. It accelerates to 60mph in just under 10 seconds, plenty for most circumstances. The addition of a mild-hybrid system is a smart move to improve fuel efficiency.
  • Handling: Decent handling and responsive steering are crucial for a fun driving experience, and the Mazda2 provides this. However, the car can feel unsettled on lesser roads, so there is room for improvement in ride comfort.
  • Practicality: The Mazda2 offers practicality with its five-door configuration and decent if not class-leading boot space of 255 litres with the rear seats in place. Fold them flat and the space opens up to 950 litres, ample for ferrying those larger loads around.
  • Economy and Running Costs: The Mazda2 offers a claimed 48mpg and low CO2 emissions which help to keep running costs in check as well as a low insurance premium.
  • Value for Money: Overall, the Mazda2 offers a lot of value for money. Its combination of style, performance, practicality, and features makes it an attractive choice in the supermini segment.

The Mazda2 is an impressive supermini with a powerful yet fuel-efficient petrol engine. It provides decent handling and responsive steering, although ride comfort could be improved. The car offers practicality with its five-door configuration and ample boot space. With its claimed 48mpg and low running costs, it is considered a good value for money option in the supermini segment.

It is a well-rounded car in many aspects, making it a compelling option for those in the market for a supermini.

Factfile

Mazda2 Homura Aka 1.5 115PS

Price: £22,720

Mechanical: 115PS, 1,496cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving all front wheels via 5-speed gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-62mph: 9.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 47.8

Insurance group: 16E

CO2 emissions: 105g/km

Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles