Genesis G70 Shooting Brake

By Bill McCarthy

---

The Genesis models are coming thick and fast and one of the most stylish must surely be this estate. The designers have cleverly targeted their audience with trim and and styles with more appeal to younger buyers and the Shooting Brake, is a prime example.

Like many estate type cars or tourers, style and practicality have been married to deliver coupe-like styling, with little compromise on interior space.

The term “shooting brake” supposedly from turn-of-the last century England, where it referred to a car used to transport a hunting party and its gear. “Brake” referred to a chassis that was used to break in horses.

It eventually just came to refer to early wagons in general. 
The term was later applied to custom-built wagons by high-end coachbuilders and subsequently became synonymous with station wagon or nowadays estate.

Both Mercedes and Jaguar have produced shooting brake models and this newcomer sits easily with that company.

With a choice of Premium Line, Luxury Line and Sport Line trim levels, it certainly is a premium, stylish vehicle with its sleek, coupe-like profile and featuring the signature crest grille quad lamps and not forgetting the Bentley lookalike winged bonnet badge.

The Sportline model adds dark-chrome finish for the window surrounds and front grille, which also gets a dark tinted chrome mesh insert. It also features 19-inch alloys with red Brembo brake calipers.

To the rear of the vehicle, where a single-piece glass hatch accommodates part of the light cluster and a “floating type” integral spoiler.

Rear wheel drive, it features a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine mated to an eight-speed auto box that offers reasonable economy while delivering decent pace.
Packed with high end goodies, it is spacious with a premium interior.

It also features artificial intelligence that learns about the driver and builds on existing state-of-the-art advanced autonomous driver assistance.

One of the star attractions are the two main binnacle dials which turn into cameras to show the road it is turning into when the indicator is activated.

A real safety feature that helps keep cyclists and pedestrians safe.
This is a proper premium motor with state-of-the-art technologies, quality materials, and a finish to create  what the GENESIS describe as ‘a fighter jet cockpit appearance.’

Central is the 10.5-inch HD infotainment screen and 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster controlling connectivity and navigation functions.

It operates the impressive sound system, while the Genesis Connect system offers voice recognition and live updates and smartphone integration.

Boot spaces on these type of estates or tourers are not as capacious as some of the older styles, but with 465 litres available, expanding to 1,535-litre load area with 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats, it offers plenty of stowage space.

On the road, the refined 200PS diesel delivers smooth acceleration. It powers to 60mph in around 7.5 seconds, with little diesel noise. Plenty of punch but delivering real world economy of around 40mpg.
Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, selections allow the driver to go from fuel economy right through to a more sporty drive, by tweaking steering, suspension, throttle and transmission response.

The ride and handling are excellent, with tuned suspension and electronically controlled adaptive dampers soaking up the worst of the potholes, while delivering agile handling for such a big car.

A mechanical limited slip differential also improves handling and traction on twisting roads.

Factfile

Genesis G70 Shooting Brake 2.2D Sport Line

Price: £41,430

Mechanical: 200PS, 2,199cc, four-cylinder diesel engine driving rear wheels via eight-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 140mph

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Combined MPG: 40.7-41.8

C02 emissions: 177-182g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: Five years/unlimited miles

Skoda Karoq

By Bill McCarthy

---

It only seems five minutes ago since the stylish Karoq was launched in 2017. But now it has had an upgrade, looking even more aerodynamically stylish, with an upgraded interior, sustainable materials, more state-of-the-art assistance and safety systems and, to judge by the public reaction, attractive colours.

Together with bigger sibling the Kodiaq and small family member the Kamiq, it makes for an impressive SUV range. Very impressive in fact, offering style, practicality comfort, value for money and, on this model, excellent performance.

Upgrades include new body-coloured sporty bumper sitting below the wider, restyled hexagonal grille, smart roofbars, slimmer lights to front and rear, privacy glass and panoramic roof, and Karoq lettering is featured on the doors sills and 19-inch alloy wheels.

The new shape improves aerodynamics by nine per cent, which delivers lower emissions and better economy.

Latest upgrades include a new 10.25-inch virtual cockpit digital display and the centrepiece on this version is a 9.2 inch touchscreen, controlling functions like navigation, infotainment and smartphone connectivity. Bluetooth and DAB radio is available as is a permanent internet connection for Skoda services.

There are three trim grades, SE Drive, SE L and SportLine and three petrol and two diesel engines. All are well equipped,with this model offering all the bells and whistles you could wish for.

‘It’s a whole lot of car for the money’

The microsuede heated and powered seats are comfortable and supportive with good head and legroom available. it also features brushed metal dashboard inserts, soft touch finish and smart multi-function two-spoke steering wheel and aluminium pedals while the SportLline logo is prominent throughout.

In practical terms, the split rear seats offer a number of combinations for maximum stowage, while the large, almost cavernous boot space has hooks and netting to keep cargo secure. It also features the virtual pedal, which allows you to simulate a pedal under the boot for it to open electronically.

On the road, the two litre190 PS petrol engine delivers plenty of grunt. Mated with a seven-speed auto gearbox, it hits 60mph in just seven seconds – an impressive turn for speed for the type of vehicle. It is particularly impressive on the motorway, cruising effortlessly with plenty in reserve for rapid overtaking.

It is a smooth and refined engine while the gear changes via the DSG box are seamless. It’s a sporty engine and a sporty suspension set up allows the car to handle well, while at the same time smoothing out the worst of our roads, while the car always feels stable and composed, particular on twisting country lanes. When conditions require, Skoda’s tested all-wheel drive capability gives extra traction and has proven over the years to be a more than capable off-road performer.

Considering the performance available, it is still pretty frugal with nearly 40mpg claimed. Not bad for a car with 4×4 capability.

Skoda’s Simply Clever gizmos have been around for a while now and originally thought of as gimmicks, they are all in fact practical touches and include door pockets to hold water bottles, umbrella under the passenger seat, a mini waste-bin, which really isn ’t that practical and the always useful ice scraper inside the filler cap.

It is packed with safety kit with a full range of airbags, and active and passive features which include stability control, driver drowsiness alerts, cross traffic warning, front race with automatic braking and a host of other features.

Prices for the new Karoq range from £26,255. It’s a whole lot of car for the money.

Factfile

Skoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TSI 190PS DSG 4×4

Price: £37,295

Mechanical: 190PS, 1,998hp petrol engine driving all wheels via wheels via 7-speed,auto gearbox

Max speed: 137mph

0-60mph: 7 seconds

Combine mpg: 38mpg

Insurance group: 21

CO2 emissions: 174g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles