Category Archives: AWD

AWD, Electric/hybrid, Motor reviews, SUV/4X4, Vehicle type

Subaru Boxer clever

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The XV is a capable ‘soft roader’

Subaru XV e-Boxer

By Bill McCarthy

The XV compact crossover was already a very capable, left field alternative to mainstream brands with its excellent Boxer engine and all wheel drive capability.

The latest self-charging hybrid version is built on Subaru’s Global Platform and has hi-tech additions including EyeSight driver assist technology and rear vehicle detection as standard and much improved economy and reduced emissions.

It will appeal to those who covet that off road capability, but with a saving in the running costs. And it is in places like fields,  where with its higher ground clearance, it is likely to score for those inclined to pull trailers or horse boxes, but don’t want a full-fat mud plugger.  

The two litre horizontally-opposed petrol engine has been mated with an electric motor and powerful lithium-ion battery which is mounted within the boot floor and allows for pure-electric driving at speeds of up to 25mph. The power plants are mated with the familiar Lineartronic transmission.

 The interior is smart, with Subarus being more upmarket these days

The savings in fuel are not huge however and the electric only running only really kicks in in slow moving traffic. Economy is better but not stunningly so as the extra weight of the 4×4 technology and power of the engine brings the official figure to around 35mpg. I reckon I did a little better than that with careful driving and was nearer the 40mpg mark.

It looks the part with its mixture of curves and angles. It sports an hexagonal front grille, sloping profile with integrated roof bars, with new fog lamp bezel which surrounds the LED fog lights. The rear spoiler end plate is finished in gloss black and an e-Boxer badge has been added to the wings and tailgate. It sits on smart 18-inch alloys, standard across the range.

 The interior is smart, with Subarus being a bit more upmarket these days. Not luxurious, but still fairly lavishly equipped with sporty styling, comfortable leather, powered, seats on this model, commanding driving position and good all round vision.

Centrally placed is an eight-inch multifunction colour touchscreen controlling major functions like infotainment, connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio and Bluetooth. Above this sits a screen displaying information on economy and driving data. A TFT information screen sits behind the steering wheel.

The SE is pretty well packed with standard kit, but this model includes dual zone air-conditioning, reversing camera and heated seats are also standard on this model as are eight-way power adjustable driver seat, satellite navigation and sunroof.

Performance is quite lively if you floor the accelerator, but the transmission becomes raucous under heavy acceleration. The vehicle can hit 60mph in around 10.7 seconds, with economy of around 35mpg.

 This is because it is a heavy vehicle, with it its all-wheel drive, motor is placed near the vehicle’s centre of gravity and the battery is positioned above the rear axle. This improves handling but affects economy. 

It handles pretty well despite its high ground clearance and is a comfortable motorway cruiser. The proven all wheel drive capability will not let you down in inclement weather conditions either.

In practical terms, it offers ample storage capacity and a towing capacity of 1,270kg, so you can pack it to the rafters for those offroad events that require trekking over muddy fields or rutted tracks. Boot space of  385 litres expands to 1,290 with the rear split seats folded.

Not the cheapest, starting at just under £31k, but it is packed with equipment and includes neat touches like the reversing camera displays a live colour image and head-up display for added safety. There’s also the five year, 100k miles warranty for peace of mind.

Its certainly worth expanding on the ample safety and driver assistance features which are standard. These include EyeSight driver assist technology functions optically using two stereo cameras which are mounted either side of the rear-view mirror. It monitors for hazards up to 110 metres ahead and includes: adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist. Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection identifies vehicles approaching from the rear.

 As well as the usual goodies you would expect on a vehicle of the price, standard kit includes LED lights, keyless entry and privacy glass on the rear windows and 18-inch alloy wheels standard across the range.

There are two trim levels, SE and this SE Premium model priced from £30,995 OTR.

Factfile

Subaru XV 2.0 SE Premium e-Boxer Lineartronic

Price: £32,140

Mechanical: 150PS, 1,995cc, four cylinder petrol engine driving and electric motor, driving four wheels via automatic gearbox

Max speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined mpg: 37.9

Insurance group: 16E

CO2 emissions: 149g/km

BiK rating: 34%

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles

Audi, AWD, Executive, Manufacturer, SUV, Vehicle type

Head of the Q for performance

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Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro S line

By Bill McCarthy

THERE’S a saying that all good things come in small packages. In Audi’s case that is partially true. The German car maker produces fine smaller cars, but the same is true of its bigger models, including the flagship Q8.

It’s a huge SUV that proves good things also come in larger packages. It features a mini-hybrid, 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine combined with a lithium battery set up, eye-catching styling and a raft of high-end hi-tech equipment.

Usual Audi size grading by letter has been partially ignored here as the Q8 is around the same size as the Q7. It is actually shorter, although wider and is available only as five seater.

The interior is the usual Audi class act, with plush leather seats and virtual cockpit

The Q8 is still very large, with styling cues from the original Audi quattro. ThisS line includes high definiition LED lights, 21-inch alloy wheels and adaptive air suspension as standard, not to mention the allwheel drive and eight-speed tiptronic gearbox.

Despite its near three-metre wheelbase it looks pretty sleek, almost coupe like, with a swooping profile and raked rear end. It has a large grille with the signature four rings sitting on six vertical fins, giving it a slightly aggressive look.

The interior is the usual Audi class act, with plush leather seats, the now familiar virtual cockpit over two screens, in a pleasing piano black finish.

The upper display controls infotainment and the navigation system, sat nav, Apple and Android connectivity and the superb Bang and Olufsen sound system. The lower 8.6-inch display manages the heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as comfort functions.

The top screen and TFT display can also be configured in various way to whatever is the driver’s preference.

The trim and finish is first class, with electrically operated leather seats, soft touch finish to dash and doors, with aluminium flashes throughout.

It is packed with equipment, including goodies like the 360 degree camera for parking, collisions and lane departure warning, head up display, ambient lighting , full climate control and parking aids plus a full range of safety kit.

In typical executive German style, optional extras can add thousands to an already eye watering price.

On the road, the six-cylinder 50 TDI with 286ps, hits 62mph in 6.3 seconds and a 144mph top speed. Lightning quick for such a big car.

The power plant integrates a lithium-ion rechargeable battery located underneath the luggage compartment floor and stores 10Ah of electrical capacity. This allows the SUV to coast between 34 and 99mph with the engine switched off.

Duringdeceleration the system can recover up to 12 kW of energy. This delivers an impressive, claimed economy of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 178g/km.

For a sportier drive, switch to the steering wheel mounted paddles and choose dynamic driving mode from the five available to sharped up throttle, gearing and suspension and you get a surprisingly engaging drive.

The four wheel drive with the optional all wheel steering means the car is both agile, with sharp, precise steering and provides plenty of grip, especially in inclement conditions.

The quattro system provides power to the front axle and rear axle at a ratio of 40:60 as standard. When required, it transfers the majority to the axle with the better traction.

The clever sound insulation and the sophisticated aerodynamics, with double-layer windscreen means occupants are well insulated from road and wind noise.

In practical terms there is a host of storage compartments and tray areas, while the boot area offers 605 litres as a standard, which increases to 1,755 litres with the rear backrests folded down. Two golf bags can easily fit in diagonally. The tailgate can be opened and closed electrically as standard.

Factfile

Price: £64,115

Mechanical: 286ps, 2,967cc,6cyl diesel engine driving foiur wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Max Speed: 152mph

0-62mph: 6.3 seconds

Combined MPG: 41.5

Insurance Group: 45

C02 emissions:178g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles