Category Archives: Vehicle type

Family hatchback, Motoring, Peugeot, Saloon

Peugeot 408

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The striking profile of the Peugeot 408 attracted plenty of attention

Striking looks and road presence

By Bill McCarthy

Finding a stylish and technologically advanced car that turns heads is a challenge. Many cars lack the features and designs that make a true statement on the road. 

Peugeot’s dramatically styled 408 had the very unusual event of someone following me into a car park after seeing it drive past.

Convinced by the dark livery and fusion of SUV and fastback that it was the Lamborghini Urus.

You could see his point . . . to a point!

It is a dramatic makeover, sleeker and more aerodynamic.

Plus, the longer and lower dimensions of the car give it a dynamic and aerodynamic shape that exudes confidence on the road. 

Its blend of SUV and fastback elements, combined with its sleek and aerodynamic makeover, certainly contribute to its eye-catching presence on the road.

It offers a balance of stylish design, advanced technology, and decent performance. Its combination of SUV and fastback elements, along with the upgraded interior and safety features, definitely turns heads and makes a statement on the road.

Exterior

  • Dramatic and aerodynamic design with a fusion of SUV and fastback styling.
  • Long and low dimensions for a dynamic appearance.
  • Deep front grille and daytime running lights integrated into the front light clusters.
  • Impressive rear design with cat’s claw style LED rear lamps.
  • Lower bumper gloss black trim and twin chrome exhaust surrounds.
  • Tinted rear glass and smart new alloys enhancing its appearance.

Interior

  • Next-generation i-Cockpit interior with a compact multi-function steering wheel.
  • High-quality fixtures and fittings with logically placed controls and switchgear.
  • Standard features like a 180-degree Colour Reversing Camera, rear parking sensors, Advanced Emergency Braking, and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition.
  • Latest 10-inch touchscreen with the i-Connect infotainment system, activated by voice commands.
  • Navigation with TomTom Live updates, speed camera alerts, and i-Toggle feature for personalized shortcuts.

Performance and Handling:

  • 130bhp three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
  • 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, max speed of 130mph.
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission with seamless shifts.
  • Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes for different driving preferences.
  • Good handling and comfortable ride with effective suspension.

Practicality:

  • Competitive boot space of 536 litres, expanding to 1,611 litres with rear seats folded.
  • Safety features include stability control, airbags, active safety brake with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, programmable cruise control, and driver attention alert.

Factfile

  • Peugeot 408 Allure Premium 1.2L PureTechPrice: £32,200
  • Engine: 130PS, 1199cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
  • Max Speed: 130mph
  • 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 41-48
  • Insurance Group: 19E
  • CO2 emissions: 129g/km
  • BIK rating: 30%
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

electric, Manufacturer, Motoring, Toyota

One step beyond for electric Toyota

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Toyota bZ4X

Review by Bill McCarthy

Toyota has been something of a pioneer in the search for the eventual replacement of the internal combustion engine.

It produced the first hybrid with the multi-million-selling Prius and has developed hydrogen powered vehicles, but oddly, this vehicle is the first dip into the all-electric vehicle pool.

The curiously-named  bZ4X, is a  new mid-sized crossover that has come about as part of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru, bZ meaning beyond zero, while the 4 is the model spec and the X is for crossover.

It comes in three grades, Pure, Motion and Vision and is the first model to feature Toyota’s eTNGA, a modular architecture that can be adapted for different vehicle sizes.

You might think its late entry to the EV market could be a drawback, but Toyota has plenty of experience with battery and motor combos and for those still with range anxiety, a very long drive returned close to 290 miles, against a claimed figure of 317.

Even better, a fast charging facility allows up to 80 per cent charge in just 30 minutes, providing our course you can find one that’s working on our motorway services.

That was for the tested front-wheel drive model, with the all-wheel drive version seeing its range drop substantially.

This model featured a 150kW front-mounted eAxle that produces 201bhp, while the four-wheel drive model has what Toyota calls front and rear 80kW eAxles with a combined output of up to 215bhp.

It has a slippery aerodynamic profile, all creases and angles and smart headlight arrays, a rear spoiler and privacy glass and a full-wide list bar across the rear.

The interior is also impressive and generously kitted out as you would expect from a car with a starting price tag approaching £48k.

The Pure grade features include 18-inch alloy wheels, smart entry and start and a climate control system with remote operation. This model adds various comforts, like heated synthetic leather seats which have power lumbar adjustment

The trick with electric cars these days it to make them look more mainstream, not look like something out of Blade Runner, which used to be the case.

Lt has a fairly minimalist set-up featuring a 12.3-inch multimedia display that controls functions like navigation, infotainment, via a six-speaker audio system and connectivity for smartphone users.

There is a wireless charging facility and it is supplemented by a  seven-inch TFT instrument and information display delivering real-time information to the driver.

On the road, The150 kW electric motor produces 201bhp, enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 100mph. Rapid performance and the handling is not bad either, with the low centre f gravity battery adding stability.

One thing I was not keen on was the relatively poor steering lock, making it difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

As a family crossover it is designed for comfort with softish suspension and practicality is a must on this type of vehicle.

The cabin is light and airy and stowage space is good, with boot space of 465 litres available which opens up substantially with the rear seats folded.

Safety equipment is comprehensive and as well as the usual traction, stability and braking assistance, it also features parking assistance, hill-start and downhill assistance and blind spot and driver monitor. 

FAST FACTS

Toyota zB4X Motion 150kW

Price: £49,510

Mechanical: 201ps, 150kW motor driving front wheels via single speed transmission

Max speed: 100mph

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds

Range: 312 miles

Insurance group: 36

CO2 emissions: 0g/km

BiK rating: 2%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles