AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Jaguar XE gets all-wheel drive for 2016

Jaguar's MY2016 XE gets a host of technology upgrades, including a more advanced infotainment system and all-wheel drive for the first time

The Jaguar XE has been updated for the 2016 model year and will now be offered with the option of all-wheel drive as well as Jaguar's advanced InControl Touch Pro infotainment system.

The all-wheel drive system, which will be available initially with the 178bhp 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel and 335bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines, is capable of sending torque to the front wheels on demand, making the XE "a true all-weather sports saloon,” according to Jaguar.

The same system - which uses a transfer case with a multi-plate wet clutch and a chain drive to the front propshaft - is already in use on the XF and will also feature on the upcoming F-Pace SUV. The system is only available on XEs equipped with Jaguar's eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new AWD system works with Jaguar's Intelligent Driving Dynamics software. First seen on the F-Type AWD last year, the system can use data from the XE's sensors to continuously adjust to which axle torque is sent.

All-wheel-drive versions of the XE also get the option of Adaptive Surface Response (AdSR), which replaces the current Rain, Ice and Snow driving mode. The AdSR system works at any speed, automatically adjusting the throttle, transmission and stability control systems according to the type of surface. Drivers can also tailor the car's throttle response, transmission and adaptive dynamics systems with Jaguar's Configurable Dynamics.

Inside, drivers get the option of a new, larger infotainment system, dubbed InControl Touch Pro. The system, which replaces the standard 8.0in touchscreen interface with a larger 10.2in display, is already available on the larger XF. It features sharper graphics and more functionality than the standard InControl system.

The InControl Touch Pro system uses a 60gb solid state drive for storage and features a customisable home screen, multi-windowed display modes and a dead-reckoning system, which uses the car's location and heading to determine navigation data even if the GPS signal is lost. The system also functions as a wi-fi hotspot, allowing up to eight devices to be connected at any time.

Other new features include an adaptive speed limiter, which can increase or decrease the speed of the car automatically depending on the speed limit, while a new Lane Keeping Assist feature provides minor adjustments to the car's steering to keep it in lane. A driver monitoring function is also new.

Jaguar has also revealed an app for the Apple Watch, allowing owners to check on their car's fuel level, location and climate control settings remotely, as well as remote starting the engine.

The MY2017 Jaguar XE is available to order now, with first deliveries planned for early next year. Prices start at £26,990.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Performance Car Show to name fans' favourite hot hatch

The Performance Car Show, presented by Landsail Tyres in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com, will name the top 10 hot hatches of all time, voted for by fans

The Performance Car Show, presented by Landsail Tyres in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com, is set to name the world’s best hot hatch.

The show, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham in January, will have a centrepiece called Hot Hatch Nirvana, which will feature cars voted for by fans. A poll has been launched today to decide which 10 hot hatches will form the basis of the display.

Fans will be able to vote for their favourite by choosing from a long list that has been curated by a panel of experts that includes Autocar’s editor-in-chief, Steve Cropley and head of features, Matt Prior.

The long list contains a mixture of contemporary and classic models, such as the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Renault 5 Turbo, Peugeot 205 GTi, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Lancia Delta HF Integrale, Honda Civic Type R, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and Audi RS3.

The show will also be playing host to a selection of the world’s rarest and most desirable hypercars and supercars currently on sale.

The full list can be seen at http://ift.tt/1Na3Cux, and the top 10 and the overall winner will be announced at the show on January 14-17. 

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Dodge Dart

The new Dodge Dart delivers some pleasant surprises: it’s handsome, well equipped and a lot more fun to drive than most models in its segment Nearly bankrupt just three short years ago, Chrysler has staged an unexpectedly strong resurgence, outpacing the overall US market’s turnaround month after month.But there’s a big gap it needs to fill if it hopes to keep that momentum going, and the much-needed entry arrives in US dealer showrooms this month.The reborn Dodge Dart saloon brings back to life a once-popular brand name, but the new offering is anything but retro.It is, in fact, the first Chrysler product to share its foundation with the American firm's Italian partner, Fiat – the Dart using a modified version of the Alfa Giulietta platform, here widened by two inches to make room for corn-fed American posteriors.Compared with the model it replaces, the new saloon’s handsome exterior styling is much more in tune with the market, with Dodge’s newly updated double-crosshair grille, a curvaceous, almost coupé-like roofline and the sort of broad hips and high rear shoulders that fit the muscular image the brand likes to portray.The sumptuous interior – at least for its segment – is light years beyond the tacky, hard plastic cabins for which Chrysler has long been known and roundly criticised. If there’s a downside, it’s that the rear seats are a little too compact to accommodate three adults in comfort.Unlike key competitors who generally offer a minimal mix of options, the Dodge features an extensive list including three different engines: a base 2.0-litre making 160bhp and 148lb ft, a turbocharged 1.4-litre 'Tigershark' using Fiat’s MultiAir technology to produce 160bhp and 184lb ft, and a 2.4-litre version of the Tigershark – coming later in the year – making 184bhp and 171lb ft. The 1.4-litre package is peppy, although you need to work the optional dual-clutch gearbox aggressively to keep it in its torque band.
A real surprise-and-delight feature is the electric power steering system, one of the few to actually feel like a well-tuned hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering box. It encourages aggressive driving through the corners, a feeling underscored by the Dart’s MacPherson strut-style front suspension and trailing-arm independent rear axle.It's a moot point if you live in the UK; the Dart won't be sold here. But as far as the US is concerned, while the new Dodge won’t send the Japanese packing, it serves notice that Chrysler is no longer intent on sitting at the back of the compact pack.
Paul EisensteinDodge Dart LimitedPrice $19,995 (£12,945); Engine 4cyls in-line, 1368cc, turbo, petrol; Power 160bhp at 5500rpm; Torque 184lb ft at 2500-4000rpm; 0-62mph 7.8sec (est); Top speed 130mph; Gearbox 6-spd automatic or 6-spd dual-clutch automatic; Kerb weight 1447kg; Economy 38.9mpg (est); CO2 NA

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Fiat 124 Spider - first picture leaked ahead of LA debut

The first image of Fiat's Mazda MX-5 rival leaks out ahead of the model's debut at the LA motor show

The first image of Fiat's 124 Spider has been leaked ahead of the car's official debut at the LA motor show. This image, which shows the rear of the car, was first published on an American website, and has since been circulated online. 

Based on the Mazda MX-5 and set to become a rival for that car, the 124 Spider will be produced with both Fiat and Abarth badges. The new sports cars are both due in 2016.

While it was initially thought that the Fiat and Abarth versions of the 124 would be similar in terms of styling and power output, it is now known that the two will be substantially different. Rather than the Abarth getting the usual performance makeover of more aggressive front and rear ends, the sports car will actually get different sheet metal to the donor car for a completely different look.

Previous artist’s impressions of the 124 Spider are also understood to have been very wide of the mark. There will be no 500 references in the 124 Spider; instead it will be unashamedly a modern version of the 124 Spider with associated styling cues, in the same way the new 500 is a modern version of the original. This first image certainly supports that theory.

Sources have also shed light on the engines the pair will use. Mazda engines will not feature in the car, meaning the 1.4-litre Multiair turbo from the Fiat range will be adapted for a longitudinal, rear-wheel drive application.

That engine is capable of achieving power outputs of between 118bhp-187bhp, meaning there's enough scope to make the Abarth version more powerful than the standard car without changing its engine. The standard Fiat 124 Spider is expected to come with around 138bhp.

The original 124 Spider - what Fiat's new roadster must live up to 

The original Fiat 124 Sport Spider remained in production for a remarkable 19 years.

Designed by Pininfarina and related to the rear-wheel-drive Fiat 124 family, it was launched in 1966, survived the introduction of new emissions and safety regulations in 1974 and was sold as a Fiat until 1982, when the brand pulled out of the United States. 

Between 1983 and 1985, it was sold as a Pininfarina, which was a fair reflection of the fact that the Italian design house founded by Sergio Pininfarina had built the car since its launch. Production ended in 1985 after an estimated 200,000 had been built. About three-quarters of them were sold in  the US.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Cadillac XTS

Like the smaller CTS, the new Cadillac XTS is a visual standpoint and offers plenty of comfort and reasonable performance Long gone are the days when Detroit dominated the huge American luxury car market. In fact, Cadillac and rival Lincoln are barely also-rans these days.But Cadillac is intent on regaining its once-lofty position and the new XTS is aimed at some serious competitors, notably including the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. The General Motors division is calling the XTS its new ‘flagship’, and it will be for a while, though an even more upmarket entry is in the works. For now, the new XTS does a credible job of pointing the brand in the right direction. The new saloon features a more refined and elegant take on the so-called Art and Science design theme popularised by the Cadillac CTS, here a bit less edgy, introducing a slight coupé-like curve to the roof that flows into vestigial fins reminiscent of Cadillac’s golden days.The XTS cabin is handsome and comfortable and here Cadillac gives Audi, the generally perceived interior benchmark, a run for its money. The reconfigurable, all-glass gauge cluster is especially appealing. And then there’s Cue, Cadillac’s new infotainment system. Think of it as an iPhone on wheels, complete with a Siri-like voice-control system that recognises conventional language rather than requiring a motorist to learn rigid commands. The downside is that on rough roads the iPhone-style touch controls can be a bit difficult to operate.Some purists will gripe that the XTS is the only front-drive model in the Cadillac saloon spectrum. Perhaps, but that hasn’t stopped Audi, and the big saloon proved reasonably nimble manoeuvring through the narrow, winding canyons outside Los Angeles. The all-wheel-drive configuration offered a bit more sure-footedness. But this is not a true BMW fighter if you’re measuring success by g-force and 0-60mph times. Our biggest complaint centres around the six-speed automatic which, even in sport mode, is slow to respond when the driver’s foot calls for a rapid double downshift.The XTS might best be thought of as the redefinition of the classic American luxury car. That’s not meant as faint praise; the saloon is solid, well equipped and more than pleasant to drive. It may not be the standard of the world but it is a credible offering for a brand that has long lacked credibility.Paul A EisensteinCadillac XTS Platinum Price $44,995 (£29,012); Engine 3.6-litre V6; Power 300bhp; Torque 264lb ft; 0-62mph 6.7sec (est); Top speed 130mph; Gearbox 6-spd automatic; Kerb weight 1950kg; Economy NA; CO2 NA

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Bugatti Veyron Vitesse

The world’s most expensive, fastest, open-topped car – the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is the world’s fastest – and most expensive – open-topped car.At the heart of this machine, which is priced from a cool £1.4m plus taxes, lies the same 8.0-litre W16 engine, complete with four turbochargers, that can be found in the closed-top Super Sport version of the Veyron. Maximum power of 1183bhp is developed at 6400rpm and torque hits an astonishing 1106lb ft. Mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox, drive is delivered to all four wheels by a Haldex system.At peak acceleration that means it’ll hit 1.4g, about the same force you feel when you slam on the brakes in an everyday car, and 62mph will appear in 2.6sec, 124mph in 7.4sec and 186mph in 16.0sec. It’s worth noting, though, that the 0-62mph time is slower than the standard car’s, as the larger turbos take time to wind up and deliver the extra power and torque. Get them in full swing and, with the space and right road or track you’ll cover a quarter of a mile in 10.0sec and a full mile in 25sec.Should you need to stop in a hurry the ceramic brakes (400mm front, 380mm back) won’t disappoint: they’ll pull 2.0g, hauling you from 62mph to a halt in 31.4m. Or to put it another way, if you can find somewhere suitable to try it, you can go from a standstill to 62mph to a standstill again in just 5.9sec (or from 0-200-0mph in 27.1sec).However, lest you be lulled into thinking this car is no more than an engineering statisticians dream, let’s leave the numbers there.Climb aboard and the first thing you notice is that the bucket seats are set reassuringly low and are brilliantly supportive. Look ahead, and your eye is drawn to the exquisite controls and instruments, and especially the centre console, which is made from carbonfibre and titanium.The engine roars in to life with a pleasant, engaging tone, although it is nowhere near as raw as the numbers may suggest. Roof off, spoiler up, it delivers a note you can always enjoy without it ever feeling like it is intruding. The turbos whoop and woosh rather like you’d imagine an angry dragon too, but never with anything approaching ferocity. Even so, there’s no question it can set the hairs on your neck upwards is you feel inclined to drop a gear or two and go.That’s a theme that rings true for pretty much the whole experience of driving a Veyron – it is thrilling, but not daunting, encouraging, not overwhelming. Sure, even in ‘normal’ mode (their name for it, not ours – very few people would describe anything about this car as normal) it accelerates on and on if you ask it to (all the too around 235mph before the torque delivery levels out), but although it is undoubtedly very fast, the power and torque are delivered in a largely undramatic way.  Pedal feel under braking, too, is exquisite.Likewise, the Vitesse never feels like a large car. While its dimensions suggest otherwise, the supremely accurate steering gives you the confidence to thread it down twisty roads just as you would any other car, while the refinement, even roof down but with the front and rear deflectors in place, cossets you from everything but tyre roar on bad road surfaces, which not even the VW Group’s finest engineers have managed to fully tame.If chopping the roof off has introduced any ride or handling compromises, they’re not evident. The Vitesse’s extra weight and removable roof over the Supersport mean that the spring, damper and anti-roll bar rates have all been altered, but it still rides with the firm precision of a mid-engined supercar, and remains supple even if you up the speed. No, we didn’t try it in full-blown track mode on anything other than a high-speed bowl, but we went as fast as most mortals would dare. The Vitesse has a natural tendency to understeer that can be neutered by trailing the throttle into bends, but if you go that route you need to do so with discipline.If you have the cash to spend and the merest hint of an inclination, then yes – but don’t dilly-dally too long as only 150 open-topped versions of the Veyron will be built, in either ‘standard’ Grand Sport spec or this Vitesse version, and the waiting list is currently over a year long.So far 69 have been sold, six of which are Vitesse models, and the demand is only likely to increase as the car garners rave reviews such as this and the mega-rich realise there’s an opportunity to push automotive boundaries further (and acquire bragging rights, no doubt).Just as people buy deep-sea watches that will never see the depths or employ architects to design houses that are more than mere dormitories, so the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse should be considered a masterpiece that, while not necessary nor even likely to be used to its full potential, is something we should all be grateful exists.Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport VitessePrice £1.4m plus taxes; Engine W16, 7993cc, quad-turbo, petrol; Power 1183bhp at 6400rpm; Torque 1106lb ft at 3000rpm; 0-62mph 2.6sec; Top speed 255mph; Gearbox 7-spd DSG; Kerb weight 1990kg; Economy 12.2mpg; CO2 539g/km

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Lamborghini Huracan gets new rear-wheel-drive model for 2016

Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 has been revealed ahead of the LA motor show; on sale early next year

This is the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2, a new rear-wheel-drive version of the Italian supercar that has been unveiled on the eve of the Los Angeles motor show.

The Huracan LP580-2 gets a slightly more modest version of the four-wheel-drive car’s 5.2-litre V10 engine, now producing 571bhp instead of 602bhp. However, the new model’s dry weight is just 1389kg, a 33kg saving over the LP 610-4, and it takes just 0.2sec longer to reach 62mph from rest, at 3.4sec. The top speed is 199mph.

There are visual differences between the LP580-2 and the LP610-4; the new car gets revised front and rear styling, with air intakes designed to increase downward pressure on the front axle, along with a fresh design of 19in and 20in ‘Kari’ wheels. Pirelli has developed bespoke P Zero tyres just for the rear-drive edition.

The V10 motor has a recalibrated ECU map to produce 384lb ft - again, a slight reduction from the four-wheel-drive car’s figure - but 75% of this torque is available at just 1000rpm.

The new car’s weight distribution is 40/60% front to rear, and Lamborghini says the selectable driving modes - Strada, Sport and Corsa - are “tuned to provide oversteering characteristics”, which could address widespread criticism of the four-wheel-drive car’s ultra-stable handling set-up.

Unlike the previous rear-drive Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2, which was offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, the LP580-2 will keep the Huracan's standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It will become the cleanest model in Lamborghini’s line-up, too, with claimed average fuel economy of 23.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 278g/km (down from 290g/km on the Huracan LP610-4).

Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann said: “The rear-wheel-drive model fits perfectly into our Huracan family. It’s the purest expression of a Lamborghini to date, and a serious car for serious drivers.”

No UK prices have been announced, but the quoted figure of €150,000 plus taxes means that the LP580-2 is likely to be slightly more affordable than the £180,000 LP610-4 - and that could make it up to £10,000 cheaper than a Ferrari 488 GTB.

An open-topped Spyder version is a near-certainty, too, although Lamborghini sources have given no indication of when it could appear.

Read more LA motor show news

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : 2016 Bentley Bentayga review

Bentley takes its first steps into the world of the sport utility vehicle An entirely new direction for Bentley - although this new SUV, the Bentayga, certainly still looks like a Bentley. Whether it feels like one or not we’ll come to in a moment, but for now, no question, aesthetically it has the cues. The strong rear haunch, the diamond grilling on the front. I am no arbiter of a car’s appearance (for which Bentley should probably be grateful), but if the task was to make it look instantly recognisable, the first job is done.The Bentayga is as an example of how gracefully Bentley’s model line-up has evolved since Volkswagen took ownership of the company in 1998. You can think of it as only the third ‘new’ model to have since arrived: if, like I do, you count the Mulsanne as a replacement for the Arnage, and thus the Flying Spur saloon and Continental coupé/convertible as the other two ‘new’ model lines. This is at least as significant as those two: the wider motor industry is overdue recognition of the fact that people who have an awful lot of money do not necessarily want to be constantly photographed driving a supercar or mistaken for an airport limousine driver. So they buy Range Rovers specified to the heavens - a fact Land Rover recently seems to have appreciated, too. I’ve often wondered how far up the food chain the limits of SUVs run, and have suspected it’s quite a lot further even than this £160,200 Bentayga. I suppose Rolls-Royce will find out soon enough.Meantime, though, the Bentley. Like the Flying Spur and Continental before it, it takes full advantage of the Volkswagen Group’s ownership of the British firm. Beneath it is, ostensibly, the new MLB-Evo architecture that also underpins Audi’s flagship SUV, the Q7 – a car whose price has dipped into six figures, if you remember. And it’s a car that is already pretty vast, so at 5.14m long the Bentayga isn’t that much bigger again. At nearly three metres, the wheelbase is within 2mm of that of the Q7 and the Bentley will later offer seven seats, although there are no more than five for now.Coming later, too, will be hybrid and diesel powerplants, but sensibly enough, from the start Bentley is only offering what’ll be the top-spec motor (until a Speed edition arrives): a new variant of the 6.0-litre W12 engine. Because, let’s face it, if you’ve a car with a 2420kg kerb weight and yet, because you’re Bentley, you want it to reach 60mph in 4.0sec and a top speed of 187mph, you’re going to need 12 cylinders and two turbochargers. If you that sounds thirsty, you're right, it is. There’s cylinder shutdown tech and this new unit is 30kg lighter than its predecessor, but still it only returns 21.6mpg on the combined cycle and emits 297g/km of CO2. During its day with us, although I’ll concede we drove it pretty hard, it returned little more than half of that combined figure.Those aren’t the kinds of numbers that Bentley would rather you focused on. Instead, try some of these: there are 17 standard and 90 extended paint colours (and any other on request), there are 15 standard leather hide colours to choose from and seven different species of veneer. Again, if you want more, just ask. Our test car rolled up with £48,000 worth of options, which would by no means be an unusual order.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe

Gearbox and infotainment upgrades add polish to the glorious Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, which is beginning to show its age in places This is the latest Series II version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe. Little has altered visually, but the substitution of its original six-speed transmission for an eight-speeder is the most significant mechanical change. With it comes much grafted-over software, say Rolls’ insiders, in the quest for smoothness and the sharp-shooting reactions that eight speeders sometimes struggle to deliver. The new ‘box also results in a curtailing of thirst, its combined consumption improving to 19.1mpg from 17.1mpg, and CO2 emissions reduced from 385g/km to 347g/km. Other mechanical changes are slight, but there have been some light restylings, the once faintly troubled face of the Phantom is less so since the redesign of its lights. The earlier model’s circular, low-mounted and slightly awkward lights have been banished, and its rectangular headlamps are now adaptive and LED illuminated. The grille surround is a tidier one-piece element, the Phantom Drophead’s (slightly) smaller temple-like frontage is less assertively thrusting than the four-door’s. But it’s equally easy to be distracted by the sight of one of these beasts passing you by, its length, height, extraordinary brushed aluminium bonnet and teak tonneau decking leaves you in no doubt its owner’s private bank account will be unencumbered by the need for an overdraft facility. More functional improvements include a much-needed upgrade of the BMW i-Drive infotainment system complete with larger screen, and a surround-view camera system. But the Phantom still doesn’t self-park, and it’s a surprise to discover that Munich’s excellent head-up display, blind-spot monitoring and crash-protection systems have yet to be plumbed in.Manoeuvring your way through the rear-hinged door into a substantial front seat is rather more difficult than it sounds, until you discover that reversing onto its sumptuous hides is the least inelegant way to effect an entrance. Apart from taking in lavish but sparely rendered details such as the trio of slender chrome spears in a flank of the footwell, or the multiple texturings of the steering wheel, it’s hard not to be struck by the simplicity of the instruments and the acreage of beautifully finished wood dominating the dashboard and doors. Lifting the quintuple-lined fabric roof on all this is achieved by fingering a hidden chrome tab. The process takes longer than the impatient might expect, but it’s not bad considering the volume of material being cantilevered, furled and folded. It’s a performance that gives your expectations altitude, as does an SUV-rivalling vantage point from which to survey other cars costing near-irrelevant fractions of the Drophead’s £332,400 price. There’s rarely much need to resort to the shiny ‘S’ button on the steering wheel boss that quickens the transmission’s shifts. The 447bhp V12 is harnessed effectively by the eight-speeder. If you do press the ‘S’ button, you can deploy 531lb ft of urge with authoritative thrust. The Phantom is less at comfortable direction changes unless you prepare pre-bend. Body-roll and sidewall-squashing understeer results until you discover the Phantom settles tidily if you’re neat with its wheel. A slow-in, surf-out technique means it can be persuaded through bends with rather satisfying pace. And then you can use almost all the power you desire. With 2.6 tonnes bearing down on its 21-inch wheels the Phantom is rarely knocked off line, but you will sense the shudder of those hefty alloys beneath you, especially through a steering rim that often quivers in sympathy. It’s a crudity that’s a little less acceptable in 2012, although it lends the Phantom a certain tactile character. And happily, it’s very rare that you’ll feel a shimmy from the body structure itself.A few more electronic driving-aid accoutrements, an expunging of that 21-inch wheel quiver and a little less of the feeling that you’re conducting a very large object would pitch the Phantom closer to motordom’s pinnacle. Despite which, it’s impossible not to be mightly impressed, entertained, pampered and seduced by this beautifully crafted creation.Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead CoupePrice £332,400; Engine V12, 6749cc, petrol; Power 453bhp at 5350rpm; Torque 531lb ft at 3500rpm; 0-62mph 5.6sec; Top speed 149mph; Gearbox 8-spd automatic; Kerb weight 2630kg; Economy 19.1mpg (combined); CO2 347g/km

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Toyota Prius+

Bigger seven-seat Prius makes for a practical, sub-100g/km MPV. Chassis adequate, but noisy acceleration, an indifferent cabin and steep prices count against it Given its extraordinary success with the Toyota Prius, the 2.6m sold since 1997 making it the planet’s most popular hybrid, it’s surprising that Toyota’s taken so long to exploit the name’s shiny reputation. But it is now, first with this bigger MPV called Prius+, and next month with the Prius plug-in. The Prius+ provides three rows of seats and more load capacity within a longer, reshaped body and uses the familiar 1.8VVTi hybrid drivetrain, but with the vital difference that the battery is now lithium-ion rather than nickel-metal hydride. This more energy-dense pack lives between the front seats, freeing space for the third row. Low emissions are the aim, the forecast best-selling T4 achieving an impressive 96g/km of CO2 to make it the only sub-100g/km MPV. Frustratingly, the bigger-wheeled T Spirit slips to 101g/km, though.Room in the middle row, whose three seats recline and fold individually, is decent, while row three will be comfortable enough for kids. Folding the seats is one-handed and produces an almost flat (but high) floor, though with all seats erected there’s only 232 litres of load bay. A fully laden Prius+ won’t be speedy, especially with eco mode engaged, its power parcelled in austerity style.Sink the accelerator and the CVT transmission provokes a sharp, continuous and unappealing drone that needs much better suppression, although quiet is restored at a cruise.Handling is tidier than you’d expect and the ride pleasingly level, although sharper bumps betray a lack of pliancy.Mostly it’s comfortable and well-kitted despite a slightly depressing shades-of-grey-cabin that’s not good enough at this price. Which is too high in this class, low emissions or not.Toyota Prius+ T4Price £26,195; Engine 4cyls in-line, 1798cc, hybrid; Power 134bhp at 4000rpm; Torque 142lb ft at 4000rpm; 0-62mph 11.3sec; Top speed 103mph; Gearbox hybrid CVT; Kerb weight 1495kg; Economy 68.9mpg; CO2 96g/km

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Audi A6 Allroad

The entry-level version of the Audi A6 Allroad impresses with a punchy engine and a fine ride. It's a shame that it will be largely overlooked in the range The entry point into the new Audi A6 Allroad range, complete with a 215bhp version of the car’s 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine.The engine is effectively a detuned version of the 268bhp version which is expected to represent the overwhelming majority of sales. Despite reduced running costs and a lower sticker price, the car we’re testing here will make up around seven per cent of all A6 Allroad sales. There is also a range-topping twin-turbo version producing 316bhp.That’s surprising, because thanks to weight being reduced by around 20 per cent over the old car through the extensive use of aluminium, on-paper performance is impressive. It’ll reach 62mph in 7.5sec and reach a 139mph maximum while returning 46.3mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 159g/km of CO2.The 3.0-litre V6 is mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. No manual option is offered. The A6 Allroad uses the same quattro all-wheel drive system as the standard A6, which splits torque 40/60 front to rear. Standard air suspension with controlled damping allows the body to rise through 60mm from its lowest to highest setting and will adjust its ride height depending on speed.The rough-and-tumble looks of the previous car have been toned down and the look is sleeker, which may or may not please customers. Part of the old car’s appeal was that it looked like it was capable of towing a horse box across a field (Audi says the equestrian market is a key one), while not having the controversial trappings of a proper SUV. Even so, in neither old nor new Allroad is the cladding likely to stand up to too much abuse from regular green-laning.Certainly the versatility will suit the outdoor enthusiast markets; there’s 565 litres of boot space, growing to 1680 litres with the rear seats down, and the roof rails will carry up to 120kg. The 2500kg towing capacity is identical regardless of the powertrain. The new car is both wider and longer than the car it replaces. The power deficit over other models certainly doesn’t reduce driver enjoyment.The engine is refined and flexible and offers plenty of punch. Peak torque of 332lb ft arrives between 1250 and 3000rpm, so rarely is it left wanting when a burst of acceleration is required. Accelerating hard out of tight bends on our Dartmoor test route revealed a well matched set of gear ratios, and the fast-shifting S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is decisive.Over rough roads, sliced and diced by wear and poor repairs, the Allroad rides exceptionally well, and superb body control allows faster progress than would be possible in a tall SUV or a low-slung executive estate. On muddy, wet or poor roads, few cars are as able at speed. It is here where the standard air suspension earns its corn. In comfort or automatic settings, there is a superb balance of ride and precision; only the sportiest of the settings begins to upset the ride.There is no less steering feel than the standard A6 Avant, either. Audi Drive Select is standard fit – now featuring an Efficiency mode to reduce power consumption of ancillary equipment – and works in conjunction with Dynamic Steering and Sports Differential. There are two trim levels to choose from with the entry-level Allroad coming with 18in alloys, DAB, sat nav, USB, Bluetooth preparation, four-zone climate control and bi-xenon headlights. While the range-topping Allroad Sport trim adds electrically adjustable, Valcona leather upholstered front sports seats, LED headlights and folding mirrors.Unsurprisingly, the 215bhp Allroad is the efficiency champion. Headline figures of 159g/km and 46.3mpg are 10g/km and 1.5mpg less than the 268bhp model. Audi claims it has best in class running costs.If you do, you’ll be in the minority, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t. Running costs are impressive for a car this talented, but given the affluence of A6 Allroad buyers, the price differential isn’t enough to pull buyers from the more potent models.It makes more sense as a company car, where its 25 per cent benefit-in-kind rating undercuts the equivalent Volvo XC70 by four per cent.As an every day ownership proposition, and in isolation, the entry-level A6 Allroad is all the car you could ever need.Audi A6 Allroad 3.0 TDI 204PS S tronicPrice £43,150; Engine V6, 2967cc, turbodiesel; Power 201bhp at 3250-4500rpm; Torque 332lb ft at 1250-3000rpm; 0-62mph 7.5sec; Top speed 139mph; Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic; Kerb weight 1855kg; Economy 46.3mpg; CO2 159g/km

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Promoted: Skoda Superb – technology that adds comfort and safety

The Skoda Superb's infotainment system can connect with your smart device

The new Superb is fitted with plenty of smart technology designed to make driving easier and safer

Technology is everywhere these days – and the new Skoda Superb is packed with high-end kit designed to make driving more comfortable and, most importantly, safer.

The Superb's infotainment system features a Columbus sat-nav and DAB digital radio that can link up with your smartphone. As well as enabling hands-free calls, the system allows you to access many of your phone’s features through the Superb’s touch-screen - so you can play your music, or use your preferred mapping app with ease.

The Superb also features a range of intelligent assistance systems to make driving both safer and easier. These include a Smart light assistance system, which automatically dims your high beam lights when another car approaches. Other options include front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.

To check out more about the tech fitted to the Superb, watch this video. 

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Citroen C4 Cactus M concept revealed

Citroen Cactus M concept is revealed, with the convertible version inspired by the lightweight Mehari 4x4

The Citroën Cactus M concept car has been revealed at the Frankfurt motor show.

The open-top concept car is based on the same underpinnings as the production Cactus hatchback and takes styling inspiration from the Citroën Mehari lightweight off-road vehicle, which was sold from 1968 to 1988.

Despite its Cactus platform, the concept is a permanent open-top car. The only roof it comes with is a lightweight canvas arrangement that can also double up as a tent. It takes strong inspiration from the Aircross concept, which was shown at the Shanghai motor show earlier this year.

Frédéric Duvernier, Citroen’s external designer responsible for concept cars, said that the Cactus M is designed to pay homage to the Mehari rather than copy it. “There is some pressure. If you respect the spirit of the car it is alright, if you just try to redo the car the same way it is wrong,” he said. “Physically the spirit remains it is true to the original Mehari. It is not a copycat.”

The front and rear of the car are kept largely the same as the Cactus, while the rest of the car has been largely redesigned. Unlike the four-door Cactus, the Cactus M is a two-door vehicle.

The two doors are much longer than those on the standard car and are constructed of one piece of moulded plastic to reduce weight. The outside of the door is covered in the same thermoformed TPU coating as the airbumps on the Cactus, and stretch across the entire door.

The windscreen has been made more upright than on the Cactus, partly to make the car appear shorter and partly to improve the feeling of space in the cabin. The front windscreen surround and the similarly styled rear U-shaped hoop are both reinforced to improve safety and body rigidity.

Citroën says that the Cactus M is designed to be used at the beach, and it features a pair of standard surfboards that are strapped to the roof. The cabin is much more basic than that of the Cactus, and is largely fabric free, making it waterproof. It also has drainage holes under the floor mats, allowing it to be hosed down. The seats and dashboard are covered in the same material that is used to make wetsuits - meaning passengers can get in without drying themselves.

Although the front seats move forward slightly, there are two steps cut into the side of the car to act as steps so passengers can climb into the rear of the car.

The lightweight roof also doubles up as a tent, which can be attached to the top of the car and extend out to the back. The rear seats can then be dropped, and the boot lid folded down to create a sleeping area large enough for two. It is tall enough to be stood up in, too, at 1.80m high.

The roof is held in place on the top of the car, or when it is being used as a tent, by means of three tubes which are then inflated by a compressor in the rear of the car.

The Cactus M is the same length and height as the standard car and has the same length wheelbase. It is marginally wider, at 1.77m, due to tweaked wheel arches.

Power for the concept comes from Citroën’s 1.2-litre 108bhp petrol engine, and claims a fuel economy only marginally off the standard Cactus, at 58.9mpg.

Autocar can also reveal that Citroen recently applied for the trademark on the e-Mehari name, suggesting the car could have an electric or hybrid powertrain.

The e prefix to the Mehari trademark raises the possibility of a production car getting an electrically assisted four-wheel drive system. The original Mehari was sold as a 4x4 between 1979 and 1983.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC revealed

Mercedes-Benz's Audi Q5 rival will go on sale in the UK this autumn, with prices starting from £34,950

This is our first official look at the Mercedes-Benz GLC, which will do battle against the BMW X3 and Audi Q5 when it goes on sale this autumn.

The GLC’s predecessor, the GLK, was never engineered for right-hand drive, costing Mercedes valuable sales in a burgeoning area of the market as a result.

The new car will fill that gap. It’s based on the latest C-Class platform - Merc’s Modular Rear Architecture - but features a longer wheelbase than the small executive saloon. The GLC’s chief target is clearly the X3, with Merc’s offering being just 1mm shorter than the BMW, and 9mm wider. It is considerably lower, though.

Despite their similar lengths, the GLC’s wheelbase is 60mm longer than the X3’s. You notice this in the rear cabin, where there’s enough space for four grown-ups to sit in comfort. Headroom and legroom are especially ample.

The GLC will be offered with two diesel engines to start off with, badged GLC 220d and GLC 250d. They’re actually differently tuned versions of the same motor - in this case, Merc’s M274 2.1-litre unit. The more modest version will have 168bhp, while the 250d will offer 201bhp. As they are both based on the same engine, they also claim the same economy and emissions rating. They both produce 129g/km of CO2 and claim an average of 56.5mpg.

Unsurprisingly the 250d is the faster of the two, with 0-62mph coming in 7.6 seconds, and a top speed of 138mph. The 220d manages 0-62mph in 8.3sec, and has a top speed of 130mph.

The standard gearbox across the regular GLC range will be a nine-speed automatic - no manual transmissions will be offered. Four-wheel drive will be standard on all editions of the car, too.

A plug-in hybrid version will follow soon after launch. Badged 350e, it will mix the 208bhp petrol engine with a 114bhp electric motor, and feature a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Merc sources say it should be able to drive on electric power alone for about 20 miles, and will emit “less than 60g/km” of CO2.

Merc will offer the GLC with two conventionally sprung chassis set-ups: Comfort and a stiffer Sport. The car maker expects many customers to choose the optional air suspension. It can be combined with an off-road pack that adds selectable ride heights, lifting the GLC by an additional 30mm and 50mm, or lowering it by 15mm. This feature also adds an extra data page to the GLC’s infotainment system.

The GLC will get a performance version but, initially at least, it won’t be a full-house AMG V8. Instead, the GLC 450 AMG Sport will use a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol, producing around 360bhp. We expect it to arrive in the first half of 2016.

The GLC order books are open now, although first deliveries to UK customers aren’t due until November. Prices start at £34,950 for the GLC 220d 4Matic, and rise to £36,105 for the GLC 250d 4Matic.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : 2016 Audi S4 revealed at Frankfurt motor show

Newly developed V6 turbo engine gives S4 range more power, torque and economy than ever

Audi has unveiled its next-generation S4 in saloon and Avant forms at the Frankfurt motor show. The S4 arrives with a new lightweight 3.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which adds power and torque while improving economy and reducing emissions over those of the old car.

The car's styling is understated, remaining consistent with the rest of the S car range. The S4 has a new single framed front grille, 18in alloy wheels and revised front bumpers with more prominent air inlets. The rear bumpers have been restyled for the S4 with four tailpipes protruding from underneath. Mirror housings keep their trademark chrome look.

Drive is delivered through Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive set-up. A self-locking differential sends 60% of the power to the rear axle and 40% to the front. The differential can send up to 70% of all power to the front axle and up to 85% to the rear, as required to achieve best traction.

The new lightweight 3.0 TFSI engine delivers 349bhp and 369lb ft of torque. The S4 sprints from 0-62 in just 4.7 seconds, putting its performance between that of a BMW M3 and a Jaguar XE S. Fuel economy is quoted as 38mpg, while CO2 emissions are 170g/km.

A sports differential is available as an option, further improving handling while actively distributing power between the rear wheels. Audi’s Drive Select handling system comes as standard, enabling the driver to adjust the suspension set-up.

The S4 also features newly developed five-link suspension to aid high-speed stability and improve handling.

The car will appear in showrooms in 2016, with prices yet to be announced. There is likely to be a small price increase over the last S4, which was priced from £39,610.

Matthew Griffiths

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Next Renault Megane to spawn hot Renaultsport versions

As the next-generation of Renault's C-segment car is revealed at Frankfurt, design chief Laurens van den Acker confirms forthcoming hot versions

The fourth-generation Renault Megane, due in 2016, will again spawn performance-focused Renaultsport variants, high-ranking company sources have confirmed.

The standard Megane, which is based on the same underpinnings as the Nissan Pulsar, is being revealed at today’s Frankfurt motor show.

When asked about the possibility of a new Renaultsport-fettled Mégane, Renault design chief Laurens van den Acker said: “Yes, of course there will be one.”

He went on to say that designing performance-oriented models involves “priorities that I, as a designer, need to respect”.

“From a design point of view it is quite interesting, but if I was being facetious I'd challenge whether it is a car that even needs to look good. The only codes that matter are whether it is fast, light and drives well.

“As a challenge, I'd ask if a Clio 3 RS is the best looker? It's not a pure beauty but it is a striking machine. Is a Renault 5 Turbo handsome? Not in the traditional sense but I'd love to have one in the garage,” he said.

The next performance variant is likely to have different handling characteristics from the current Renaultsport Mégane, because the base car is 25mm lower than the car it replaces, has a 28mm-longer wheelbase and has wider tracks at the front and rear. 

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Renault Alaskan concept previews new pick-up due in 2017

Renault due to release new one-tonne pick-up truck in 2017

The Renault Alaskan concept has been revealed, previewing the company’s planned production pick-up truck which is due to go on sale in 2017.

The Alaskan is due to be the company’s first global pick-up and will be built alongside equivalents from Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, the latter of which is due by 2020. The production Renault and the Mercedes will share some of their architecture with the Nissan NP300 Navara, although both companies will engineer and design their own final versions to keep their identities intact.

The one-tonne Alaskan comes with 21in wheels, full LED lighting, satin-effect paint and brushed and polished metal finishes on the exterior.

Despite its commercial vehicle nature, Renault is pitching the Alaskan at the private leisure-focused user. As well as what Renault describes as high-quality interior standards and space for five in the cabin, the Alaskan concept also comes with a camera located in the door mirror to film the passing landscape. It is offered with a selection of accessories such as a load bed liner and cover.

The Alaskan comes with the 163bhp 2.3-litre 163hp twin-turbo diesel that features in the Master van. Although there are no official performance figures quoted for the Alaskan, it is capable of a claimed combined economy figure of 40.4mpg in the Master.

The production version of the Alaskan will be revealed in summer 2016 before going on sale in Europe the following summer.

Speaking to Autocar at the Frankfurt motor show, Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker said: "As a design challenge Ioved it. You can imagine the reaction in the design studio every time we pulled the covers off it - a large French pick-up is unheard of.

"To design something with no history behind it, with nothing to lose and with every potential customer a conquest was a joy. I loved it. From my experience with Ford in the US I was the only one in the entire team who had any experience if doing a pick-up and that brought a great freedom to the project."

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider revealed - new pictures and video

Ferrari’s most powerful mid-engined drop-top to date is set to go on sale next spring for close to £200,000

The Ferrari 488 Spider is the most powerful mid-engined convertible that the company has yet made. Its turbocharged V8 engine delivers 660bhp at 8000rpm.

The Spider uses a similar folding hard-top to that of its predecessor, the 458 Spider. Ferrari says the hard-top is 25kg lighter than a cloth roof and takes just 14 seconds to fold up or down. When folded down, the roof lies flat on top of the engine.

Despite the removal of a fixed roof, the 488 Spider is claimed by Ferrari to have the same torsional rigidity as the 488 GTB, thanks to its spaceframe chassis. It is made of 11 different aluminium alloys in conjunction with other metals, such as magnesium. These gains have led to a claimed 23% improvement in chassis rigidity compared with the 458 Spider.

The 488 Spider is marginally heavier than the 488 GTB. With a 1420kg dry weight when fitted with optional lightweight equipment, the open-topped 488 is only 50kg heavier than the coupé and is 10kg lighter than the 458 Spider.

The 488 is the most aerodynamic drop-top that Ferrari has made and has several major visual changes from the coupé. The most notable ones are the large flying buttresses, which sit behind the two seats. They are designed to send airflow to the engine cover and into the air intakes.

The rear spoiler, which channels air through a gap on the rear lip, remains unchanged from the coupé. The Spider also gets the GTB’s adjustable rear diffuser, which varies its position depending on speed and throttle input.

To improve in-cabin comfort, the 488 Spider has an adjustable rear wind stopper in the form of an electric glass window. It can be placed in three different positions to increase protection as desired. It can also be dropped while the roof is in place to increase the sound of the engine in the cabin even in poor weather conditions.

Ferrari has tweaked the 488’s suspension for the Spider, increasing compliance to make it a little more comfortable than the GTB, because Ferrari reckons the convertible model is more likely to be used on the road than on circuits. The exhaust noise has also been slightly detuned, so the noise at speed is less overpowering with the roof off.

The engine itself is identical to that of the GTB and gives the Spider the same claimed 0-62mph time of 3.0sec, although 0-124mph takes marginally longer, at 8.7sec to the fixed-head car’s 8.4sec. The top speed is 203mph. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are unchanged from the GTB’s, though, at a combined 24.8mpg and 260g/km.

Pricing has not yet been confirmed - although the 488 is expected to follow a similar pricing pattern to the 458 Italia and Spider, with the convertible 488 model attracting a £20,000 premium over the coupé. With the coupé starting at £183,974, a price of between £200,000 and £205,000 is most likely.

The Spider is set to come with the same equipment and options as the GTB. Right-hand-drive cars are due to go on sale in late spring next year.

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : New Audi Sport dealers to fight BMW M and Mercedes-AMG

Audi to roll out new Audi Sport dealers

Ingolstadt to give enthusiast buyers of its performance models special treatment at dealerships to enhance the success of its RS sub-brand

Audi is to launch a worldwide network of specially branded ‘Audi Sport’ dealers to fight the BMW M and Mercedes-AMG performance car divisions.

The project has been under development for a couple of years and will be rolled out worldwide by the end of this month.

Audi’s intention is to formalise and increase the success of its RS models. The feeling is that its enthusiast buyers need special treatment and haven’t been getting it.

The launch of the new Audi Sport dealer network is being tied in with the new R8. Audi will reorganise and expand its strategy for reveals of sporty and powerful models so there’s roughly one ‘event’ every year.

“In 2013, we had seven new RS models in one year - then nothing,” said sales and marketing boss Luca de Meo. “We won’t be doing that again.”

Some UK dealers are ready to launch Audi Sport premises alongside existing dealerships. “We don’t insist on this,” said de Meo, “but we are very happy if it happens.”

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AGYA CLUB INDONESIA : Hyundai sets out N performance division plans at Frankfurt motor show

Korean manufacturer shows off new N concept car and previews next-generation WRC competitor at Frankfurt motor show

Hyundai’s N Performance brand has taken centre stage at the Frankfurt motor show, as the Korean firm has revealed a concept car for the Gran Turismo racing game.

The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept is described as showing “the brand’s unique perspective on future performance characteristics” and has been created as part of the Vision Gran Turismo project.

The concept is envisioned as being powered by an 872bhp hydrogen-fuelled powertrain. The firm’s RM15 concept car, which was unveiled in Seoul earlier this year, is also on display.

Hyundai has also previewed the styling of its next-generation WRC rally car, based on the i20.

The first production car to launch from the N Performance sub-brand is set to be a hot version of the Hyundai i30, which is due to go on sale in two years to rival the Volkswagen Golf R.

The hot i30, which has already been spotted testing at the Nurburgring, will feature lower, stiffer suspension and mild styling tweaks. 

Hyundai's vice-president of marketing, Jochen Sengpiehl, said the firm was "adding the emotional characteristics of performance and driving pleasure with Hyundai N".

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