RAY MASSEY: Vauxhall’s grand plans for its Grandland SUV

The brand new second-generation household SUV from Vauxhall has grown in dimension and stature by going upmarket.

It is paid off because the Grandland, produced with Vauxhall and its German sibling Opel badges, gained Germany’s prestigious Golden Steering Wheel award.

With costs from £34,700 for the petrol-hybrid and from £40,995 for the pure electrical model, it is available in three trim ranges: Design, GS and Final.

I put the all-electric and petrol hybrid to the take a look at by Rhine nation earlier than they attain UK showrooms later this month.

The brand new Grandland is even grander than the outgoing mannequin as it’s 17.3cm longer, 4.9cm wider, 3.6cm larger and far roomier inside. This sense is enhanced by a panoramic glass roof.

The sensible, modern inside features a cockpit with a 16in widescreen central show, giving it a clear, trendy atmosphere.

There’s a good mix of bodily buttons and touch-screen controls. A Pure Mode reduces the content material displayed on display to a vital minimal at evening or at larger speeds.

For a calming journey, drivers and passengers get pleasure from ergonomic seats with individually adjustable aspect cushions licensed by Germany’s Marketing campaign for More healthy Backs.

The Grandland additionally has an illuminated, translucent glass floor cowl underneath which your smartphone could be inductively charged just by mendacity it on the floor. And it is the primary manufacturing Vauxhall to function an illuminated Griffin badge on its V-shaped ‘visor’ entrance.

The sensible, modern inside features a cockpit with a 16in widescreen central show, giving it a clear, trendy atmosphere 

The brand new Grandland is even grander than the outgoing mannequin as it’s 17.3cm longer, 4.9cm wider, 3.6cm larger and far roomier inside

For a calming journey, drivers and passengers get pleasure from ergonomic seats with individually adjustable aspect cushions

The boot has round 550 litres of bags room or 1,645 litres with rear seats folded

Electrical Final

Energised by a 73KWh battery, the zero-emissions SUV has a robust 213 horse-power (157kw) electrical motor that enables it to speed up from relaxation to 62mph in 9 seconds, as much as a prime velocity restricted to 106mph. There are three driving modes: Eco, Regular, and my most popular Sport. Driving on 20in wheels, it has a claimed EV vary of 318 miles which ought to get you from London to Newcastle. Though heavier than the hybrid, it feels extra highly effective.

Petrol-electric hybrid mannequin

This mannequin combines a 136hp (100kW) turbocharged 1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol engine with a small 28hp (21kW) electrical motor. It accelerates from relaxation to 62mph in 10.2 seconds, as much as 126mph, however lacks the chew and oomph of its electrical sibling.

Nice for round city, it felt strained by comparability when requested to ship a extra energetic efficiency. It provides 51.4 mpg and CO2 emissons of 125g/km.

The brand new Grandland additionally options glare-free HD headlights. Most materials, inside trim and door panels are recycled – with three vegan – however look sensible.

The boot has round 550 litres of bags room or 1,645 litres with rear seats folded.

The automotive can also be chrome free.

My testing befell out of Vauxhall father or mother firm Stellantis’s headquarters at Russelsheim in Germany, the place I loved various drives of my very own selecting by city and nation all the way down to the scenic Rhine and again.

Bentley slams breaks on electrical automobiles 

Bentley is to delay going totally electrical till 2035 because it slams the brakes on its drive to an electrified future – the newest in a run of carmakers to take action.

Its unique 2030 deadline has been scrapped and the primary car – to be unveiled from 2026 and in showrooms from 2027 – will now be a Crewe-built, battery-powered, luxurious SUV and never the electrical grand tourer GT first envisaged.

Go-slow: Bentley says falling demand for EVs and a scarcity of an acceptable public charging infrastructure is responsible for the delay

Bentley says falling demand for EVs and a scarcity of an acceptable public charging infrastructure is responsible for the delay.

To plug the hole to 2035, the British carmaker will enhance manufacturing and lengthen the life-cycle of petrol-electric plug-in hybrid fashions, for which demand is booming.

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