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Daily Record
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We try out the luxury GV70 electric Genesis SUV and discover Skoda holidays survey results
The Genesis GV70's exterior shares the same handsome looks as its petrol-powered sibling apart from a re-designed front grille which cleverly hides the charging port. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John tries out the luxury GV70 electric SUV from Genesis and discovers how a Skoda survey found that lots of UK motorists are planning to take holidays at home this year, with Scotland a top destination. The world's top golfers had the opportunity to win a luxury Genesis GV70 at the recent Scottish Open by grabbing a hole In one at a par 3 but the talented field did not manage it. Just days later (without having to strike a ball) I got the chance to sample the all-electric GV70 SUV which was first launched in the UK back in late 2022 and, other than a price increase, it remains the same premium, stylish vehicle competing for a share of a crowded market. It is only available in Sport trim and starts at£65,105 before adding any options. It features a pair of electric motors delivering up to 483bhp in 'Boost' mode and a stonking 700Nm of torque. That combination is enough to tackle 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds. With a claimed combined range of 283 miles - or 367 around town - it remains practical as well as luxurious. The exterior shares the same handsome looks as its petrol-powered sibling apart from a re-designed front grille which cleverly hides the charging port. The cabin is superbly crafted and put together with excellent materials and the quality is excellent with room for five adults to travel in comfort. Like its siblings this model features a14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen which can also be operated by a rotary controller dial, an eight-inch digital dash, powered leather seats, and ambient mood lighting. All controls and switches are well placed and so you can control the heating and ventilation without fuss. Heating is available for both seating rows and soft materials cover every surface, from the inside of the door handles to leather effect trim for the dashboard. On the practical side the boot, which comes as standard with a powered tailgate, offers a generous 503-litres of capacity which increases to 1678 when the 60:40 split-fold rear seats are down. There's also a useful 25-litre trunk at the front of the car which is handy for storing the charging cables. The GV70 can be sporty when you want it to be but it is really designed for luxury and comfort to spoil its passengers. Front facing cameras scan for obstacles like speed bumps and potholes and the adaptive dampers and suspension adjust to keep things smooth. Noise-cancelling technology keeps the cabin quiet even at motorway speeds and the GV70 is also handy on country roads. Three drive modes - Eco, Comfort and Sport - let you change your driving style to suit your mood and there is also e-Terrain technology to provide extra grip in mud, sand and snow. You can also save energy with the car's clever regenerative system which can be adjusted from wheel-mounted paddle-shifters. A rapid charger will take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 18 minutes. As you would expect the GV70 comes with all the latest active and passive safety systems including a front centre airbag, smart cruise control, emergency braking and Evasive Steering Assist - which will actively help turn the car away from a potential collision. Like all Genesis models the GV70 comes with a five-year care plan including warranty, roadside assistance and servicing. FAST FACTS: Price: £65.105. Mechanical: 242bhp, electric engine driving all-four wheels via an automatic transmission. Max speed: 146mph. 0-62mph: 4.2 seconds. Range: 283 miles. Insurance group: 50. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Bik rating: Two per cent. Warranty: Five years/unlimited mileage. Overall rating (out of 5): 4.6. In other motoring news, a survey by Skoda UK finds 83 per cent of UK motorists are keen to holiday and explore on home turf this year, with Scotland a top destination. Brits are taking holiday plans into their own hands, with 61 per cent considering going on a road trip this year because it means they can be spontaneous and stop where they choose. More than half (52 per cent) want to unleash their adventurous side and visit places they've never been before, while visiting friends and family en-route is another popular reason for taking to the road. For the journey, UK motorists say nice weather is the most important contributing factor to a good road trip, while scenic routes and the company in the car are all important as well. Cost is a key factor in the decision to jump behind the wheel, with 33 per cent saying driving is more affordable than going by plane, train or boat. More than half are happy to travel more than 300 miles for a road trip, while almost one in 10 say they'd be willing to cover 1001 miles or more. Here are the top five places to head on a road trip, according to British drivers: The Scottish Highlands (42 per cent). The Lake District, Cumbria (40 per cent). Yorkshire Dales (36 per cent). Isle of Skye, Scotland (35 per cent). St. Ives, Cornwall (35 per cent). *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We put the spotlight on all-new Mazda CX-5 and Kia EV6 GT
Mazda claims the third-generation CX-5 is crafted to adapt to modern life and will build on the success of its predecessor. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John puts the spotlight on the all-new Mazda CX-5, which will go on sale in the UK next summer, and the blistering Kia EV6 GT. Next year will be huge for Mazda UK with the new all-electric 6e arriving quickly followed in the summer by the all-new CX-5 SUV, which was revealed this week. The new Mazda CX-5 is a bold evolution of its best-selling SUV and features a refined design, intuitive technology, and an optimised 2.5-litre petrol engine. Mazda claims the third-generation CX-5 is crafted to adapt to modern life and will build on the success of its predecessor. It retains the iconic shape of the current model while advancing Mazda's Kodo - Soul of Motion design language and integrating the latest Skyactiv technology - first introduced with the original CX-5 back in 2012. The new 12.9- or 15.6-inch centre display delivers smartphone-style interaction with customisable menus. For the first time in a Mazda, the all-new CX-5 with Google built-in makes every day driving easier. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and streamlined steering wheel controls help ensure essential information is delivered clearly. Higher grades also include a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Evolved under the design concept of 'Wearable Gear', the latest iteration presents a sportier, more confident form, suited to both urban and adventurous driving. New proportions and the extended wheelbase enhance road presence, stability and interior and boot space, increasing overall practicality for daily use. Designed for family life, the all-new CX-5 now has an additional 61 litres of boot space, wider-opening rear doors and a 40:20:40 split-folding bench for extra versatility. The cabin offers a clean, spacious and calming environment crafted with refined materials. A simplified layout that wraps around the entire front contributes to a driver-focused yet family-friendly atmosphere. Key features include a new centre console with enhanced storage and - on higher trims - a panoramic sunroof that emphasises openness. Ambient lighting on the front door trims, exclusive to the range-topping Homura grade, adds to the cabin's refined and tranquil environment. The all-new CX-5 is offered in four grades - Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, and Homura - each with distinct interior finishes and equipment. Interior options include black or tan leather (Homura) and a two-tone black-and-white artificial leather and suede-like finish (Exclusive-Line). Underneath the bonnet, the all-new CX-5 is powered by a 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv G 141ps petrol engine, paired with 24V Mazda M Hybrid technology with a brake-by-wire system, replacing the previous 2.0-litre base unit. This engine delivers confident performance with improved torque for quicker response, seamless acceleration, and better driving comfort. Producing 141ps (104 kW) and 238 Nm of torque, the front-wheel drive variant accelerates from 0-62mph in 10.5 seconds. Available in FWD and AWD, the all-new CX-5 benefits from chassis and suspension updates, providing enhanced ride comfort and road handling. With a towing capacity of up to 2000 kg, the latest CX-5 is more capable than ever - ready to keep up with active, on-the-go lifestyles. Equipped with a comprehensive suite of updated ADAS features, the all-new CX-5 targets a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating. Jeremy Thomson, managing director, Mazda Motors UK, said: "The Mazda CX-5 is an incredibly important car in Mazda's history and I'm excited for the third-generation model to join Mazda's SUV line-up next year. "From the launch of the original first-generation car in 2012, the CX-5 has been a hugely popular choice for UK SUV buyers who have loved its style, quality and driver engagement, and having recently surpassed 100,000 sales in the UK, it's clear this ever-popular SUV has seen amazing customer loyalty and satisfaction." He added: "It's incredible to look back and consider just how much the UK market has changed since the CX-5's launch in 2012. "The huge increase in the popularity of SUVs means that today the CX-5 sits alongside the 2025 Mazda CX-60, all-new Mazda CX-80 and the smaller Mazda CX-30 in our line-up, but it was the success of the award-winning CX-5 that established Mazda as a maker of genuinely sporty SUVs, which deliver class leading quality and high levels of standard equipment." Also unveiling a new vehicle is KIA, who is proving that you can make electric vehicles exciting with the latest GT version of its EV6 model. Priced from £59,985 it delivers near supercar performance in a practical package. The EV6 has a 0 to 62mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds with an astonishing top speed of 161mph possible. I did not get anywhere near the claimed 279 mile range, mainly because of the hot weather and having to use the air-con at full blast, and partly because it was tempting to use the loud pedal. The EV6 GT has improved battery performance and is powered by a new 84kWh battery pack that is 8.5 per cent bigger than the previous generation EV6 GT battery. It is powered by an all-wheel drive, dual-motor drivetrain, making the GT is capable of producing up to 641bhp and 770Nm of torque - an increase of 64bhp and 30Nm over its predecessor. Along with neon green brake callipers front and rear, neon green piping throughout the interior, and a neon green 'GT' button on the steering wheel, the new model boasts various premium and performance-focused improvements including Virtual Gear Shift technology, simulating a six-speed paddle-operated transmission. I was not a fan of the neon green inside the cabin and found the stripe at the top of the steering wheel particularly annoying as it was always in my eye line. The gear shift technology is a first for Kia and when activated, provides drivers with new visual, audible and tactile cues to make the car more engaging. The model also features an enhanced GT Mode, a dedicated drive mode activated using the neon green button on the steering wheel which sharpens up steering responses. GT Mode also changes the theme of the 12.3-inch driver display screen, with more neon green details and a new font for the speed and range readouts. Kia says the new EV6 GT can be recharged to 80 per cent capacity in just 18 minutes from a fast charger. Inside, the previous glossy piano black materials have been replaced with a brushed metal-effect finish, reducing the accumulation of fingerprint smudges throughout the cabin and the car is fitted with electrically powered front bucket seats. The car is covered by Kia's seven-year 100,000 mile warranty with the motors and battery pack covered for eight years. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We look at advice from road safety and breakdown organisation GEM and discover VW is adding more EV vans
Traffic jams, vehicle faults or even a wrong turn can turn fun into frustration. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John looks at advice from road safety and breakdown organisation GEM on how to enjoy summer trips and holiday journeys, and discovers that VW is adding more EV vans to its extensive fleet. Summer trips should be all about sunshine, adventures and the freedom of the open road, according to road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist. Sadly, as most of us know, the joy of the journey is often compromised by factors that will test anyone's patience. Traffic jams, vehicle faults or even a wrong turn can turn fun into frustration. There's no guaranteed way of avoiding trouble, but hopefully by following some simple tips from GEM they can be avoided. Nothing spoils a journey more quickly than an unexpected vehicle breakdown - and hot summer weather can put considerable extra strain on your car's systems. Battery issues are the leading cause of summer breakdowns, with older batteries particularly at risk of failing if the demand on them is too great. Hot weather means cars are 50 per cent more likely to overheat, while high road surface temperatures contribute to an increased risk of tyre blowouts and punctures. Before setting off, carry out a comprehensive check of your car. It needn't be complicated, but it could well save you from the stress of roadside troubles and expensive delays. Check tyre pressure and tread, check oil levels, coolant and brake fluid. Ensure your lights and indicators are functioning correctly, and don't forget to top up your windscreen washer fluid. If you're travelling abroad, check on local regulations at your destination and make sure your car is compliant. Different countries have their own emissions standards so you might need the appropriate sticker. Also check on the safety equipment required in your car. By doing this you're not only looking after your car, but you'll also worry much less about anything going wrong. Knowing your car is fit for the road will allow you to focus on the journey ahead, rather than worrying about a potential mechanical malfunction. Too long at the wheel leads to fatigue. With this comes a tendency to feel grumpy, as well as an inability to concentrate. Any or all of these factors will pile on the stress - and put you at greater risk of a collision. That's why planning regular breaks is essential, not only to maintain your physical wellbeing, but also to keep you mentally fresh and alert on your journey. Plan to stop every two hours or so, even if you don't feel tired. Stretch your legs, have a drink and relax. Motorway service areas have a variety of food options, though you can always save money by packing your own snacks and drinks if you wish. In other countries you may find rest stops without facilities or fuel as well as the bigger, busier service stations. Congestion is one of the biggest contributory factors to road rage and stress. Traffic jams, slow-moving vehicles and crowded motorways can quickly cause irritability. That's why a good way of leaving the stress out of a journey is to plan when you travel. Try to avoid setting off during the rush hour or on a Bank holiday weekend when the motorways and routes to popular attractions and resorts are likely to be busy. Choose the early morning, late evening, or simply a midweek driving day and you will hopefully find quieter roads - but do check before setting off for any overnight motorway closures. If you're travelling abroad, check for details of local holidays, festivals and school breaks that can cause congestion. Try out real-time traffic apps and satnav with live updates to help you re-route around the worst trouble spots. Uncertainty around finding a safe and convenient parking spot can cause stress, especially if you're in an unfamiliar location. For complete peace of mind, research the different options and book in advance. As well as reducing stress and avoiding wasted time hunting for a free parking bay, this eliminates the risk of any unwelcome penalties or fines. Out of town car parks are available in many cities, allowing you to jump on a park-and-ride bus into the centre. There are a number of apps dedicated to helping you find somewhere to park, whether in this country or abroad. Having a clear parking plan means peace of mind for you, knowing you won't have to waste time, money and effort at the end of a long and potentially tiring journey. It's not always easy to stay calm on a journey. Perhaps you're stuck in a jam, maybe confused by strange road signs, or frustrated by the actions of other drivers. It's easily said, but meeting fire with fire only risks making a situation worse - and puts you and your companions in greater danger as there's no way of knowing how far something will escalate. Try to breathe deeply, recognise that some delays are outside your control and that you can't possibly know what's going on inside the mind of another driver. Focus on the bigger picture: the day out, the holiday journey, the excitement of arriving at a lovely destination. If stress builds and you can feel yourself rattled, pull over and take a few minutes to gather your thoughts. Usually that conscious decision to pause briefly is all it takes to make you feel better and regain control. In motoring manufacturing news, German giant VW has expanded its new Transporter line-up with two further battery electric variants - the eight-seater Shuttle and ultra-flexible Kombi van. With both models receiving an all-electric powertrain for the very first time, prices for the new variants start at £53,404. Joining the all-electric Panel Van variant - in addition to TDI versions of the Panel Van, Kombi and Shuttle variants which recently opened for orders - the BEV Shuttle and Kombi models add to the new Transporter range, offering customers the flexibility to choose the right power for their needs. Available from £53,404, the BEV Transporter Kombi is available on a short or long wheelbase, offering sufficient space for any equipment as well as five seats as standard, with the option to add a sixth. It has a payload of up to 896 kg and a 65kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of up to 196 miles on pure electric. The BEV Transporter Shuttle also comes with long or short wheelbase options available, and has space for eight seats as standard with the option to add a ninth. With prices starting from £56,129, the all-electric Shuttle has a range of up to 194 miles on pure electric. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering finance deals across its new Transporter line-up, with the Kombi Commerce Plus SWB 136ps Electric available on a Solutions Personal Contract Plan from £449 per month. Prices for the Shuttle Life SWB 136ps Electric start at £589 per month on a Solutions Personal Contract Plan, with both offers including a £2500 deposit contribution from Volkswagen Financial Services. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Daily Record
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We try out the new Skoda Elroq all-electric SUV and examine why some manufacturers are moving to bring back switches and buttons
It might be the baby of Skoda's electric SUV family but the Elroq is a substantial car and is not much smaller than its big brother Enyaq, and is considerably cheaper. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John tries out the new Skoda Elroq all-electric SUV and examines why some manufacturers are moving to bring back switches and buttons to make things easier for drivers. I have just had my first drive in Skoda's Elroq electric SUV and with the range starting from £31,500 it offers great value for money. It might be the baby of Skoda's electric SUV family but the Elroq is a substantial car and is not much smaller than its big brother Enyaq, and is considerably cheaper. It offers a variety of powertrain and battery options, with a maximum range of up to 360 miles and comes with a rear-view camera, Crew Protect Assist, blind spot detection and a 13-inch infotainment screen with SmartLink. Think of it as the electric alternative to the Karoq and it offers list price parity with its ICE counterpart. The Elroq is the first Skoda model to adopt the brand's new Modern Solid design language. A glossy black Tech-Deck Face replaces the typical Skoda grille, while still referencing familiar Skoda lines. The new front is also characterised by a front bumper with a dark chrome insert, while the hallmark Skoda SUV 'four eyes' headlights graphic has been completely reinterpreted. It is also the first model to feature the Skoda lettering on both the bonnet and steering wheel. The handsome aerodynamic body boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.26. The top 85 model I sampled has a top speed of 111mph and a fairly rapid 0 to 62mph acceleration of 6.6 seconds. The Elroq is available with three different battery sizes and powertrains starting at 170ps for the entry-level Elroq 50 model. The Elroq 85 can achieve a maximum range of 360 miles and charging rates of up to 175 kW at DC fast-charging stations enable the 82 kWh battery of the Elroq 85 to recharge from 10 to 80 per cent in 28 minutes. The batteries of the Elroq 50 and Elroq 60 can be charged even more quickly, in 25 minutes or less. It is very practical and has the largest boot in its class with 470 litres of luggage capacity and up to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded down. There are also new Simply Clever features, among them compartments offering 48 litres of storage capacity and a storage net for the charging cable under the parcel shelf. A range of intuitive connectivity features, advanced assistance systems and up to nine airbags are also fitted. The six model Elroq line up tops out at £41,600 for SportLine 85 versions and my car the Elroq Edition 85 came in at £38,860 - sharply priced compared to some of its competitors. The roomy cabin is modern and offers stacks of kit and luxury touches. The materials are excellent and there is strong build quality throughout the cabin. As is usual from Skoda, there are lots of handy extra features to enjoy. The Elroq drives well in town on open roads and is also a very comfortable motorway cruiser. It does everything a family car needs to well and is composed and neatly balanced. It feels solid and substantial and the suspension deals well with all kinds of surfaces. With stacks of equipment, driver and safety aids, good looks and value for money, the Elroq is hard to beat. Just don't add too many options as the test car finished at £47,140 and, as always, make sure an EV suits your needs before parting with your cash. Also making the news, breakdown provider Start Rescue is giving support to vehicle manufacturers opting to bring back physical buttons to the dashboards of their latest models. Scrolling through on-screen menus, sometimes to perform the simplest functions, concerns many safety experts who believe this may be distracting drivers from the road ahead - and I agree with them. Euro NCAP, the independent vehicle safety rating organisation, will be introducing stricter testing protocols for 2026, mandating physical controls for key functions to reduce eyes-off-road time and promote safer driving. The issue has grown to the extent that drivers are even calling their breakdown provider for support after touchscreen problems bring their journey to a premature halt, with Start Rescue seeing an increase in touchscreen related call-outs. "Our UK support centre is receiving calls from customers facing touchscreen issues. We're receiving reports of screens 'freezing' and individual operations not responding with customers thinking there's a much wider problem," said Lee Puffett, managing director of Start Rescue. "We're backing manufacturers re-introducing more buttons, switches and rotary controls. "It's welcome from a safety perspective with key equipment like screen demisting always being available with a quick click and not being wholly reliant on a touchscreen." Start Rescue is also receiving customer enquiries concerning "juddering" steering wheels which are activated by lane assist systems or driver drowsiness and awareness alerts. Stuart Masson, editorial director of The Car Expert, one of the UK's leading independent authorities on new and used cars and motoring matters added: "The good news is that manufacturers are responding to customer needs. Important new cars we've evaluated from several major brands now offer more well-positioned buttons and that's a direct result of customer feedback. "Motorists are also being given more choice over the alerts they receive from the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems featured in all new vehicles, some of which can be distracting like a suddenly, juddering steering wheel. "The option to store your personal preferences is also a step in the right direction." Start Rescue believes the solution lies in a balanced approach combining easy-to-use screens with simple, physical buttons for key controls. The company is calling on manufacturers to: - Prioritise hybrid dashboards that combine physical and digital interfaces. - Ensure critical safety functions are never buried in menus. - Allow drivers to customise alerts and display preferences. - Improve software to prevent screen-freeze and lag. If you have repeated issues with your car's touchscreen, Start Rescue always advises to seek qualified, professional support as there may be a hardware issue or damage to the display.
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
JOHN MURDOCH'S DRIVE TIME: We sample the Puma Crossover and share details on Suzuki's e Vitara launch
The Puma is fun to drive, economical and practical as well as having stylish looks. In this instalment of John Murdoch's Drive Time, John samples Ford's biggest seller - the stylish Puma Crossover - which proves to be an ideal family car, and shares details on Suzuki's launch of its first EV - the e Vitara. The Ford Puma has been one of the UK's top selling cars since it first arrived on the scene over five years ago. It is Ford's best seller, taking over from the popular Fiesta and it also sells well throughout mainland Europe. I have sampled just about every version of it since it started to make an impact and it is a Crossover I still like. It brought something new to the party when it was launched and it rightly met with deserved praise for its style and innovative features. The Puma is also fun to drive, economical and practical as well as having stylish looks. It has some neat touches, like the pouncing Puma that appears in the dash when you press the starter button or as a puddle light in the dark. It stands out from the rest of the small crossover crowd because there is plenty of room for four to travel in comfort and you can pack in five for shorter journeys. A smart steering wheel houses the usual push-button controls while the dashboard layout is typical Ford with a central display screen for connectivity and sat nav but it also comes fitted with a smart TFT instrument cluster and a huge amount of equipment. The seats are very comfortable and fully adjustable and there is good all-round visibility. As in all Fords, the switches and controls are clear and easy to read and use. A Quickclear heated windscreen is ideal for winter motoring and there is a decent sound system as well as Ford SYNC 3 navigation and full smart phone integration. On the practical side the Puma boasts impressive carrying capacity. The boot is large for a car of this size and comes complete with Ford's MegaBox. This is an 80-litre storage space which lies beneath the split level boot floor and is ideal for carrying wet sports equipment, muddy wellies or anything else that is liable to cause a mess. It has a drain plug at the bottom and can be hosed out afterwards. If you need even more space you can collapse the split-folding rear seats to get class-leading room. This flagship ST sporty version costing £33,260, sits at the top of the range and has a 1.0-litre EcoBoost three cylinder petrol engine linked to mild hybrid technology and is good for 170ps. Digital Aqua Blue paint adds £800 to the tab and if you want the Track Pack it will cost you another £1050. It takes just 7.4 seconds to tackle the sprint to 62mph before going on to a top speed of 130mph. According to the official figures it is capable of as much as 55.4mpg with a low figure of 39.2mpg and I averaged over 48mpg during many miles of mixed driving. You get lots of advanced driver assistance aids like cruise control and pre-collision assist plus lane departure warning and handy drive modes for Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Trail conditions. You also get autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian/cyclist detection and hill start assist This model features exclusive 19-inch alloys, privacy glass, front fog lights with cornering lights and LED rear lamps. The kit list wants for nothing and you get a wireless charging pad, B&O sound system, Ford performance scuff plates, an ST flat bottomed steering wheel, red brake callipers, Ford performance seats as well as ST suspension to cope with the extra power. I liked this Puma and it was a fun car to drive with great handling and a more than decent ride even with the sports suspension. Stylish, practical, economical and entertaining, the Puma ticks all the boxes and it is also good value for money especially in the more modest versions. FAST FACTS: Price: £33,260. Mechanical: 170ps, 998cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 7 speed automatic gearbox. Max speed: 130mph. 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds. Insurance group: 19. CO2 emissions: 136g/km. Bik rating: 37 per cent. Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles. Overall rating (out of 5): 4.5. Meanwhile, Suzuki's first electric car will arrive later this year with the e Vitara priced from £29,999 for a 49kWh battery model. The e Vitara will be available in both Motion and Ultra grades as well offering ALLGRIP-e as an option - Suzuki's all-new four-wheel drive system - with the five vehicle range topping out from £37,799. ALLGRIP-e has been developed specifically for e Vitara and Suzuki is currently one of only a few brands to offer 4x4 as an option in the SUV EV sector. Suzuki has a vast experience of 4x4 technology and celebrates 55 years of ALLGRIP this year. Further specification and technical details of the e Vitara range will be issued closer to the public launch date. Buyers looking at finance options will see the e Vitara available from launch with zero per cent PCP, payable over two years and with a 20 per cent deposit. With the 61kWh Motion 2WD as an example, a deposit of £8,436 is required followed by monthly payments of £379 per month with the usual optional final payment required to keep the car at the end of the agreement. As an additional and attractive offer for customers ordering their e Vitara before September 30, Suzuki will provide a free Ohme home charger along with 10,000 miles of home charging credit. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
