Welcome back to day three of our MotorTorque feature on the new cars of 2006. Today we focus on the family car...
Audi Allroad
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When can I expect it? : April 2006
How much is it going to cost me?:around £30,000 (est.)
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What’s being said about it?:There is plenty to say about the Audi Allroad. Returning this year with styling similar to the current A6 model, the Allroad comes with permanent 4-wheel drive to keep you from slithering on those country lanes. Expected to hit the UK in around April/May 2006, be prepared for it to slot nicely into the range without too much of a fanfare. The engine specifications haven’t been confirmed, but the concept version came with a 4.2-litre V8 diesel which reached 62mph in 6.4 seconds thanks to its 479lb of torque, sitting alongside 322bhp.
The Allroad should be good value when compared with the other A6 models. Assets will include a Tiptronic gearbox to go with its rugged styling and with a combination of off/on road ability, it is bound to be popular, especially in those areas where people really care what vehicle they are seen dropping the kids off in.
The bumpers and alloys are easy to scuff though, and there have been some issues raised around its practicality, namely that in test drives the exposed sills have transferred some dirt onto the legs of people exiting the car. It’s also been mentioned that the beautiful interior isn’t really appropriate for the kind of muck it’s likely to have to live with if used as a regular off-roader, but to the Chelsea taxi brigade that will queue up outside the Audi dealers to sign on the dotted line, that’s not really going to matter.
On the plus side - and it’s a big plus - if your piggy-bank is bursting, then you should be able to get some good gadgetry with this motor, so lots to play with including a blind spot warning system, satnav, adoptive cruise control and front and rear parking cameras. These extras will be expensive though, so it’s expected that the majority will go out and buy the 3.0-litre V6 TDi version instead, for around £30,00.
Vauxhall Meriva VXR
When can I expect it? : March 2006
How much is it going to cost me?: TBC
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What’s being said about it?:
There is going to be a huge divide over this one. Half will be the purists who have their feet firmly in the ‘don’t mix business with pleasure’ – which in this case translates to ‘don’t mix performance with mini MPV’. Vauxhall have gone out on a limb and have crossed out this unwritten rule replacing it with a VXR version of the little Meriva, which is bound to grate on some, who will simply render it pointless.
There will then be the other half who get a smile on their face just thinking about this little motor – after all it is fun, fast, cheeky and a world first.
Whatever happens, it will be one of the most-talked about cars of the year, and for the most part that probably won’t be a bad thing. What has to be appreciated whatever your viewpoint, is that the Meriva hasn’t just been tweaked here and there; Vauxhall have gone all out to make sure that the smallest VXR will be able to hold its own in the fiercely competitive hatch category, while also giving a bit of a nudge to those used to driving much bigger cars.
Nestling under the bonnet is a new 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine which produces 185bhp and can do 0-60 in 8 seconds reaching a top speed of 140mph, while the front wheels are driven by a six-speed close ratio gearbox.
The chassis has been reworked to make it stiffer so it can cope with the extra power. The exterior styling has been given a boost with reprofiled front and rear bumpers which link it to the style started with the VXR Astra, Zafira and Vectra models. There are smart 17-inch alloy wheels which continue the VXR look with the trademark six spoke design.
Inside the Meriva, you can’t move for the VXR logos that adorn the gearstick, instruments and steering wheel, and the practicality of the acclaimed FlexSpace seating system remains.
Ford Mondeo
When can I expect it? : Probably 2007
How much is it going to cost me?: 16,000 (Est)
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What’s being said about it?:
There is good news and bad news. Now although this is about cars of 2006 and we’re probably not going to see this one until 2007, we couldn’t let the new Ford Modeo slip by unmentioned.
That’s because this is the future of family cars, Ford-style. Although there is a wait for this one, it doesn’t mean that Ford will be sitting with their feet up eating biscuits; they will be busy launching the Galaxy, SAV and the Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, which is why they are waiting before turning their full attention on their new Mondeo.
The closest we have come to finding out what the new Mondeo is going to be like comes in the form of the Iosis concept which went on show at the Frankfurt Motor show in 2005.
Recently announced with collaborators PSA Peugeot Citroen, the flagship engine is likely to be a 2.2-litre diesel with up to 170bhp thanks to two turbos, one for low-down torque and the other joining in to give it a bit of top end oomph.
The Mercedes CLS inspired four-door coupe silhouette will remain. And the new ‘kinetic’ design is described by the executive design director Martin Smith calls ‘distintive and emotional, more athletic and muscular’.
The nose of the concept car is meant to be very close indeed to the actual Mondeo’s. There are, as with any concept, features on the Iosis that very probably won’t be present on the cars once they go into production, such as the gullwing doors and cameras instead of door mirrors, but what is clear is that when it finally does hit the UK, we will be seeing a very much more stylish car.
The concept car uses a combination of modern materials such as aluminium steering wheel with leather grips, while the seats are made from carbonfibre and aluminium and are trimmed in leather too. This should ensure that we can expect a step up in class and quality inside the car as well as out.
A twin turbo Mondeo with CLS styling is a car that is sure to make you feel better about your day, whether you spend your morning zipping along country lanes or thundering along the motorway. Now you see why we couldn’t leave it out!
Kia Magentis
When can I expect it? : February 2006
How much is it going to cost me?: £14,000 (Est)
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What’s being said about it?:
If you said that it wasn’t the most exciting car in the world, we couldn’t say you were lying. But it’s not all about excitement, and what it will do is go a long way to improving the Kia’s budget image. The Magentis saloon is the latest step in the in the complete revision of Kia’s model range. The family car will go on sale in February with a prices starting from around £14,000.
Created by Kia’s design teams in Korea, Germany and the USA, it’s far more European in design - something that Kia are proud of. Even if it is just the trim and seats that’s designed to make us feel more ‘at home’, the new Magentis will also be the first to become available with a diesel engine.
The diesel engine will arrive a few months after the petrol engines – a 144bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 188bhp 2.8 V6 which will be available from February. All will be available as automatics – which is standard on the V6 but optional on the others.
So, the new Magentis is completely new, so as you can expect, it will be more expensive. You will though, get more for your money. There is more space inside for passengers and it has a larger boot. Add to this that it’s taller, wider and longer than it’s predecessor and the price-hike starts to sound justified.
All models will benefit from anti-lock brakes and anti-whiplash head restraints with front and side airbags. Stability control, curtain airbags and parking sensors will be available as options. The entry-level LX should bring air-conditioning, a CD player and all-round electric windows, while EX trim should add climate control, a leather interior and alloy wheels.
Honda Accord
When can I expect it? :January 2006
How much is it going to cost me?: Around 17,000
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What’s being said about it?:
The all new Honda Accord isn’t going to be with us until 2008, so to keep the current Honda looking spritely, Honda will give it a few nips and tucks.
The new Accord may not look much different to the one we are used to now, but the real differences will lie in the safety gadgets included such Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist.
Mazda 6 MPS
When can I expect it? :May 2006
How much is it going to cost me?:£25,000 (est)
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What’s being said about it?:
Family cars don’t have to be boring.
Honestly. They don’t
Just because you’re a sensible person with a family to look after doesn’t mean that you can’t have some fun too. The Mazda has sharp handling which sits well with the 260bhp engine in the 6 MPS (Mazda Performance Series – if you didn’t know!).
Oh, and we should mention, it looks good too.
Mercedes C Class
When can I expect it? :TBC – Winter 2006
How much is it going to cost me?: TBC
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What’s being said about it?:
Not much. Mercedes are being extremely tight-lipped on the new C-Class and have locked down all information on it.
So we’ll have to speculate. When you consider the success of the CLS and the new S-Class, it’s a fair bet to assume that Mercedes-Benz will go down the same route with the new C-Class.
Engines will range from four-cylinders to a C55 AMG with an impressive 400bhp. Keep your fingers crossed that we see the car before the end of the year.
Come back tomorrow when we will be taking a look at the sporty new numbers of 2006.