The Toyota RAV4, celebrating 20 years, will be "even better" in 2014
The Toyota RAV4, celebrating 20 years, will be "even better" in 2014
We’re not even one month in and there’s already a ton of stuff happening in the world of motoring. Read on to find out about the latest releases, reasons to celebrate and great news for the UK car industry.
Toyota has revealed an “even better” RAV4 for 2014, with higher specification (when you opt for the Icon or Invincible variant) and new options such as Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the RAV4 has dropped in price (the 2.0 D-4D 2WD Active model is just £22,195). And if you'd like all-wheel drive AND the super-efficient 2-litre D-4D diesel engine – you’re in luck! This is now available in the “original compact recreational SUV”.
If you don’t opt for the entry-level Active model, the car comes with Toyota Touch 2, a touchscreen multimedia system with a high-res screen, Bluetooth, rear-view camera, trip data and iPod/MP3 connectivity.
Find out more or search all Toyota RAV4 cars in our stock.
The new AMG Sport Edition model line, available on the C 220 CDI and C 250 CDI engines, will replace the AMG Sport and AMG Sport Plus model lines, across the Saloon, Estate and Coupe variants. New features include an AMG boot lid spoiler, dark-tinted headlights and a high-gloss black grille.
An incredibly stylish interior can be further enhanced with two new optional packages – the Premium Package (£1595), with COMAND Online & Media Interface, reversing camera, heated front seats, Lighting Package and DAB digital radio, and the Premium Plus Package (£2495) which also includes a panoramic glass sunroof.
Prices start from £30,170 OTR for the Saloon, £31,370 for the Estate and £32,455 for the Coupe.
Get excited! There are tons of terrific new cars launching very soon, including the new Hyundai i10 and the Volkswagen e-up!.
Other recent releases include the SEAT Leon ST, Skoda Rapid Spaceback and the new Ford Ecosport SUV.
Super affordable car maker Dacia, part of the Renault group, are celebrating their 1st birthday this month, having had a stormer of a year. As well as being the fastest-growing car brand in the UK and chalking up an impressive 17,146 sales, Dacia took home numerous awards in 2013, including Scottish Car of the Year (for the Duster), Best Budget Car (Sandero) and What Car?’s “Best Supermini Under £12,000” (Sandero), as well as Caravan Club and Towcar awards celebrating the Duster’s towing abilities.
The Renault ZOE, Euro NCAP’s “Best Electric Vehicle of 2013”, is also celebrating its first birthday this week, with a glittering celebration at the Chateau de Versailles.
The UK produced more than 1.5 million cars in 2013, a six-year manufacturing high. Ownership also increased, with around 2.26 million cars registered during the year. Vince Cable, Business Secretary, commented that the figures “are another sign that the British car industry is going from strength to strength.”
The Nissan factory in Sunderland built over 500,000 cars in 2013, while Jaguar Land Rover and Toyota’s factory in Derbyshire also contributed heavily to the high production figures. 80% of British-built cars are exported – largely to China, Russia and the US.
Early predictions suggest that British car production (which also includes Honda and MINI, and specialist cars such as Bentley, Aston Martin and Rolls Royce) could pass the 2 million mark by 2017. If this is true, the UK could be the 3rd largest car manufacturer in Europe.
Already in 2014 we’ve seen the many new releases and concept cars at the Detroit Auto Show and the What Car? awards naming the Nissan Qashqai as the Car of the Year.
