Down the road: the latest new and upcoming models

As autumn and motor show season approaches, GreenFleet looks at some of the new or revised models due to arrive in the next few months

Volkswagen Caddy
Starting from £13,500 (excluding VAT and OTR charges), the third-generation Volkswagen Caddy panel van is available in three trim levels with selected models featuring start/stop and battery regeneration BlueMotion technology. A Euro 6-compliant BlueMotion variant promises 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km.

Short or Maxi wheelbases can be optioned as well as Kombi versions with windows. As with the German company’s passenger cars, a raft of safety and convenience technology can be fitted. A five-inch touchscreen ‘Composition Colour’ radio with DAB+ and Bluetooth provides entertainment, while driver alert and park assist systems, and a rear-view camera enhance safety.

On sale: September 2015
CO2: 114-158g/km
Monthly BIK: £52.50 (20%), £105.00 (40%)

BMW 3 Series
Over 14 million BMW 3 Series have been sold over the past 40 years, and the car is a big player for the Bavarian brand with over 25 per cent of its sales being from its compact exec model. A subtle refresh front and rear tidies up the looks, while new materials in the cabin bring a fresher feel.

As well as improved petrol and diesel engines wrought from the BMW EfficientDynamics range feature turbocharged technology, with the 320d EfficientDynamics Plus variant capable of a claimed 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km, bringing it inline with the new Jaguar XE and Audi A4. The petrol-powered 318i is the first 3 Series to be fitted with a three-cylinder unit. All engines in the new 3 Series range are EU6-compliant. As well as traditional petrol and diesel models, the new 3 Series range also ushers in a plug-in hybrid version, the 330e, which promises 252bhp, 134.5mpg and 49g/km when it arrives next year.

Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling SUV, the GLE has been revamped and will arrive in the UK later this month.

The German company reports that fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are down by 17 per cent on average over the outgoing car. A new plug-in hybrid model, the GLE 500 e 4MATIC, records emissions of 78g/km with claims of 85.6mpg. Electricity consumption is 16.7kWh/62 miles and the hybrid GLE can travel up to 18.5 miles in all-electric mode.

Low fuel consumption figures of 52.3mpg are also promised by the 140g/km GLE 250 d diesel version.

Audi A4
The order books for the new fifth-generation Audi A4 opened as this issue of GreenFleet went to press. Early customers will take delivery of their cars in November. Available in both the now traditional Saloon and Avant (estate) body styles, the new compact executive from the Ingolstadt company is priced from £25,900 OTR.
The latest model is based on a new platform and is up to 120kg lighter than the car it replaces and Audi quotes efficiency gains of up to 21 per cent with selected models. At 0.23, the Saloon version also has the lowest drag coefficient figure in its class.

Buyers with an eye on frguality have a total of twelve TDI ultra models to choose from, with Saloon SE (£29,150) and Sport (£30,100) models emitting only 99g/km of CO2. Avant TDI Ultra cars are rated slightly higher at 104g/km. The 188bhp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine also uses a new combustion process to cut emissions to just 116g/km.

Standard equipment includes Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, three-zone climate control and seven-inch colour MMI monitor, with the digital Audi ‘virtual cockpit’ available as an option.

On sale: September 2015 CO2: 99-150g/km BIK: 17-25%

Vauxhall Astra
Released just after the Frankfurt motor show, the new seventh-generation Vauxhall Astra arrives in the UK in October. The UK company claims the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf challenger costs up to £2,200 less than its predecessor and improved powertrains and an average 130kg weight reduction mean emissions as low as 82g/km.

Built in the UK, the new Astra is available in five trim levels and is priced from £15,295 OTR. Buyers can choose a new turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder ecoFLEX model with Start/Stop and CO2 emissions of 96g/km from £15,995. The similarly-equipped diesel version which uses Vauxhall’s new ‘Whisper Diesel’ 1.6-litre 110bhp engine starts at £17,495 OTR. The Luton-based firm quotes 91.1mpg and (a provisional) 82g/km of CO2.

Design, Tech Line, Energy, SRi and Elite models make up the new Astra range, with Nav SRi and Elite trims for added choice. All models receive LED daytime running lights, and a seven-inch colour touchscreen. SRi and above models gain Vauxhall’s OnStar emergency assistance system.