CR-V prices; revised 500X; Peugeot’s 1pc; ‘clean diesel’

THE new Honda CR-V hybrid arrives here early next year with prices from €39,500. The brand’s Hybrid Performance system has intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) technology (two electric motors, an Atkinson-cycle petrol engine and direct transmission). There will not be a diesel.

Fiat’s revised 500X crossover (above) has just gone on sale. It has a new exterior look and an updated cockpit. There are next-gen 3cyl and 4cyl turbo petrols, which are claimed to be more efficient. Standard spec includes traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist and lane assist. Also standard is an Uconnect 7in HD touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay integration and Android Auto compatibility. Prices start from €21,795.

Peugeot here says it is putting a pricefreeze on diesel versions of the 3008 SUV. In other words, they are absorbing the 1pc VRT surcharge that was announced in the Budget for all new 191-registered diesel cars. It means a saving of €370 for a 3008 Access 1.5 BlueHDi 130bhp model, for example.

Toyota’s Camry returns in early April with a 2.5-litre hybrid (218hp). Prices from €39,750. Meanwhile the RAV4 Hybrid, a January arrival, has a new 2.5 litre engine. Prices from €35,900.

The group would say it, of course, but new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) claims latest-generation diesel cars emit low pollutants. The data was measured in real-driving conditions. It showed all diesels introduced in the last year had NOx emissions “well below” the threshold of the real driving emissions (RDE) test, which has applied to all new-car types since September 2017. Just giving you the other side of the ‘diesel is dead’ saga.