RUMOUR HAS IT...
work of art — actually, every component is a work of art, which is why company founder Horacio Pagani describes his cars as a combination of art and science. We will bring you more information and an interview in next week’s issue. The refreshed Suzuki Celerio has arrived in SA. The updated version gets extensively revised styling to give it a slightly bolder look. The rear has also received more attention — the early model looked as though the designers knocked off early.
Inside there is now a two-tone treatment to the dashboard and trim. Equipment levels remain the same, as does the 55kW 1.0l engine. daytime running lights and revisions to many of the key design lines.
Inside, the 308 gets the i-Cockpit layout from other Peugeot models. It also gets the company’s latest touchscreen infotainment system which now also has Mirrorlink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The company has also introduced more safety and driver assistance systems, including an Advanced Breaking System (seriously Peugeot — did you not pick that up in your marketing meeting!).
The 308 has also shed up to 140kg which should translate into better performance and fuel consumption from the 96kW Puretech engine. technologies (DSRC, 3/4G mobile networks, Wi-Fi and fibre-optic networks), ensuring vehicles can always be connected to each other and to infrastructure.
Connecting cars to each other and their surroundings (known as V2X) is a vital step for safe, large-scale deployment of self-driving cars. The latest connected technology complements other vehicle sensors and extends a vehicle’s ability to “see” further down the road and “speak” to other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians and the network.
The system will work on both manual and autonomous driving and so will greatly improve road safety across levels of autonomy. With Audi launching its Q8 at the end of 2018 and BMW due to launch a new X6, it’s no surprise that Mercedes is working on the next generation of its GLE coupe.
The current model sits on a rather old platform, but when the new GLE coupe arrives in 2019 it will feature a new platform that it will share with the new GLE, also due in 2019. Expect a slightly more dynamic design for both models with smaller windows and a shorter rear overhang.