YOUR VIEWS
Suzuki clarifications
In reply to the letter from ‘Streaky’ (6 April), I would like to explain and clarify the following points.
Firstly, limited sales of the Suzuki Jimny passenger car in the UK ceased in 2020. The 2021 launch of the Jimny Light Commercial Vehicle gave the opportunity to continue satisfying more private as well as business customers who are happy to own a two-seat model. With production for several regions globally sourced from one factory, UK demand remains above the available production capacity. The 1.5-litre engine is the most suitable for the Jimny, which is designed primarily to be highly capable for rural and off-road use.
Secondly, the newly developed Automated Manual Gearbox, or AGS, introduced for the Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid, enables the driver to enjoy both the direct driving experience of a manual gearbox and the shifting ease of an automatic transmission. Another key advantage is lower component weight versus a conventional torque-converter-type automatic. A further and relevant feature of the latest Suzuki hybrid system with AGS is the position of the motor-generator unit (MGU) on the output side of the transmission assembly. In doing this, output from the MGU is directly transmitted to the driveshafts to fill the torque gap during shifting and gives a smoother transition from the transmission.
Suzuki continues to develop technology with close reference to the needs of our customers, minimising CO2 emissions in use, and utilises the most suitable transmission for a particular model. Alun Parry
Head of PR, Suzuki GB
M240i beats Cayman
I enjoyed your test of the new BMW M240i Coupé against the Porsche 718 Cayman and Mercedesamg CLA 45 (‘Normal service has been resumed’, 30 March) and agree with your sentiments about the car.
I was surprised when it was announced with its subtle kidney
grilles and iconic B58 straight-six engine. I was fortunate to drive one very recently and have since placed an order for what will be one of the last old-school BMW coupés.
I did consider an entry-level Cayman, which on the face of it is a similar price. However, when it comes to options, a nicely specced M240i will cost less than £52,000, something of a bargain compared with its peers. To get the Cayman to a level that does it justice (and makes it resellable) takes it way north of £60,000, which is a big difference however you choose to fund it.
Porsche’s servicing costs are considerably higher than BMW’S, too – another big consideration. Andrew Montague
Via email
What are they thinking?
Once more, I find myself completely agreeing with Matt Prior; we could be brothers. I too struggle to understand why car manufacturers worked for years perfecting cockpit ergonomics and driver-focused controls only to abandon all that (mostly) good practice in the face of short-term fashion (Tester’s Notes, 30 March).
How can it be sensible for it to be illegal (if barely enforceable) to use a phone while driving but perfectly acceptable to be engrossed in screenbased controls while trying to find simple functions that until recently were easy and quick to find and use?
Design cul-de-sacs have always come and gone, but we seem to be enjoying more than usual at present.
At a time of fuel and energy-supply disruption, we find more than 40% of new cars sold are big and heavy SUVS; and despite a much greater emphasis on safety, makers seem to encourage ever greater distraction. Simon Marsh
Via email
Feel your way around
I can only agree with Matt Prior’s view that cars with distracting screens and few knobs, requiring the driver’s eyes to be taken off the road, are dangerous. When I studied mechanical engineering in the 1960s, we were given the example of the recently introduced Rover 2000, in which every dashboard knob was a different shape, so the driver could tell any by feel and not have to look for it. Murray Meyer
Via email
Ignored by Ineos
I thought Ineos might be different to other car manufacturers, but it seems not. I paid a deposit as soon as the Grenadier was announced and got an acknowledgement, but I’ve since emailed the company on four occasions without any reply. I’m only asking when we can see one and where my local service centre will be. Not too much to ask, I thought. Kim
Brookhouse, South Yorkshire