• Toyota has unveiled the New GR Yaris this week. Making its debut at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, the new GR Yaris boasts significant enhancements for Toyota’s motorsport-bred high-performance hatchback.

    At launch, the GR Yaris’ turbocharged engine had the distinction of being the world’s most powerful three-cylinder production unit. Now it offers even more: power has been increased by 20hp and the driver can call on an additional 30Nm of torque; maximum figures have risen to 280hp and 390Nm.

    For the first time, the GR Yaris will also be available as an automatic, with a new option for an eight-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission option with competition-standard rapid shifting.

    The new GR Yaris offers everything that made the original such a success, but more so. As a result, it promises to set itself even further ahead of the competition.

    A more focused range will offer a single version in “Circuit” specification, with a cooling performance pack that includes an additional radiator, intercooler spray and modified air intake.
     
  • The new GR Yaris will be available in the UK and across Europe from Summer 2024. Details of UK specifications and pricing will be announced at a later date.

    Order books open for new Volkswagen Tiguan.

    Now in its third-generation, the Tiguan is Volkswagen’s biggest-selling model globally and now has a new look, taking design cues from other recent Volkswagen models.

    The new Tiguan has a cleanly designed digital cockpit based on the fourth-generation (MIB4) modular infotainment matrix. It includes a 12.9-inch central display and brings a plethora of digital services and apps on board, along with a new and more intuitive system menu and operating concept. A larger 15-inch screen is also available as an option.

    The new Tiguan is available in four trims: Tiguan, Life, Elegance and R-Line.

    Customers can choose from a range of smooth and efficient powertrains. Two mild petrol hybrids (a first for Tiguan, 130 and 150 PS) and one turbocharged 2.0 TDI diesel engine (150 PS) are available to order now; these will be joined in the spring by two plug-in eHybrid models (204 and 272 PS), plus two turbocharged 2.0 TSI petrol engines (204 and 265 PS) towards the end of 2024.

    The eHybrids extend the pure-electric range to about 100 km (62 miles), making the new Tiguan an all-electric car for the vast majority of UK road trips. The mild hybrids use Active Cylinder Management (ACTplus) to deactivate the 1.5 TSI evo2 engine, when conditions allow, for emissions-free coasting.

    An automatic direct-shift gearbox (DSG) comes as standard on all models, and 4MOTION all-wheel drive will be available as standard on the 204 and 265 PS petrol engines when they arrive.

    Available to order now, the new Volkswagen Tiguan starts from £34,060 OTR.