Launching the new CX-60 to the press here ahead of its autumn arrival, Mazda UK’s MD Jeremy Thomson described it as heralding “the start of a new chapter for Mazda . . . our first car with a plug-in hybrid powertrain . . . sets new standards for interior quality, design and technology —highlighting Mazda’s uniquely Japanese premium
brand direction”.

So, it’s important. It ventures into the European premium larger car class (a seven-seat variant CX-80 comes before long) where quality and pace-setting
technology are a given.

This initial petrol 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, all-wheel drive (AWD) model will be joined next year by 3.0-litre in-line six petrol and 3.3-litre diesel variants. Both again based on a classic rear wheel drive layout but this time with AWD as an option rather than standard fit.
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Kia launched the first generation Sportage in 1993. A successor arrived in 2004 and
key third generation model in 2010. This third-generation car changed both the image of the vehicle itself and public perception of the company.

The man responsible was Peter Schreyer. One of Audi’s (subsequently VW’s) top designers he is most notably linked to the Audi TT coupe. He’d been responsible too for a number of remarkable concept cars shown at motor shows around the world.

In 2006 Schreyer received an offer from Euisun Chung, then head of the Kia brand,
to become Chief Design Officer at the company. The brief was to transform design at
Kia and make it world class. Hitherto, the cars had been decent enough but bland.
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SsangYong launched the Rexton in 2001 and the current — much improved — second
generation model came in 2017.

A mid-lifecycle refresh for the 2021 model year ushered in a number of useful revisions bringing improved performance, refinement and equipment levels. A stand-out ‘facelift’ made the point.
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'SUV' is the generic term now for anything that aspires to look the part. ‘Crossovers’, which are little more than jacked-up hatch-backs, vie for the description even if a basic four-wheel-drive (4x4) system is not even an option. On the other hand, there are some impressive 4x4 SUVs which cope well with the odd venture off-road and make good towing vehicles.

The new D-Max reached dealerships at the end of March, due to Covid, before the UK press introduction could be held. It also coincided with a major market upheaval.

Mitsubishi had announced a withdrawal from Europe but then Nissan said it would not bring the new Navara here post closure of its Barcelona plant. Projected sales could not justify the expense of meeting increasingly onerous EU legislation.
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Current L200 and Navara will stay on sale while stocks last - L200 until the Autumn, say. Stocks of Barcelona Navaras will last a little longer (Spring 2022 perhaps). Now only four are left standing: Ford Ranger; Toyota Hilux; D-Max; SsangYong Musso.

It’s almost 50 years since BMW’s then advertising agency in the USA coined the phrase: 'The Ultimate Driving Machine'. There are not many 1975 strap-lines still in use. How does a plug-In hybrid estate car then, 4WD notwithstanding, measure up?

BMW rationalised its line-up in the 1960s into a range of 2 and 4-door saloons and coupes. These 1500, 1600, 1800 and 2000 models led to the ‘executive’ size 5 Series, compact upper mid-size 3-Series and large 7-Series of the 70s. The ‘sports saloon’ had arrived and that ‘strapline’ summed it up.
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The first ‘Touring’ in 1968 was a three-door hatch but the 1988 Touring was different. A distinct estate version of the 3 Series it had sleek looks, performance and enough practicality to attract a strong following. BMW now had a ‘sports estate’ too.

Next year will mark a half-century for the Hilux here. Now the eighth edition of Toyota’s
pivotal pick-up has been given a ‘mid-life’ revamp.

A 10 or 11-year production run has been the norm hitherto — seventh generation came in 2005 and current eighth in 2016.

But much goes on during each product cycle. A new 2.5 D-4D 120 engine arrived in
2006 and a 3.0 D-4D 170 unit added in 2007. A limited-run 200ps version appeared
in 2008 and a revised 2.5 D-4D the following year.

Interiors grew more comfortable and equipment levels improved: touch-screen connectivity, rear-view camera, etc. Edition 8 debuted with Toyota’s new ‘Global Diesel’ 2.4 litre engine. A taller and wider vehicle, off-road capability was also enhanced. Variants such as “nvincible X and Limited Edition were introduced in 2018, and active safety features in 2019.