Subaru Forester

The updated Subaru Forester has recently been named as ‘Junior Crossover of the Year’ by the specialist off-roading magazine, Total 4×4. The Forester is now available with a choice of revised petrol and diesel Boxer engines, faced stiff competition from the likes of a Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki SX4 and Skoda Octavia Scout. 

However, thanks to its Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive configuration, car-like driving dynamics and exceptional practicality, the Total 4X4 magazine judges singled-out the Japanese crossover for the highest praise, saying: “Typically of Subaru, the Forester does very good things without making a fuss of it. The combination it offers of quality, value, practical usability and driving talent makes it very hard indeed to beat.

The 2.0-litre Boxer diesel Forester range, which returns an impressive 47.9 combined mpg, starts at £23,070 (on-the-road) for the entry-level 2.0D X, rising to £25,070 for the 2.0D XC, and £29,070 for the range-topping 2.0D XS NavPlus. If you prefer petrol power you have a choice of two models – the Forester 2.0X and 2.0XS, costing £21,370 and £25,370 respectively in manual guise.  Automatic versions are available at a £1,000 premium and Subaru contract hire prices are on the site now.

Skoda facelift

Skoda Auto has now released the pricing for the improved Fabia and Roomster models. The new look is evident in the new redesigned radiator grille and 3-D shaped headlamps which give both cars a new dynamic look.

Both cars benefit from a new range of engines which include four petrol units and two diesel units ranging from 60bhp to 105bhp. Both the Fabia and Roomster will be available on S, SE and Scout vehicle specifications while the Fabia line-up also gets an Elegance trim level as well. Skoda contract hire pricing will be loaded shortly.

Skoda Auto has released the first official pictures of the facelifted Octavia vRS and Octavia Scout. These facelifts will now bring the models into line with the current range and family face of Skoda.

New vRS features

Skoda Octavia vRS facelift

The facelift to vRS has a new grill with the vRS logo plus bold xenon headlamps,front fog lamps and LED lamps for daytime lighting. New rear lighting has also been re-designed and the car comes with 18-inch Neptune alloy wheels. The car has a new paint colour ( Anthracite) and a lowered sports-tuned chassis.

The car comes in two choices of engines (both EU5 standard), a 2.0T FSI 200bhp petrol engine offering a combined mpg of 37.7 and a Co2 figure of 175g/km or a 2.0 TDI CR 170bhp offering 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and a CO2 of 150g/km. The latter diesel car comes in under the new 160g/km tax threshold which came into force this month. Both versions come with a six-speed manual twin clutch DSG transmission.

Scout range highlights

The new Scout again has a new front grille, bold headlamps and body-coloured side mouldings. The front fog lights can  be fitted with the optional cornering function and Skoda has also added a new metallic paint colour to the range, called Rosso Brunello.

Skoda Scout

The Scout is available in two engines, the petrol 1.8 TSI 160 bhp (Euro 5) and diesel 2.0 TDI PD PDF (EU4).