A brace of new trim levels are added to the MiTo Alfa range.

• Two new models added to the Alfa Romeo MiTo range in 2015
• Progression is the new entry-level specification, featuring air conditioning, alloy wheels and Uconnect™ touchscreen infotainment system as standard
• EU6-compliant 78hp 1.4-litre petrol engine reintroduced with Start&Stop
• New Junior model evokes spirit of the widely-revered 1966 original and is available either with a 0.9-litre TwinAir 105hp turbo petrol engine or a 1.3-litre JTDM-2 85hp turbo-diesel
• Both models are on sale now, with prices starting at £12,760 OTR for the Alfa Romeo MiTo Progression 1.4 78hp and £14,870 OTR for the Alfa Romeo Junior TwinAir 0.9 105hp

Building on the comprehensive revisions made to the Alfa Romeo MiTo in 2014, when it received a revamped interior with a standard five-inch touchscreen infotainment system (plus TomTom satellite navigation on certain models), subtle exterior upgrades, more engine options and a higher level of standard equipment. 

The 2015 range has been further enhanced with two new trim levels: the new MiTo “Progression” makes the dream of owning a new Alfa Romeo more attainable than ever thanks to its low on-the-road price of £12,670, while the sporty new “Junior” recalls the legacy of the 1966 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior – an illustrious predecessor which made Alfa Romeo’s legendary style and driving pleasure available to a younger audience by offering big performance from a small-capacity engine.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Progression

It may be the new entry point into the Alfa Romeo range, but the MiTo Progression comes equipped with the high levels of features expected of a premium hatchback including air conditioning; a leather steering wheel and gear shifter and Alfa Romeo’s Uconnect™ five-inch colour touch screen infotainment system with Bluetooth®; voice recognition; USB / auxiliary inputs and steering wheel remote controls. In terms of safety. 

The MiTo Progression is equipped with Vehicle Dynamic Control (stability, braking and traction control with hill-holder), TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring) and seven airbags, while its undeniable visual appeal is further enhanced with 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and titanium grey headlight and rear light surrounds.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo Progression is offered with a choice of engines including the insurance-friendly 78hp 1.4-litre engine, which is reintroduced with Start&Stop and EU6 certification resulting in an official combined fuel economy figure of 50.4 MPG and CO₂ emissions of 130g/km. The official 0-60 MPH for the 1.4 78hp engine is 13.0 seconds and its top speed is 103 MPH. 

The award-winning 0.9-litre TwinAir 105hp turbo petrol engine (67.3 MPG / 99g/km) and 1.3-litre JTDM-2 85hp turbo-diesel (80.7 MPG / 90g/km) engines are also available with the Progression trim level, priced from £13,770 OTR and £14,315 OTR respectively.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior

The new Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior aims to broaden the appeal of the MiTo range still further by offering stylish but attention-grabbing looks within an affordable and insurable package. It builds on the high specification of the MiTo Progression but adds 17-inch alloy wheels with a brilliant white finish as well as matching door mirror caps and distinctive new “Junior” boot decal, also finished in white. 

Other enhancements include front fog lights; a sports rear bumper and satin-effect door handles with matching headlamp and tail-lamp surrounds, while the interior benefits from special Junior upholstery, Junior floor mats and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with contrasting stitching.

Under the bonnet, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior is powered by the 0.9-litre TwinAir 105hp turbo petrol engine (0-60MPH in 11.4 seconds / 114 MPH) and 1.3-litre JTDM-2 85hp turbo-diesel (0-60MPH in 12.9 seconds / 108 MPH) and is priced from £14,870 OTR and £15,415 OTR respectively.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior was inspired by the stunning Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior from 1966 which combined the gorgeous looks of the Giugiaro-styled 105/115 Series coupe with a small-capacity version of the legendary all-alloy Alfa Romeo Twin-Cam engine. 

Developed with Italian taxation in mind (which penalised larger engines), the Junior GT 1300 amassed 91,000 sales (accounting for 69 percent of all 105/115 Series built) and has become very collectable in its own right thanks to its purity and character, as well as the larger number of enthusiasts whose earliest Alfa Romeo memories are of that very car.

This year is the centenary of when A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) came under the direction of entrepreneur Nicola Romeo who, following the end of World War 1, eventually changed the name of the company to Alfa Romeo and ushered in an era of extraordinary technological advances and competition successes for the brand which remain an integral part of its identity to this day.

JEEP® introduces the New 'Trail-Rated' Cherokee Trailhawk to the UK.

Jeep is enhancing the popular Cherokee range with the introduction to the UK of the first ‘Trail Rated’ version, the Trailhawk.

The most capable Jeep Cherokee model available, and the most accomplished mid-size SUV in the segment, the 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk comes with a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Fully off-road capable, the Trailhawk is fitted with a low-range transmission including Jeep’s Selec-Terrain with Rock mode.

The 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the standard off-road package is Trail Rated. Its ‘Trail Rated’ badge indicates that the vehicle is designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation and water fording.

Venturing off the beaten track is no problem for the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Its Active Drive Lock 4x4 system features a rear lock which keeps both wheels spinning at the same speed for enhanced traction on any surface, and is particularly useful when rock crawling. The car also features Selec-Speed control, which allows it to drive up or down demanding hills at controlled, steady speeds in complete confidence and safety.

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk exemplifies all this 4x4 capability with a distinctive, no-nonsense look, backed up by Jeep Trail Rated equipment. It includes, as standard equipment, aggressive approach and departure angles with unique front and rear fascias, a one-inch factory lift, fuel tank, front suspension and transmission skid plates and signature red tow hooks. The car has an approach angle of 29.8 degrees, a departure angle of 32.1 degrees and break-over angle of 22.9 degrees. Running ground clearance is 22.1cm (8.7 in).

Other excellent features to make owning the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk a pleasure include deep tinted sunscreen glass, a unique black bonnet sticker (from March), coloured grille surrounds and roof rails, off-road wheel flares and 17-inch aluminium wheels.

Inside the standard equipment continues with Nappa Leather trim, red interior stitching accents, all-season floor mats, a cargo net, Uconnect™ media centre with 8.4-inch touch screen display and USB remote port.

Powered by a 3239cc, 24-valve V6 petrol engine delivering 268bhp and 315Nm of torque at 4300rpm, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk costs £34,245 (OTR) – available on Jeep’s special order programme. A host of options includes special paints, Uconnect™-Navigation, wireless charging pad for mobile phone, Park Assist and full sunroof (powered front, fixed rear).

“It’s the ultimate Jeep Cherokee in terms of off-road capability,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK. 

“And coupled with that powerful V6 engine, nine-speed auto box, a huge list of standard equipment and style touches, and all the versatility of a full-size family car, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk offers outstanding value for money – and a great drive too.”

New FIAT 500X crossover available to order now in exclusive Opening Edition specification

• New FIAT 500X crossover available to order now in exclusive Opening Edition specification
• Only 500 examples of the specially-badged FIAT 500X Opening Edition will be offered to UK customers
• Available in “City Look” or “Off-Road Look” bodystyles, the FIAT 500X Opening Edition offers up to £2,850 worth of additional equipment at no extra cost
• Available to order now, FIAT 500X Opening Edition owners can expect delivery in May 2015

The order books for the new FIAT 500X “Opening Edition” are now open! Only 500 examples of the new special series will be available in the UK, offering customers the chance to not only be one of the first to own FIAT’s stylish new crossover, but also to benefit from a host of additional equipment at zero extra cost.

Both flavours of the FIAT 500X are available: 325 examples of the elegant 4X2 “City Look” version and 175 examples of the rugged AWD “Off-RoTad Look” model will be offered in total. 

The 4X2 version is based on the Pop Star trim level, which usually comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels; body-coloured bumpers; cruise control; front fog lights with cornering illumination; automatic climate control; rear parking sensors; “Drive Mood” selector and the five-inch Uconnect™ infotainment system with Bluetooth as standard. 

However, in Opening Edition guise it is enhanced with special “Art Grey” pastel paint; 18-inch alloy wheels; the Safety Pack (Lane Assist; Blind Spot Assist; ParkView reversing camera and "Brake Control" collision mitigation system); the Comfort Pack (Keyless Entry & Keyless Go; front armrest and electric lumbar adjustment on the front seats); tinted rear windows and an “Opening Edition” badge – all as standard.

Powered by the 1.4 MultiAir II 140hp, the FIAT 500X 4X2 Opening Edition is priced from £17,595 – the same price as the equivalent Pop Star – but with a substantial £1,725 worth of extra equipment at no extra cost.

The AWD version is powered by the 2.0 MultiJet II 140hp engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission as standard, and is available only in tri-coat “Amore Red”. Like the 4X2 version, it includes a long list of extra equipment including a black leather interior with red inserts; Visibility Pack (rain and light sensors, power folding door mirrors, electro-chromic rear view mirror), steering wheel paddle shifters and, again, an Opening Edition badge. 

This is in addition to the HID headlamps; adjustable cargo floor; front floor mats; 18-inch alloy wheels; 3.5-inch TFT colour display and 6.5-inch Uconnect™ infotainment system with 3D satellite navigation which are already standard on the top-of-the-range Cross Plus model.

Priced from £25,845, the range-topping FIAT 500X Cross Plus Opening Edition offers an impressive £2,850 worth of additional features at no cost to the customer.

The FIAT 500X Opening Edition is available to order now in participating FIAT dealerships with first models expected to be delivered in May 2015.