Description

March is the first of the two registration plate changes in the UK, and in this month’s issue of DieselCar & EcoCar magazine we focus on the best 18-plate deals, not only for the top ten best sellers, but also hybrid, electric and sub-100g/km petrol cars, too. We also examine whether buyers would be better off choosing a pre-registered car and opting for a fancy private plate. Read our verdict on the smart way of saving cash on your next new car.

And it’s back to basics as we tell you all about the technology under the bonnet of your car. If you don’t know your DPF from your SCR, or think AdBlue is a mucky advertisement, then this month’s issue really is for you. Read all about what differentiates diesel from other powerplants in our handy Bluffer’s guide to diesel technology.

This month’s cover car was a mystery for a while, but we can exclusively reveal the new Kia Ceed. DieselCar & EcoCar magazine is the first printed title in the world to feature the car, with all of the details on the brand new vehicle. We’ve got the first information on the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class, details of the facelifted BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer and get a first glimpse of the facelifted Ford Edge and new SsangYong Musso pick-up truck. That is in addition to a whole host of other news, including a report from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Our testers have finally got behind the wheel of the new Civic diesel, and it’s an absolute cracker, and driven the second-generation Nissan Leaf. We also test the DS 7 Crossback on UK roads, as well as the SEAT Arona, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. We’ve also tested the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer with the entry-level 109bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine. This month’s twin test features a pair of sporting diesels new to the premium SUV market, with Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio taking on the Range Rover Velar. With £20k difference in the list prices, which one is victorious? Will it be a win for the Italian fans, or will the Brit-built car be lifting the silverware?

We welcome Kia’s Stonic to the long-term test fleet this month, but wave goodbye to the Mitsubishi ASX. We also have the regulars like Marketplace, Doctor Diesel, Legal i, The Extra Mile, Buying, selling and maintaining, and the most up-to-date car data section in the business, featuring every new diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric car on the market, as well as all the sub-100g/km petrol engine models.

Tested:

• Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 Q4 AWD Milano Edizone
• DS 7 Ultra Prestige BlueHDi 180 Automatic
• Honda Civic SR 1.6 i-DTEC
• Mercedes-Benz E 220 d AMG Line Cabriolet Automatic
• Nissan Leaf Tekna
• Range Rover Velar D240 HSE Automatic
• SEAT Arona SE Technology 1.6 TDI
• Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer SRi Nav 1.6 Turbo D ecoTEC (109bhp)
• Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace SEL 2.0 BiTDI 4MOTION Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Audi A5 Sportback S line 2.0 TDI ultra Automatic
• Citroen C3 Flair BlueHDi 100
• Ford Kuga Vignale 2.0 TDCi AWD Automatic
• Kia Stonic First Edition 1.6 CRDi
• Mazda CX-5 Sport Nav 2.2 AWD
• MINI Countryman Cooper D
• Mitsubishi ASX 4 1.6 DI-D 4WD
• Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta dCi 110
• Peugeot 3008 Allure BlueHDi 120
• Renault Scenic Dynamique S dCi 130
• SEAT Leon ST SE Dynamic Technology 1.6 TDI DSG Automatic
• Skoda Octavia SE L 2.0 TDI

Features:

• 18-plate new registration guide
• Bluffer’s guide to diesel technology

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Citroen C4 BlueHDi (2015-2018)

Regulars

• News and views
• Marketplace
• Legal i
• Doctor Diesel
• The Extra Mile
• Product Inspector
• Buying, Selling and Maintaining
• Modern Motoring Questions
• Eco Car Bright Spark