NISSAN is the latest manufacturer to flex its muscles in the crowded compact SUV sector. The company has announced full pricing and specifications for its all-new X-Trail.

Sleeker and more modern-looking than the outgoing model, the new X-Trail arrives in UK showrooms in July.

Stressing the current trend for innovation, Nissan said the new model would incorporate a suite of in-class technology firsts.

It also promised a “highly competitive and flexible pricing structure” which it said had been developed to ensure the latest model appeals in equal measure to both the loyal army of X-Trail devotees and new customers.

Prices will start from £22,995 for the entry-level five-seat 2WD Visia, which is £2,600 less than its predecessor. Meanwhile, the five-seat 2WD Acenta, expected to be the most popular model in the range, costs £24,795 – £800 less than the outgoing entry level Acenta.

From launch, the all-new X-Trail will be available in four familiar grades – Visia, Acenta, n-tec and Tekna. However, the manufacturer said it had not compromised on quality and the entire range featured premium materials throughout together with generous equipment levels.

The Visia models sport 17” alloy wheels and are given further kerb appeal with an eye-catching signature strip of LED daytime running lights.

Inside, the array of technological features includes Bluetooth connectivity and an MP3 compatible sound system with AUX-IN, air conditioning, heated door mirrors, follow-me-home lighting and an electric parking brake are also among the equipment included as standard.

The all-new information display features a 5in flat colour display screen incorporating 12 graphic displays showing average and actual speeds, navigation turn-by-turn instructions, audio content, traffic sign recognition, eco driving advice and torque distribution settings in 4WD mode.

Moving up through the range the Acenta, priced from £24,795, adds privacy glass, dual zone climate control, electric folding mirrors, a power sunroof, automatic lights and wipers and front and rear parking sensors to the lengthy equipment list.

Both the Visia and Acenta models come with the option of a Smart Vision Pack that adds many of the most desirable driver aids and safety enhancements in one convenient and affordable package.

Buyers choosing the n-tec, which starts at £27,295, get everything included on the Acenta with Smart Vision Pack plus a wealth of additional goodies including 19” alloys, intelligent i-Key locking with push-button ignition, DAB radio, roof rails, power tailgate, Around View Monitor giving 360-degree view around the car and the latest generation NissanConnect system with smartphone integration and built-in apps.

Meanwhile, the range-topping Tekna, which is priced from £29,295, adds more luxury and technology, including Bi-LED headlamps, heated leather seats and an electric driver’s seat with lumbar support. A number of additional safety features such as a Blind Spot Warning and Driver Attention Alert are also included, as is Nissan’s ingenious Park Assist automatic parking feature.

Beneath the bonnet Nissan’s 1.6dCi 131PS engine delivers 320 Nm of torque, with the promise of refinement on and off-road.

Acenta, n-tec and Tekna variants come in a choice of two and four-wheel-drive forms, and are available with Nissan’s XTRONIC CVT transmission. The 4WD variants gain the latest generation of the ALL MODE 4×4-i system.

In 2WD manual guise, the new X-Trail offers emissions of 129g/km CO2 and a claimed economy of up to 57.6 mpg (combined cycle).

For practicality, every variant is available with a choice of five or seven seats although that third row of seats adds £700 to the price of the five-seat equivalent.

Mercedes flagship shows its class with quartet of awards

THE Mercedes-Benz S-Class has won an unprecedented four awards at the Vehicle Dynamics International Awards, 2014.

The luxury flagship was nominated for the awards by both Vehicle Dynamics International magazine’s expert readership of chassis and dynamics professionals and by its editorial team. Between four and six shortlisted finalists in each category were then put to an international and independent judging panel of automotive journalists, each of whom voted for the outright winners. The judging panel was made up of 27 judges from 19 countries.

With the judging complete, the S-Class drove off with ‘Car of the Year’, its Magic Body Control won ‘Innovation of the Year’, Dr. Hermann Storp, who led the development of the S-Class, won ‘Dynamicist of the Year’, and the wider Mercedes-Benz Research and Development department won ‘Dynamics Team of the Year’.

Dr Storp said: “We are very proud of this recognition – I’m not sure any single brand has won so many awards in this category and it’s down to the hard work and dedication of my team for making it possible.

“When we were developing it, the S-Class aimed to set new benchmarks and be the best car we could possibly make – and dynamics play a big part in this. I’d like to thank the judges for their kind comments.”

The S-Class is the most diverse range within the Mercedes-Benz line-up – available with a choice of four-, six-, eight- or 12-cylinder engines, three Hybrids and two wheelbases. Likewise, it’s available with the most sophisticated array of comfort, dynamic and safety technologies fitted to any car.

In the UK, the S-Class remains the Number One luxury car in its market segment, with the new S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid arriving in showrooms this month. Equipped with a four-cylinder diesel engine and a 27 hp electric motor, Mercedes claims the S 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is capable of returning 61.4 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 120 g/km of CO2.

Rolling Stone’s Ferrari bound to give satisfaction

A 1972 Ferrari Dino 246GT, first owned by Rolling Stone Keith Richards, is to be sold at no reserve at Coys’ auction in Monaco on Friday (May 9).

The car was purchased new by the rock and roll legend in California in February 1972, shortly after the band completed their landmark Exile on Main Street album.

Already a connoisseur of fine cars by the time he took delivery of this car, Richards kept the Dino for 14 years until 1986, and in this time he covered over 25,000 miles. He brought it to the UK in 1975 where it was registered to his address in Munro Terrace in Chelsea and assigned the UK registration number GYL 157N.

Accompanying the car is a letter from the Rolling Stones’ manager Alan Dunn confirming Richards’ ownership and mileage up until April 1986. The car has since spent an extended period in a prestigious Japanese collection.

Chris Routledge, Managing Partner at Coys, said: “A Dino offered at no reserve is rare enough in itself and would make this is a highly desirable and collectible item in its own right, but when one adds to this proven long-term ownership by rock and roll aristocracy, the Keith Richards’s car has to be the ultimate Dino and will surely give any car collector and rock enthusiast a great ‘Satisfaction’!”

The sale will also feature a 1950 Cisitalia Abarth 204 A Spyder, driven by the legendary Italian motorcycle and race car driver Tazio Nuvolari on at least two occasions in 1950.