Dacia prepares for its UK market D-Day

Saab Parts UK is confident that the hand-finished final car s will find loving homes. 'These cars will carry a sentimental value for Saab fans around the UK, and are the last and best equipped examples of Saab’s Convertible lineage,' it said in a statement. The company estimates there are perhaps 90 new Saabs in total still remaining unsold at dealers around the UK. Drivers will be presented with a couple of details you won't see in a normal VW Beetle. For starters, there's a power reserve meter, a bit like in the Rolls Phantom, showing how deep you're digging into the E-Bugster's power reserves. A separate dial congratulates you for harnessing energy wasted during deceleration. The concept car uses the new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, turbocharged to produce 208bhp. In production, this car would be badged CLA250. But it's not front-wheel drive; the MFA architecture can be equipped with four-wheel drive, and this show car has 4Matic and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. With a 5090mm overall length, 1900mm width, 1490mm height and 3045mm wheelbase, the K9 is close to a standard-wheelbase Jaguar XJ in size. Funnily enough it's the same wheelbase as the Hyundai Equus, and the K9 shares its underpinnings with Hyundai's largest saloon. Peugeot has also switched the power steering from the electric unit found in the standard road car to a hydraulic set-up with a faster rack. Brakes and running gear are designed to be converted easily from tarmac to gravel surface specification. Power will be sent to the road through either a six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic; BMW's pricey dual-clutch transmission will only be available on the 235i and the forthcoming M car s.