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Jeep Cherokee now on sale – UK Jeep sales set to double

The new Jeep Cherokee (above) is now on sale in the UK Jeep may have the sort of SUV, off-road credibility as Land Rover, but they’ve failed miserably to make the most of that in recent years, particularly on this side of the Pond. But things are changing for Jeep, and the arrival of the new Jeep Cherokee – with it’s contentious, but individual, looks – promises to give Jeep a real shot in the arm in its quest to rebuild sales in the UK. With a choice of two diesel engines – 140 hp and 170 hp versions of the 2.0 litre diesel – a choice of four trim levels - Longitude, Longitude+, Limited and Trailhawk – and a 3.2 litre petrol engine for the hardcore Trailhawk version (available from the end of 2014), Jeep has a strong offering.

Audi SQ5 costs £43,870 in UK

The diesel Audi ‘RS’ Q5 – the Audi SQ5 – with 309bhp and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, will cost £43,870 when it arrives in the UK in spring 2013. That means Audi’s 3.0 litre V6 BiTurbo TDI with a healthy 309bhp and 479lb/ft of torque, enough to deliver the SQ5 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 155mph and deliver an official economy figure (although you’ll never get it) of over 40mpg. The power goes through an eight-speed tiptronic ‘box to all four wheels and you get a sound actuator in the exhaust to give you a non-diesely roar. Audi has also dropped the suspension on the SQ5 by 30mm compared to the regular Q5 S Line for a more sporty manner, and if you opt for Audi’s Drive Select Adaptive Dynamics you’ll also get  Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency modes (and an Individual mode too if you opt for HDD SatNav as well) which alter the steering, transmission, throttle and even the exhaust actuator to suit.

Toyota uses cash offers in bid to get rolling

Coming off a sharp sales decline in December, Toyota Division is trying to lure buyers into showrooms with new cash offers for customers and dealers. Even the Prius is getting support, after having been excluded from the brand's lavish incentive program in the last quarter of 2008. Toyota put $750 in dealer cash on the hood of the hybrid car.