Geneva 2012: Vauxhall

Star of the busy Vauxhall stand was the new Mokka compact 4x4. The Astra VXR and the Insignia Biturbo were also jostling for headlines too.

Parkers Pick – Mokka

• What is it? It’s a compact 4x4 designed to take on the likes of the Ford Kuga and Skoda Yeti.        
• Vital stats and facts: It can be specified with all-wheel drive and power is provided by a choice of three efficient engines, all with fuel-saving start/stop. The petrols comprise a 114bhp 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine and a 138bhp 1.4-litre Turbo. The diesel is a 129bhp 1.7 CDTI turbo. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined either with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. 
• Why would you buy it? You’re the sort of person who’d be looking at a Ford Kuga or Skoda Yeti and you want something a bit tough-looking, affordable, that’ll be big enough for a family of four and that’ll be capable of negotiating country tracks. If you can put up with the stupid name (‘I’ll have a Mokka please, but no chocolate dusting’) then this is the one for you.
• Why wouldn’t you? Vauxhall hasn’t been that successful with 4x4s – the Antara isn’t particularly wonderful and the Frontera (remember that?) wasn’t much better either. The Kuga and Yeti are both impressive so you might just want to stick with them.
• Prices and launch date: Pricewise, it’ll be competitive when compared to the Yeti and Kuga. You’ll probably be able to negotiate discounts too. It’ll be in Vauxhall dealerships at the end of 2012.

What else is on the stand?

There’s plenty for you to gawp at: the RAD e e-bike concept, the 276bhp Astra VXR , which is the most powerful Astra in the model’s 32-year history, and the Insignia Biturbo. Click here to read sister title Car Magazine’s full story on the Astra VXR. 

For more news from the Geneva Motor Show 2012, click here.