Graham King takes a look at some stories we missed this week
For reasons I can't work out, quite a lot of special/limited edition cars were launched this week. But are any of them worth your time? Let's have a look...
Jaguar XK Dynamic & XKR Dynamic R
The rather old but still quite lovely XK has had a bit of Botox to keep it fresh. The Signature is based on the standard 379bhp, 5.0-litre V8-powered XK and features more luxurious interior trim than standard and the mack-daddy infotainment system incorporating a new reversing camera. The 502bhp XKR-based Dynamic R adds the Black Dynamic Pack (essentially the XKR-S's suspension), Speed Pack (174mph top speed limiter), the Aerodynamic Pack (self-explanatory) and a Performance Active Exhaust. Plus a sportier interior and the mack-daddy infotainment. Both get 20in wheels. The Signature costs £54,950, the Dynamic R £69,950. So quite a lot less than if you added the options individually. Deliveries start in March. Worth it? Yep.
SEAT Mii by MANGO
For those that don't know, MANGO is a Spanish fashion house that has teamed up with SEAT to create this one. For your unspecified amount of money, you get some MANGO-specific exterior trim and badging, those 15in alloys, and the 'Nude' colour pictured (Deep Black also available). Interior add-ons include leather steering and gear knob, alcantara seats with the car's name stitched into them and a handbag hook. The first 1000 sold will also come with a MANGO umbrella, handbag and a currently unknown something designed in an online competition. Deliveries start in July. Worth it? Fashion avids only.
Fiat Panda 4x4 Antarctica
This celebrates 30 years and half-a-million sales of Fiat's go-anywhere city car. The 300-off model is only available in white with a black roof and comes with orange trim details inside and out, and that rather large image of a reclining penguin on the side. 15in alloys and rear privacy glass are added to the 4x4's already generous (for a Panda) kit list. Choose from TwinAir petrol or MultiJet diesel engines. Deliveries start in March with prices from £14,895. Worth it? The Panda 4x4 already has a sense of humour and this adds more giggles for only another couple of hundred quid, so why not.
Kia Picanto, Rio & Cee'd VR7
The VR7 package adds the same trinkets to the Picanto, Rio and Cee'd: alloy wheels, parking sensors, electric heated door mirrors and electric windows, air-conditioning, Bluetooth and USB ports. You can have it on 1.0-litre Picantos, 1.25 petrol and 1.1CRDi diesel Rios and 1.4 petrol and 1.4CRDi diesel Cee'ds. Available now. Worth it? Well, they add some appeal to competent if unappealing base-model cars. If you're buying with your own money and want maximum value, you could do worse.
Audi Q7 S-Line Style S-Line Sport
Both Style and Sport are based on the existing top-spec Q7 S-Line Plus so come with HDD nav, Audi's advanced parking assistance system, Verano leather upholstery, powered tailgate and Audi Music Interface. S-Line Style adds titanium-effect 21in alloys and ruggedised styling with stainless steel underbody protection, bigger wheelarches and new front bumper. The S-Line Sport (pictured) also gets titanium-effect 21in alloys and borrows its bulging wheelarches and gigantic air intakes from the batshit-crazy Q7 V12 TDi. Both are available with V6 (245PS) or V8 diesels, starting from £52,975 (Style) and £54,475 (Sport). Worth it? If you really want a Q7, you may as well.
