Vauxhall is forging ahead with its tree-hugging, eco-friendly vehicle strategy. The firm has just launched a reborn version of theis similarly electrified. Vauxhall plans to sell it with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric powertrains – and it’ll become one of the first cars in the Stellantis group to ride on the new.
What’s that, we hear you ask? It’s a storage bin that’s been specially designed to hold a smartphone. It has a built-in wireless charger and a glass lid that Vauxhall says will ensure you never forget your device when you get out of the car. Neat idea, but a tenner says it doesn’t work. Never underestimate the power of human forgetfulness…
Note also how Vauxhall is cashing in on the newly relaxed rules meaning that badges and, ahem, insignia can now be illuminated for the full jazz-hands nighttime look . Mobile billboard, anyone? Thankfully, Vauxhall hasn’t fallen into the trap of shifting all the Grandland’s switchgear onto the touchscreen. Like the Astra, it retains a row of physical climate controls on the centre console. Plus, if you find all the data from the two screens rather overwhelming, Vauxhall has added a ‘Pure’ mode that pares back the info to just the essentials.