VAUXHALL has dropped the Isuzu 2.8 litre direct injection from its Frontera engine range and switched to an all new Italian-built 2.5 litre turbo diesel from VM Motori. Sales of the new vehicle start at the end of September with prices coming nearer the time.

Acceleration figures include 0-60mph in 14.8 seconds for the Sport and 15.5 seconds for the Estate. Sports and Estates can run between 25 and 62mph in fourth gear in less than 18 seconds and the Sport has a top speed of 97mph. In economy terms, the 2.5TDS Estate returns 24.6mpg in the urban mode, 33.2mpg at 56mph and 22.8mpg at 75mph. The mix figure is 26.1mpg. The old Isuzu engine was more economical, offering comparative fuel figures of 28.8mpg, 38.2mpg and 25.7mpg in the three modes.

The 2.0 and 2.2 litre petrol engines now feature electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation to reduce NOX. The 2.2 litre petrol engine's secondary air-injection reduces CO and HC emissions by up to 40% in the first 60 to 80 seconds after start up.