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CAP Blog > CAP Blog > Martin's Blog
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Author: |
Martin Ward |
Created: |
Friday, March 07, 2008 |
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Welcome to Martin's Blog |
By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
This week’s manufacturer news
FIAT – Has announced that the 500,000th 500 model has been produced this week. It is currently on sale in 83 different countries around the world.
 FORD – Has announced the introduction of the limited edition Focus RS500. The RS500 has an increased power output of 350ps, in comparison to the standard RS which is 305ps. Production numbers are limited to 500 vehicles, with 101 being allocated to the UK. The RS500 will make its debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show.
LEXUS – Has announced that the LFA supercar is now available with a Nurburgring package. It has been introduced in celebration of the LFA’s entry into the Nurburgring 24 hour race and is aimed at track driving enthusiasts. Enhancements include an increased power output to from 552bhp to 562bhp and sports...
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
This week’s manufacturer news
 MITSUBISHI – Has announced pricing for the all-electric i-MiEV. It is priced at £38,699, less the government’s allowance of £5,000, making it £33,699 including VAT. First deliveries in the UK are expected in January 2011.
SEAT – Has announced a limited edition Ibiza model: the Ibiza SC ‘Goodstuff.’ The Goodstuff is based on the 1.4 85ps SE three door but has additional equipment including 16” alloy wheels, climate control, TomTom satellite navigation with cradle and dock, iPod Nano 8GB, Nokia hands free Bluetooth connection and external Goodstuff badging. The Goodstuff celebrates the partnership between Seat and pop star Shakira, and the title comes from Shakira’s forthcoming European tour which Seat are sponsoring. The Goodstuff is priced at £11,995 on the road. ...
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This week’s manufacturer news
 FIAT – Has announced the introduction of the 500C Pink special edition. The 500 Pink hatchback was launched in January this year, with 500 units available to the UK. Just 300 units will be offered to the UK for the 500C Pink. Based on the 500 1.2 Pop, standard features include: special pink paint, 16” alloy wheels, leather steering wheel/gear knob and Blue&Me infotainment. The 500C Pink starts at £13,500 on the road.
First driving impressions – Mercedes-Benz E Class cabriolet, international press event, Majorca
 You would have thought that Majorca in early March would be the perfect place to hold the launch and first...
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
This week’s manufacturer news
FORD – Has announced that it intends to introduce five new vehicles with either hybrid or full-electric drive to Europe by 2013 as part of its global electric vehicles plan. A Transit Connect electric will be the first vehicle to be introduced, launching in 2011, followed by a Focus electric in 2012. Two hybrid-electric models and a plug-in hybrid-electric model will follow in 2013.
LUXGEN – Established in 2008, Luxgen are the first automobile brand from Taiwan. Having successfully completed its international debut at the 2009 Dubai Motor Show, the brand is set to introduce vehicles that are programmed to ‘think ahead’ for the consumer, using IT technology to create a new generation of intelligent vehicles. The cars will feature a state-of-the-art on-board computer called ‘think+’, which for the first time ever, combines HTC’s Smart Technology with Windows CE Automotive Interface to pre-empt road conditions and potential hazards. Luxgen intend to target...
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By Martin Ward on
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Geneva Motor Show report
The Geneva Motor Show, which is always held at the beginning of March every year, is quickly becoming the show to introduce new models to the public and this year there seems to have been more world premieres than ever before. Geneva though is still a bit ‘old-school’ when it comes to glamour and putting on a show for the audience. There was hardly a stand where the girls were not present, all dressed up and mostly looking stunning, but this is a car show, not a fashion show. However, the halls are fairly small so the venue is easy and quick to get around in; you are never more than ten minutes walk away from any exhibitor’s display, unlike some shows where you can walk and walk and walk all day.
Here are some of the highlights of the show, featuring all the new models that made their debut appearance:
 ALFA...
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
This week’s manufacturer news
 AUDI – Has released details on the RS5 coupe. It opens for ordering in spring, with first deliveries due in October. The RS5 coupe is powered by a 4.2 litre V8 turbo petrol engine that produces 450ps, goes from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph. Fuel consumption is 26.2mpg on the combined cycle. Prices are expected to start at around £58,000.
 CITROEN – Has announced that a limited edition DS3 Racing model is scheduled to be introduced. The DS3 Racing is powered by a 1.6 litre THP petrol engine that produces 200hp. It will be finished in a special workshop by Citroen Racing.
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
This week's manufacturer news - 17th February 2010
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Nissan chose Paris to unveil the new Juke for the first time to the world’s press. The venue was ONERA, the French National Aerospace Research Centre, and we all had to have approval from the French authorities beforehand to enable us to get in. We all had our passports taken from us before going in and then had them given back on the way out. It was all very bizarre; it was not as though we saw or were likely to see any secrets planes, missiles or any highly confidential material. We asked why the launch was held here and not at their HQ, or better still in Sunderland where it is going to be built. We were told that ONERA provided a suitably dramatic backdrop for the presentation of the Juke. When the curtains went back, the Juke was in a very large wind-tunnel and that was it. No national secrets anywhere to be seen, just a wind-tunnel, so we gave in our passports and had to get defence clearance just to see a large round bit of concrete and five large fans. Very odd.
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The TDIe is the green version in the A4 range; however, the other TDI models without the ‘e’ are not too bad in the scheme of things. The TDIe SE is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine that produces 136ps and costs £25,225 on the road. The non-‘e’ models are priced at £24,610 for the 120ps SE and £25,310 for the 143ps SE.
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By Martin Ward on
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
This week's manufacturer news - 10th February 2010
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