By Martin Ward on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

JAGUAR – Has announced it will unveil an armoured version of the XJ called the Sentinel at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show. The Sentinel will feature a state-of-the-art armouring package, yet its appearance will be virtually identical to that of a standard XJ.

 

MITSUBISHI – Will reduce the launch price of the new electric i-MiEV from £38,699 to £28,990. The adjustment will apply to all models ordered in the UK from 1st January 2011 and coincides with the recent government announcement that an incentive of £5,000 will be offered to electric vehicle consumers. This means that minus the incentive, the i-MiEV will now be priced at £23,990.

 

PEUGEOT – Has announced the 3008 Hybrid4, the world’s first diesel hybrid vehicle. The Hybrid4 has a 2.0 litre HDI 163bhp diesel engine combined with an electric motor, which maintains a constant power output of 27bhp and a peak output of 37bhp. Peugeot expect the Hybrid4 to have a CO2 emissions...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

KIA – Will reveal an all new electric concept car at the Paris Motor show on 30th September. The model is called the ‘Pop’ and measures three metres in length.

 

 

Test car – Kia Sportage First Edition 2.0 litre CRDi



It is amazing to think that Kia produced their first car just 36 years ago and it’s even more unbelievable to think that the very ‘cheap and cheerful’ Kia Pride was being sold only ten years ago. Kia, along with its sister company Hyundai, has changed beyond all recognition in just a few years. These two companies, along with Skoda, have taught us to think differently about brands and their image.

 

The new Sportage could really have been given a new name, as it is nothing like the previous Sportage models. It is a total transformation and all for the better. It has increased 90mm in length and decreased in height by 60mm, which gives it a sleeker appearance and it seems more in proportion....

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

This week's manufacturer news

 

CHEVROLET – Has announced the forthcoming introduction of the Spark Woody special edition. The car has been created to coincide with the start of the annual Boardmasters Surf, Skate and Music Festival and celebrates the brand's American heritage. The design has been inspired by the old 'woody wagons' which were large estate cars that were based on mainstream models, but with timber framed bodywork. They were traditionally used in the USA by surfers in the late fifties/early sixties, as they were cheap and spacious enough to carry surfboards. The Spark Woody will feature at the Paris Motor Show next month, with pricing and specifications to be announced at a later date.

 

MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE – Has confirmed the location for its new McLaren London showroom will be One Hyde Park; The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge. McLaren London will move into the premises in early 2011 in preparation for the spring 2011 launch of the new McLaren...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

ABARTH – Has announced the new 500 695 Tributo Ferrari special edition. Limited to 152 examples for the UK, the Tributo Ferrari will be priced at £29,600 and receives standard features that include automatic climate control, xenon headlamps, Blue&Me hands free infotainment, sport button and 17” alloy wheels. It will be powered by a 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine that produces 180bhp, has a 0-62mph time of 7 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. The 695 Tributo Ferrari will be available to special order only through the Abarth dealer network.

 

FORD –...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, July 28, 2010

This week's manufacturer news

 

AUDI – The new A7 sportback model will open for ordering in the UK on 16th August, with first deliveries expected on 1st November. There will be four engines available at launch: a 2.8 litre FSI 204ps petrol, a 3.0 litre T 300ps petrol, a 3.0 TDI 204ps diesel and a 3.0 TDI 245ps diesel. All engines will feature the Quattro four wheel drive system and S-Tronic transmission as standard, except the 204ps diesel, which will have a Multitronic gearbox and 2WD drive train. The range will offer two trim levels: SE and S Line, and pricing will start at £42,925 on the road (rising to £43,745 in January with the forthcoming 20% VAT rate).

 

PORSCHE – Has developed three Boxster models with all-electric drive to be used specifically for research...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, July 21, 2010

BMW – Has announced the introduction of the new X3. It will initially be launched with one derivative – an xDrive 20d 184ps SE diesel which is priced at £30,490 on the road. Step auto transmission will also be available with a premium of £1,495 over the manual. Other engines are due to follow at a later date, but it is expected that the xDrive 20d will account for 80% of all sales in the UK when the other engines are introduced. The new X3 is due on sale on 20th November 2010.

 

CITROEN – Has announced the appointment of Charles Peugeot as Sale Director for Citroen UK. He will take up his new role at Citroen UK’s headquarters in Slough on 1st August 2010.

 

HYUNDAI – Photographs of the new Hyundai i45 have been released in the Asia Pacific region. It is thought a car looking very similar to this will come to Europe next year. This D sector will be available in hatchback and estate body styles and may have some minor styling changes to be made more suitable for Europe. It...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

KIA – The new Soul Echo model is now on sale priced at £13,995 on the road. Available with a 1.6 litre 124bhp petrol or 1.6 litre CRDI 126bhp diesel engine, it comes with the following standard features: air conditioning, leather upholstery, 18” alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and privacy glass.

 

MAZDA – The Takuya special edition models in the Mazda2, 3 and 6 ranges are now on sale. Prices start at £11,915 on the road for the Mazda2 Takuya, £15,780 for the Mazda3 and £19,845 for the Mazda6.

 

NISSAN – Has announced that the 370Z coupe and roadster is to be offered with a 2 year interest free finance deal. A minimum of 25% deposit is required and customers will have the option to pay off the remainder of the car’s value after 24 months. Interest free monthly repayments start at £299 for the coupe and £349 for the roadster.

 

PEUGEOT – Has released some details on the new 508. It will...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, July 07, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

ABARTH – Prices for the Abarth 500C and Abarth Punto Evo have been announced. The 500C will be priced at £17,500 on the road and will have a 1.4 litre 16V turbo T-Jet 140bhp petrol engine. The Punto Evo will be priced at £16,500 on the road and will have a 1.4 litre 16V Multiair 165bhp engine. Both models made their UK public debuts at Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend and are expected to go on sale from 17th July.

 

FORD – Is to reduce the recommended retail prices of their small and medium sized cars by an average of 11% during August.

 

KIA – Has announced details of the new Sportage First Edition. It will be the first model to be released as part of the newest shape Sportage, with other models in the range due to be launched in November. The First Edition will feature...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

FORD – Will debut the new Mondeo on 25th August at the Moscow Motor Show. The range will feature two new engines: a new 2.0 EcoBoost 240ps petrol and a 2.2 TDCI 200ps diesel. Further details and pricing are yet to be announced and it is expected to go on sale in the UK in October this year.

 

 

 

 

JAGUAR – Has announced the XKR 75 limited edition is to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 2nd July. The model is being introduced to celebrate Jaguar’s 75th anniversary and will be available with an enhanced 5.0 litre supercharged V8 530ps petrol engine (510ps on original XKR). Features exclusive to the XKR 75 will include an aerodynamic body pack, an improved sports exhaust, red brake calipers and 20” Vortex alloy wheels. Production will be limited to 75 units and it will be available to order from July 2010 priced at £85,500 on the road.

...

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By Martin Ward on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

This week’s manufacturer news

 

LOTUS – Has announced the introduction of the new RGB special edition in both the Elise and Exige ranges. The special editions are being launched in recognition of Roger Becker, who was former Director of Vehicle Engineering at Lotus for 44 years before he retired in January 2010. The Elise SC RGB will have a 1.8 litre 218bhp petrol engine and will be priced at £38,550. The Exige S RGB will have a 1.8 litre 257bhp petrol engine and will be priced at £41,950. Both models will come with Sports and Touring packs as standard. The RGB special editions are due on sale in September 2010.

 

VAUXHALL – Has revealed first official photographs of the new Astra sport tourer. It will have the same 2685mm wheelbase as the Astra hatchback, but with an extra 28mm added to its maximum load length. It...

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