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 tuning of the suspension, along with the addition of a fixed rear wing. Just 50 LFA models with the Nurburgring package will be built, as part of the 500 globally built LFA models.
MAZDA – Has reached an agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation on the supply, under licence, of the hybrid technology which is used in the Prius. Mazda intend to use this hybrid system and combine it with their next-generation SKY engines, which are currently under development, in order to produce a hybrid vehicle in Japan. They plan to commence sales of this hybrid vehicle in Japan in 2013.
PEUGEOT – Will introduce the Allure special edition to the 107, 207 (hatchback and CC) and 308 (hatchback and CC) ranges. The 107 Allure is based on the Urban Plus and adds 14” alloy wheels, air conditioning and alcantara/leather upholstery. The 207 hatchback and CC Allure is based on the Sport variant and adds leather upholstery, 17” alloy wheels, an exclusive pack (on hatch only) and dark tinted rear windows (on CC only). The 308 Allure is based on the Sport and gains 18” alloy wheels, leather upholstery and AIRscarf (CC only). On the road pricing for the Allure will be as follows: £9,900 for the 107, £14,945 for the 207 hatchback, £18,090 for the 207 CC, £18,240 for the 308 hatchback and £22,795 for the 308 CC. All Allure special editions will be introduced in April.
First driving impressions – Peugeot RCZ, international press launch – Elciego, Spain
Peugeot decided on Northern Spain, just over the French Border, for the international launch of their all new coupe, the RCZ. This area is famous for growing grapes and producing Rioja wine. We stayed in a hotel that has recently been built, alongside a vineyard that started producing Rioja in 1863 and next to the winery that produces over 5 million bottles a year. It is a huge industry in this part of the world.
The RCZ is going head-to-head with some other superb coupe models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Scirocco and Mazda RX-8. There is very little choice in the small 2+2 coupe sector, so introducing this model could prove to be lucrative for Peugeot; there is certainly a niche for the RCZ in this small band of cars. However, to be a member of this elite club you have to have exceptional quality. With the RCZ, Peugeot has now entered into the premium sector, where the build quality and materials used have to be more than just “acceptable”.
The RCZ is built by Magna Steyr at its plant in Graz, Austria. Magna are renowned for their ability to put cars together really well and they currently produce vehicles for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jeep, Chrysler and the new Mini Countryman. Therefore, the build quality should be to a high standard.
We test drove two cars in Spain, both with different engines. The first was the 1.6 litre THP petrol that produces 200hp, goes from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and has a CO2 emissions figure of 159g/km. The other car was the 2.0 litre HDi diesel that produces 163hp, goes from 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds and has a CO2 emissions figure of 139g/km. The 200hp will not be available at launch in May; customers will have to wait until late summer for the high-powered model. At launch the 1.6 litre THP 156 will be available, but this model was not there at the event for us to test. It is expected that this model will take the largest share of UK sales.
The two cars we drove were very different, as you would expect with one being petrol and the other a diesel, and they are aimed at very different audiences. The 2.0 litre HDi diesel is the one that is economical and drives very much like a diesel; it had more than enough power, but overall there were no surprises. As we drove it around the mountain roads it seemed happiest in higher gears and you felt that you couldn’t attack some of the corners with any degree of speed.
The 1.6 litre 200hp petrol was completely different and is a bit of a dark horse; the power it produces from the 1.6 litre engine is phenomenal. It felt as though it was on rails as we went up the snow covered mountains and no matter what you did, it just stuck to the road. The diesel, for some reason, did not feel quite as sure-footed and we were not sure why, as there is very little difference in suspension settings or handling characteristics; the petrol just seemed better. The size of the steering wheel is larger on the diesel for some reason, but this should not have made a difference to the feel of the car.
The exterior styling is very bold and it looks great from every angle. The ‘double-bubble’ roof extends down into the rear window and also looks good, so hats off to the glass manufacturer who has managed to create such a unique shape. There is a small rear spoiler in the boot that pops up automatically at a 19° angle at 53mph and fully extends to 34° at 96mph (where this speed is permitted). However, at the push of a button the spoiler can be raised to the second position.
The interior quality is good and has some nice touches such as the double-stitching leather on the seats and dash. The black interior I felt had a much more quality look and feel to it, as opposed to the lighter colours which didn’t look as luxurious.
The RCZ, like the TT, has two occasional rear seats. I would not have even attempted to get into these, with the fear of not being able to get out again, but they would be suitable on a short journey for a couple of small children. The boot is surprisingly large; you could easily get at least three suitcases in, plus hand-luggage and for additional space, the rear seats can be folded down.
Unlike the rest of Europe, Peugeot UK has chosen to have two models instead of just one. These are the Sport and GT, available with both petrol and diesel engines. The Sport has a good level of specification, with the GT model adding leather upholstery, electric and heated front seats, front parking aid, automatic lights and follow me home lighting.
Prices for this attractive coupe start from £20,450 on the road for a 1.6 litre 156hp THP petrol Sport and go up to £25,050 on the road for a 1.6 litre THP 200hp petrol GT. The car that is best value for money is the 1.6 litre HDi 163hp diesel Sport which is priced at £22,250 on the road; this really is a bargain.
Test van – Volkswagen Transporter SWB T28 2.0 litre 102ps
The Transporter is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ best selling model in the UK as well as worldwide. The new Transporter is the fifth generation model, with the first model being introduced in 1950; this was the iconic ‘split-screen’ model with a rear mounted, air-cooled engine. Over 10 million Transporters have been sold since 1950 and more than one million T5 models have been made since 2003.
The latest generation T5 was launched in the UK in January and has had a major facelift, being easily identified by its new front design which is in line with that of Volkswagen’s latest passenger cars such as the Golf. Along with the design, the engine range has also changed, as the new Transporter now uses Volkswagen’s latest four cylinder 2.0 litre common rail TDI technology. The new Transporter is available in four gross vehicle weights (kg): 2,600 (T26), 2,800 (T28), 3,000 (T30) and 3,200 (T32), with short and long wheelbases, low, medium and high roof heights, and variants which include: panel van, kombi, window van, shuttle, chassis and double cab. There is a broad range vans to choose from.
The engine is Euro five compliant and replaces the outgoing 1.9 litre TDI PD and 2.5 litre TDI PD. There is a choice of four power outputs: 84ps (available on all but T32), 102ps (available on all but T26), 140ps (available on all but T26) and 180ps (available on T28 and T30 only). DSG transmission and 4MOTION four wheel drive is also available on selected models.
The T28 van we had on test was fitted with the 102ps engine, which on paper sounds massively under-powered. If this was fitted to the smallest of cars it would be seen as the ‘poor-relation’ engine, however, in the van it works much better than expected and easily cruises on the motorway at 70mph. It can be driven up inclines even with a load on-board; the power was quite surprising. The 102ps engine goes from 0-62mph in 15.3 seconds, but it did feel quicker than this whilst driving it. The official combined fuel consumption figure is 37.7 MPG and it has a CO2 emissions figure of 198g/km.
I felt so comfortable in the Transporter; I felt as if I could have driven it easily for hundreds of miles without feeling like I needed a rest from it because the seats and suspension make it feel more car-like than a van. The quality was as expected from a Volkswagen product. The standard of materials used is excellent and the fit and finish is every bit as good as a VW car. This Transporter has improved on the previous model in numerous ways and will continue to be the back-bone of VW’s LCV sales. It just goes about its daily chores without any fuss, keeps the driver and passengers happy and the load safe with its numerous passive safety systems. These include ESP, a passenger airbag, daytime running lights and a body-shell with new crash safety enhancements.
The cost of the yellow Transporter we had on test was £16,800 + VAT.
Test car – BMW 535i SE Step Auto
The all new 5 Series arrived in dealer showrooms last week and has been well received by the press and public. It is bound to be a huge success for BMW. The new car has put right everything that was wrong with the outgoing car, but despite its shaky start, the previous model sold well and was almost universally liked. Despite its design (especially the rear end that took many by surprise at launch, and was a talking point in every pub in the UK), it overcame its critics as it was quite simply a brilliant car; it was a real driver’s car and one of the most comfortable cars on the market. Everyone who owned one loved it and they still do, despite the new one being introduced. The 5 Series has been a halo car for BMW and the new car will carry on with that tradition.
The car we had on test would not be anyone’s first natural choice. The 535i is expensive and is not good with emissions; it is not really a fleet car. When it reaches the used market it will, like previous 5 Series models with large engines, be scorned at by the used car buyer. There will however always be those that don’t do many miles and don’t really care about the cost of VED and fuel consumption. The 535i is on the price list but the percentage of sales will be relatively low.
I took the 535i on a fairly long motorway journey and I was surprised and pleased to get 32.4 MPG, according to the on-board computer. However, around town where I did plenty of stopping and starting, it dropped to around 23 MPG, which is still a good effort for a large car with a large petrol engine.
Once inside the car, you are cosseted by luxury; it looks and feels more like a 7 Series than a 5 Series. The quality of the Dakota leather is superb and the stitching and finish on all the upholstery is reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce; it really is that good. The cabin is quiet and refined, so it is a great place to sit for a very long time. There appears to be more head and leg room in the rear and the back seat is every bit as comfortable as the front. If you turned up at a red carpet event in a new 5 Series, you would feel like you were getting out of a much more expensive limo.
This car has a good size boot that will easily accommodate three of four large suitcases; I even fitted in my carefully wrapped up mountain bike, as I did not want to damage either the car, or more importantly, my two-wheeled friend. The handling, brakes and steering on the new 5 Series are all first class; everything is so positive and you really do feel safe whilst driving it. The build quality is rock-solid, with fit and finish throughout being just outstanding.
The 535i Step Auto we had on test produces 306ps, goes from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds and has CO2 emissions of 195g/km. The official combined fuel consumption figure is 33.6 MPG so it is relatively economical. The cost of the test car was £40,500 with a few options fitted.
The lion’s share of sales for the new 5 Series will be taken up by the 520d SE manual. It is excellent value for money, has an ultra-low CO2 figure of 132g/km and manages an incredible 56.5 MPG combined fuel consumption. This car is priced at £28,155 and with leather trim and Bluetooth as standard, it is a fantastic package and I can’t wait to drive one.
The all new 5 Series is the best of all worlds; it just oozes quality and most importantly, it has those BMW badges. It looks good value and the styling has certainly improved. BMW has gone from a good all-round car, to an excellent one.
