Martin's Blog

First impressions – Morgan 3 Wheeler

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Morgan first showed the 3 Wheeler at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and it is believed that more people viewed this car than any other at the show; it was a definite show-stealer. At that time last March, the company thought it would take around 100 orders in the first year, but the figure sits at nearly 1,000 at the moment, so it has been a surprising and pleasing result so far for Morgan. The sales have come from all around the world, so the staff and suppliers are certainly being kept busy.

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This week's manufacturer news

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

AUDI – Has announced the introduction of a new 3.0 litre BiTDI 313ps diesel engine to the A6 and A7 models. Prices start at £43,810 on the road for the A6 Saloon BiTDI and £51,645 on the road for the A7 Sportback. The new engine will be available on the A6 Allroad at a later date.

SKODA – Has announced that the Citigo – the new city car offering from Skoda – will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The Citigo is expected to arrive in European markets in mid-May this year, available in both three and five door body styles.

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This week's manufacturer news

marketing@cap.co.uk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

HYUNDAI – Has announced pricing for the new generation i30 model. Prices start at £14,495 on the road for the 1.4 litre 100ps Classic and go up to £20,795 on the road for the 1.6 CRDI 110ps Style Nav Auto. The new i30 is due to launch in the UK in March.

JAGUAR – Has announced the introduction of two new XF variants – the Sport special edition and the SE Business. The Sport benefits from features such as an aerodynamic pack (which includes side sill extensions, a rear spoiler, black grille and black rear valance), leather/suede upholstery, front parking aid and a reversing camera. The SE Business has HDD satellite navigation over the SE. The Sport and SE Business models are priced at £34,950 and £31,500 on the road respectively.

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First driving impressions – Lexus GS Saloon, Lisbon

marketing@cap.co.uk — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The first Lexus came to the UK in 1990, and most people thought it would be a short-lived thing – that they would disappear from showrooms within a few years and never be heard of ever again, but over 22 years later they are still here, and they’re getting stronger and stronger.

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This week's manufacturer news

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

HONDA – Has revealed an image of the new NSX Concept. The car accommodates several new technologies, including a new SH-AWD (Sport Hybrid, Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

LAND ROVER – The Range Rover Evoque has been named 2012 North American Truck of the Year. The announcement was made at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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Test car – Mazda6 Business Line

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Take an already well-equipped Mazda6 such as the TS, add features like 17” alloys (over 16”), Tom Tom satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and an MP3 compatible audio system, and you end up with a Mazda6 Business Line.

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Test car – Honda CR-V 2.2 litre i-DTEC SE+

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The CR-V was first introduced to the UK in 1997 and depending on which country you go to, the name CR-V has a different abbreviation. In some countries it stands for ‘Civic Recreational Vehicle’, and in others, including the UK, it stands for ‘Compact Recreational Vehicle’.

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This week's manufacturer news

marketing@cap.co.uk — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

CITROEN – The new facelift C1 is to make its world debut at the Brussels Motor Show on 10^th January. It has a re-designed front bumper with LED daytime running lights and new features include a new CD audio system with Bluetooth/USB and an electronic gearbox system with steering-mounted paddles.

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Test car – Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 litre HDI Exclusive

marketing@cap.co.uk — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The C4 Grand Picasso has been available in the UK since early 2007 and has been one of Citroen’s greatest successes in recent years. Citroen tend to fare better selling small cars and people carriers, but anything in between remains a problem for them in the UK. The C4 Grand Picasso we test drove was in a brilliant non-metallic white, which did look good and showed the C4 off at its best.

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Test car – Range Rover Evoque Prestige Lux 2WD 6 speed manual

marketing@cap.co.uk — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This is the final test car review of the year, so as the saying goes: let’s save the best till last.

Not too long ago, I couldn’t have imagined saying that I’m test driving a two wheel drive Land Rover, but for the last week that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. The all-new Evoque is available with both 2WD and 4WD, but it probably should be put like this: the Evoque is a 4WD with a 2WD option for those who want the looks but don’t necessarily want to go off-road too often. The 2WD version also has lower CO2 emissions, so would suit the more environmentally friendly drivers out there.

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