|
|
|  |  | News Feed Is Not Available At This Time. Error message:The operation has timed out |
|
 |
| | |
| | | News Feed Is Not Available At This Time. Error message:The request was aborted: The operation has timed out. |
|
|
| | |
|
| |
Chevrolet unveils Aveo supermini
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:37:00 GMT)
Chevrolet has revealed the production version of its new five-door Aveo supermini.
On sale in the UK next autumn, it follows two sporty RS concept versions that were shown earlier in the year at the Detroit and Geneva motor shows.
At first glance the Aveo might look like a three-door car because the handles for the rear doors are hidden in the C-pillars.
Two petrol and two diesel engines will be available from launch. The 1.2-litre petrol develops 85bhp while the 1.4-litre has 99bhp and will be available with a six-speed automatic transmission for the first time.
The 1.3-litre diesel delivers either 74bhp or 95bhp and will have engine stop-start technology to improve economy.
Chevrolet promises lively handling for the car, which, it says, has been fine-tuned to cater for European tastes.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
     
|
How to deal with car salesmen - part 1
(Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:30:00 GMT)
What Car? Target Price mystery shoppers experience the full range of tactics that sales staff use to get the most cash out of car buyers.
One recent experience at a Peugeot dealer uncovered two typical tactics that we're going to reveal here.
Learn how to spot these tactics and you'll know how to deal with them when they're used against you, whichever brand of car you're shopping for.
Tactic one – 'Sorry, we can't discount that car.'
This is, almost certainly, complete rubbish. The majority of cars on sale are available with a discount. The exceptions are models available in limited numbers, such as a Ferrari 458, where demand will always outstrip supply.
Recently launched cars where demand is buoyant will also miss out on the biggest discounts.
So, you're unlikely get a discount on a new Ferrari, but how about a Peugeot RCZ?
We were told by one Peugeot dealer that: 'Unfortunately Peugeot have said that anyone who discounts the RCZ will have the rights of selling the car taken away from them.'
Peugeot denies they have threatened dealers with any such action, admitting it's just a case of 'salesmanship' in action.
However, a spokesman for Peugeot said: 'There has been so much demand that the RCZ doesn't attract the same kind of incentives that other Peugeot products enjoy.
'There would be no point in discounting the car and we have communicated that to dealers.'
Competition laws exist to ensure that Peugeot, or any other importer, can't dictate to franchised dealers the price at which cars are sold. That's why when you look in a pricelist it says 'recommended retail price,' not compulsory retail price.
If you're told by a dealer they can't discount, for any reason, be suspicious. Consult our Target Prices to see the most you should pay for any new car and don't take no for an answer.
You should be able to find a dealer or broker that will discount more than our Target Price, but get in touch with us if you can't and we'll put you in touch with one that will.
As far as discounts on an RCZ goes, take a look at the hundreds that Drivethedeal.com is offering off prices.
Don't expect a big discount on newly lauched cars such as the Peugeot RCZ Tactic two – 'You have to buy now to get this price.'
This can be true, but more often than not it is just used to seal the deal by panicking buyers into signing on the dotted line.
Take time to satisfy yourself you're happy with the deal and don't be pressurised. Go for a breath of fresh air away from the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the dealership, so you can look over the details with a cool head.
The same Peugeot dealer that told us they couldn't discount the RCZ told us we needed to order now to avoid the increase in next January's VAT increase.
This simply isn't true.
Even if a car you order now isn't delivered or paid for in full until next year, a dealership can raise a tax 'point of sale' this year, when you place a deposit, which means VAT will be applied at the current rate, not the increased level of 20%.
Come back tomorrow for part two.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Petrol Kia Sportage goes on sale
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT)
Kia's all-new Sportage crossover is now available with a 161bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine from £19,495
The petrol-powered Kia Sportage First Edition does an average of 35.8mpg and emits 188g/km of CO2. It has a top speed of 113mph and a 0-60mph time of 10.3 seconds.
As with the recently launched 2.0 CRDI Kia Sportage, the four-wheel-drive petrol version is available in just one well-equipped trim that includes:
• leather upholstery
• dual-zone climate control
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• Bluetooth
• cruise control
• rain-sensing wipers
• a colour rear parking camera system integrated into the rear-view mirror
Initially, 850 diesel Sportage First Editions were made for the UK, however Kia says these have all now been sold.
The full line-up, with two- and four-wheel-drive versions and lower-powered engines, will be available later this year, but Kia says it made the petrol First Editions available now to meet customer demand.
The petrol First Edition costs £1282 less than the diesel and is available to order now, with deliveries starting in October.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Mini Cooper D driven
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:29:00 GMT)
As part of the ongoing changes to the Mini range, there’s now a new diesel engine in Cooper versions of the hatchback, Clubman and convertible.
Derived from the unit in parent company BMW’s 1 Series, the turbocharged direct-injection 1.6-litre engine has more power and torque than the unit replaces, but is also more economical and has lower emissions.
At low speeds, there’s no hiding the tell-tale sounds of a diesel engine, but once you pick up the pace, things quieten down nicely. The unit combines well with the standard stop-start system, too, although again there’s no disguising the engine’s cough and splutter as it kicks back into life.
Petrol vs diesel
Generally, performance is strong, and the strong pull in the mid-range (much more than in the old engine) means you don’t need to rev the unit as hard as you do with the petrol alternative.
That means the two engines have very different characters. The petrol model is the more exciting and sporty because it needs to be worked hard, whereas you can be a little lazier with the diesel, relying on its mid-range pull to haul you along at a perfectly acceptable rate.
The only problem comes if you let the revs drop much below 1750rpm. Amble round a tight turn in town in second gear, for example, and there’s a distinct lull in proceedings until the turbocharger kicks the engine into life.
More photos of the Mini Cooper
Coinciding with the introduction of this engine is what can only be described as a very minor facelift: revised bumpers at both ends, as well as a new black cross-piece below the front number plate and new-look rear lights.
That may sound like a lot, but even with the new and old cars side-by-side, you’ll be hard-pressed to spot the differences.
There are also new wheels and paint colours to choose from, revised trims inside, and some new options. These include adaptive headlights and Mini Connected, an in-car infotainment system that is controlled by Mini’s version of BMW’s iDrive. It also works through an iPhone to give web radio, Facebook and Twitter updates, and a variety of other features.
The trouble is that these minor changes add up to a surprisingly major price rise. At £15,730, the new Cooper D hatchback, for example, is more than £500 dearer than the model it replaces – and there are similar rises in the Clubman and Convertible ranges.
Perhaps more significantly, it’s also over £1000 more expensive than the petrol-engined Cooper, which has more character, is quicker to 60mph and still does over 50mpg. Unless you do an awful lot of miles, you’ll struggle to make up that kind of price difference in lower fuel bills.
Andy.Pringle @whatcar.com
What Car? says
Better than the old car, but we prefer the petrol model
|
Lighter and more powerful Bentley GT
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT)
The Bentley Continental GT coupe has been given an overhaul with more power, less weight and tweaks to its exterior and interior.
See more photos of the Bentley GT in our Facebook gallery.
Performance and efficiency
The 6.0-litre W12 engine gets a 15bhp power boost from 552bhp to 567bhp which – combined with the car's 65kg weight loss – results in a 0-60mph time that's cut from 4.6 seconds to 4.4. Top speed remains 198mph.
Average fuel consumption improves slightly by 0.1mpg to 17.1mpg, while CO2 emissions drop from 396g/km to 384g/km.
The front and rear track of the car are also increased, by 41mm and 48mm respectively, and the six-speed Quickshift automatic transmission has been modified. Shift times are halved to 200 milliseconds, while 60% of the engine's power is now sent to the rear wheels compared with 50% previously. Bentley says the new arrangement allows for greater cornering control on the throttle.
Styling
New headlights, squarer exterior styling and a refreshed interior with new seats and a 30GB in-car control system mark the revised car out.
New engine
A more efficient 4.0-litre V8 option will be added to the range late next year. Power output hasn't been confirmed yet, but Bentley says it will have class-leading emissions-to-power ratio.
Both of the engines in the GT will be able to run on E85 bioethanol fuel, which Bentley estimates will reduce your well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 70%. However, E85 is sold in only 21 petrol stations in the UK.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
What Car? Q&A replay
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:45:00 GMT)
The What Car? lunchtime question and answer session is has now ended.
Don't worry if you missed the live action, though, you can scroll down and replay all of the questions and answers - or logon between 1pm-2pm next Tuesday for another live Q&A session.
Next session
The next live What Car? Q&A session will take place from 1pm-2pm, Tuesday, September 14.
Our team will be on hand to cover all subjects, whether it's a new car, used car or a problem with your current car. However, some questions might be too involved to sort out in a single lunchtime. We'll let you know what to do if so.
Answering your questions:
The What Car? team today were:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Leo Wilkinson: What Car? deputy road test editor
Live Q&A replay
The What Car? Q&A session is now closed.
Iain Reid:
whatcar.com producer Peter Lawton:
whatcar.com deputy editor Matt Sanger:
What Car? used car editor Leo Wilkinson:
What Car? deputy road test editor
Previous Q&A sessionsReplay our previous live Q&A sessions by clicking below.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
What Car? Q&A - live now
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:45:00 GMT)
The What Car? lunchtime question and answer session is now live.
Whether you're looking for advice on buying a new or used car, or have some other motoring-related issue that you'd like to try to resolve, our team of experts will be on hand to help out.
However, some questions might be too involved to sort out in a single lunchtime. We'll let you know what to do if so.
Answering your questions:
The What Car? team today:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Leo Wilkinson: What Car? deputy road test editor
Live Q&A
The What Car? Q&A session is now live
Iain Reid:
whatcar.com producer Peter Lawton:
whatcar.com deputy editor Matt Sanger:
What Car? used car editor Leo Wilkinson:
What Car? deputy road test editor
Previous Q&A sessionsReplay our previous live Q&A sessions by clicking below.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Kia issues Soul and Sorento recall
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:22:00 GMT)
Kia is recalling more than 500 of its Sorento and Soul models because of a potential problem with the wiring in their doors.
In models that have 'mood-lighting', Kia says there is a small danger of the wiring overheating, which could cause a fire.
Kia is recalling 73 Souls and 476 Sorentos, and it says the work to fix the problem should take no more than an hour.
Hamish McCowan, after-sales and logistics director at Kia Motors (UK) Ltd, said: 'We are not aware of any vehicles in the UK suffering from this problem, but we believe it is better to be safe, and that is why we are taking this recall action.
'The risk of a fire is small and would only occur under extreme circumstances, but we want to make sure none of our customers are anxious about the safety of their vehicles'.
The recall affects vehicles built between September 2009 and June this year.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Infiniti prices M30d saloon
(Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:08:00 GMT)
Infiniti's new diesel-powered M30d saloon will join the range in October with prices starting from £36,750.
The 235bhp 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine produces 406lb ft of torque and is capable of accelerating the car from 0-62mph in 6.9sec. Average fuel consumption is 37.7mpg while CO2 emissions are 199g/km.
Trims
The entry-level version of the car gets a seven-speed automatic transmission, xenon headlights, climate control, electric seats, reversing camera, parking sensors and a heated steering wheel.
GT
GT models are priced from £39,250 and add leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats and active headlights.
S
Sportier S versions cost from £41,250 and include four-wheel steering, stiffer suspension and 20-inch wheels.
GT Premium and S Premium
Buyers can also buy a GT Premium or S Premium for £44,600 or £46,600 respectively. The extra cash brings a suite of technology including a blind-spot warning system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and prevention, a premium sound system and uprated climate control.
The diesel engine for Infiniti's BMW 5 Series is an important addition to the range for European markets. It will be joined by a V6 petrol-based M35 hybrid in 2011.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Car registrations slump again
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:34:00 GMT)
New car registrations fell for the second month in a row in August and the downward trend is expected to continue for the rest of the year.
Sales fell by 17.5% compared with August 2009, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 55,305 cars were registered last month.
Although the SMMT predicts registrations will continue to be down on monthly 2009 figures for the remainder of the year, it is also forecasting year-end figures to be 1.2% up thanks to a strong start to 2010. In all, the SMMT reckons two million new cars will be registered by the end of the 2010.
Diesel-powered cars accounted for more than half of the market for the second month in a row, with 52.6% of all registrations, while superminis still dominate the top 10 best sellers.
Top 10 best-sellers Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 In August
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Corsa
BMW 3 Series
Volkswagen Golf
Nissan Qashqai
Vauxhall Insignia
Volkswagen Polo
Audi A3 Registered
2660
1926
1906
1629
1600
1511
1456
1193
1193
1037 Year-to-date
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Corsa
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Peugeot 207
BMW 3 Series
Mini
Nissan Qashqai Registered
66,863
54,448
53,449
51,147
37,171
30,574
27,880
25,849
25,189
24,836
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
New Ford C-Max MPV from £16,745
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:16:00 GMT)
The new C-Max will cost from £16,745 when it goes on sale in October, Ford has confirmed.
The five-seat MPV will be sold alongside the larger Grand C-Max, which goes on sale at the same time, with the added practicality of seven seats and twin sliding rear doors. Prices for the bigger car start at £18,745.
Ford says the C-Max will appeal to buyers who want something more practical than a standard hatchback, but still want it to feel sporty. The Grand C-Max, on the other hand, is a more family-friendly model.
The line-up will include three petrol and two diesel engines, although the least powerful 1.6-litre petrol engine is available in the five-seat car only.
Making its first appearance in the C-Max is a new 148bhp 1.6-litre version of Ford's Ecoboost petrol engine. This will be sold alongside 1.6- and 2.0-litre versions of the Duratorq diesel engine, with the smaller of the two emitting just 119g/km of CO2 (or 129g/km in the Grand C-Max).
Limited trim options
Buyers have a much more limited range of trims to choose from: just Zetec and Titanium.
Standard on every model are alloy wheels, air-conditioning, and a DAB radio/CD with Bluetooth, USB connectivity and voice control. The Grand C-Max also has rear parking sensors.
Step up to Titanium trim, and you also get automatic wipers and headlights, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and an uprated stereo, with the Grand C-Max also having folding mirrors.
Ford C-Max prices Engine
Duratec Petrol
1.6 TI-VCT
1.6 TI-VCT
1.6 Ecoboost
Duratorq diesel
1.6 TDCi
2.0 TDCi
2.0 TDCi (auto) Bhp
104
123
148
113
138
138 CO2 5/7-seat
154
154/159
154/159
119/129
134/139
149/154 C-Max
Zetec
£16,745
-
-
£18,245
-
- C-Max
Titanium
-
£18,745
£19,745
£19,745
£20,745
£21,995 Grand C-Max
Zetec
-
£18,745
-
£19,745
£20,745
£21,995 Grand C-Max
Titanium
-
£19,995
£20,995
£20,995
£21,995
£23,245
|
Ask What Car? experts - live
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:59:00 GMT)
Join us in our live Q&A session, which takes place on Tuesday, September 7, from 1-2pm.
Whether you're looking for advice on buying a new or used car, or have some other motoring-related issue that you'd like to try to resolve, our team of experts will be on hand to help out.
How it works
Simply log on, submit your question and we'll get through as many as we can.
Depending on how many questions we get we might not be able to answer them all, and some issues might be too involved to clear up in the limited time we have available.
Set the date
Make sure you don't miss the opportunity to put your questions direct to the What Car? team by entering your e-mail address in the box on the right – and you'll get a reminder before the Q&A session starts.
What Car? live Q&A, Tuesday, September 7, from 1-2pm
Here are the experts who'll be answering your questions:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Leo Wilkinson: What Car? deputy road test editor
Join us live from 1pm Tuesday, September 7.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Fraud to blame for costly insurance
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:49:00 GMT)
Younger drivers have themselves to blame for high insurance costs, because one in 20 motorists under 35 has faked an accident to make a fraudulent claim, according to a survey by Moneysupermarket.com.
The survey of 2023 drivers also exposed that 5% of younger drivers would also consider a fraudulent claim which, with nearly 36 million licence holders in the UK, adds up to 1.7 million motorists.
The Association of British Insurers says 2000 fraudulent claims worth £16 million are detected each week.
Cut the cost of car insurance
The cost of car insurance for young drivers has rocketed, but staging or inventing an accident to get cash fraudulently will have a massive impact on the driver's premiums if discovered.
Download our guide to cutting insurance bills and reduce your premiums without resorting to breaking the law.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Motorists accept speed cameras says AA
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:40:00 GMT)
The UK's speed camera-switch off – caused by the slashing of road safety budgets – could create a public backlash rather than win the hearts of motorists, the AA has warned.
It reckons the views of motorists aren't being properly reflected in the debate on speed cameras and it claims lives will be put at risk as more cameras are cut.
According to the AA's survey, 69% of 15,000 AA members polled accept the use of cameras, while local residents near the first switch-offs in Oxfordshire report speeds have already increased.
The AA believes the Government's announcement that there will be no new funding for fixed speed cameras, and a 37% cut in road safety budgets, will cost lives.
AA president Edmund King said: 'There is currently a road safety policy void, which could lead to an increase in crashes. Cameras will never be loved, but their use is accepted by the majority of motorists.'
The AA believes cameras have a vital role to play in safety – there is an 80% chance a pedestrian will be killed by a car travelling at 40mph, compared with an 80% survival rate at 30mph.
It has raised the issues in a letter to transport secretary Philip Hammond and says it will discuss the speed camera switch off with ministers in a meeting soon.
Do you agree?
Do you back the use of speed cameras? Vote in our poll on the whatcar.com homepage to register your view.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
TomTom Live could help cut congestion
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:35:00 GMT)
Sat-nav maker TomTom says it's in discussions with authorities about opening up its Live database to help reduce congestion and cut journey times.
Since launching its Live system, TomTom has been logging the journeys of its customers and now has more than two trillion trips in its database, which means it is confident of the accuracy of its average speed times for any road, on any given day and time.
The Live database could therefore prove useful to authorities as they attempt to maximise existing road capacity.
TomTom's new products
TomTom says it will replace its top two models in its range before Christmas.
TomTom Via
The new mid-range Via model will come with Bluetooth and voice-command control. It gets a simplified menu system, which ensures all options for each menu section are displayed on one screen page – so you don't have to scroll through multiple pages to find the function you require.
The display can also flip upside down – a bit like a smartphone – which means it can be fitted on either the dashboard or the window. Prices have yet to be revealed but the units – with and without TomTom Live – will go on sale in the final three months of the year.
TomTom Go
The new TomTom Go will be on sale later this month for around £249. It comes with new magnetic mounts for both the unit and the power cable. Route planning is now much faster, with even the most complicated journeys taking around 2.5 to three seconds to calculate.
Renaults with TomTom
TomTom says that four in 10 Renault customers that can have TomTom fitted to their car are doing so, which far outperforms traditional sat-nav take up from other manufacturers. TomTom says it is in discussions with other manufacturers about forming a similar relationship to the one it has with Renault.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Multiair driven
(Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:49:00 GMT)
Perhaps you can have everything after all. Alfa’s turbocharged 1.4 litre petrol engine powering this Giulietta delivers strong power and torque yet still manages to meet frugal Euro V emissions standards.
There’s 168bhp and 184lb ft to play with, meaning a 7.8sec 0-62mph dash and enough performance to put a smile on your face.
Impressive real-world performance
Impressively, thanks to the clever Multiair technology, that combines with a CO2 output of just 134gm/km and official fuel consumption of 48mpg. We managed closer to 43mpg during test runs, four-up, loaded with baggage, but that’s still an impressive real-world figure for a car with this much performance.
That tech also means the engine has bags of low-down pulling power. You can comfortably use sixth gear at 30mph, boosting economy and refinement, because there’s no engine noise in the cabin to speak of. Rev harder, though, and an appealing growl is there to enjoy.
More photos of the Alfa Giulietta
The Giulietta is also well balanced, and only a little body roll and poor steering feel impinge on the entertainment if you choose to enjoy a rural road. It copes well with the UK’s ridged roads, and while it deals with broken surfaces with slightly less composure, that’s all part of the trade-off of choosing a sporty model.
Negatives?
Rear visibility is poor, there’s a little wind noise from the door mirrors, the driver’s footwell is cramped and rear space is tight. These are niggles rather than deal-breakers, though.
Verdict
Overall, though, your heart would only have to overrule your head by a fraction to choose one of these over a VW Golf. No question, it’s the best Alfa money can buy – and very close to the best in class.
Jim.Holder@whatcar.com
What Car? Says
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Premium sound systems for all
(Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:30:00 GMT)
Car audio specialist JBL says all cars will eventually have sound systems of the quality that only premium cars currently have.
The start, says JBL, is its MS-8 System Integration Digital Processor. It boosts the quality of your car's current system without having to add amplifiers or speakers.
'Eventually, this will be in all cars,' predicted Mark Hockey of JBL's parent company Harman UK.
The MS-8 optimises sound for up to eight channels, while its digital signal processing (DSP) equalisation and correction automatically improve the stereo's sound and compensate for the characteristics of the car's speakers, electronics and interior.
When the system is set up, it automatically optimises the sound for up to four seating positions inside the car, so the sound hits your ears at exactly same time no matter where you are sitting.
The MS-8 is not cheap, costing around £600, and it's recommended that a professional installer fits the MS-8 as it can take three hours to install. However it is certainly cheaper than buying a premium sound system.
The MS-8 will be followed by a smaller cheaper model. Called the MS-4, it will cost around £350 and is on sale next March.
The product line up will be completed with a Pocket DSP that requires no special installation – users will simply plug it in to the car's AV socket. It will cost less than £200.
Find out more at http://ms8.jbl.com/.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Renault face-lifts the Laguna
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:00:00 GMT)
These are the first photos of the face-lifted Renault Laguna, which will be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show at the end of this month.
The most obvious changes are at the front end, where both the hatchback and Sport Tourer models (but not the Coupe, which remains unchanged) get revised headlights and bumpers, with a new design of grille below the numberplate.
More efficient engines
Along with the cosmetic surgery, all the engines have been revised to meet Euro V regulations, with the result that emissions have dropped across the entire range. In the hatchback, the 1.5 dCi 110 engine now emits just 120g/km of CO2, 10g/km less than before.
The face-lifted Renault Laguna Estate that will be at the Paris motor show 4Control system
In the UK, three trims will be available – Expression, Dynamique and GT Line – with the company’s 4Control system available on models with the 2.0 dCi 180 engine.
This allows the rear wheels to turn slightly, with the angle and direction depending on the circumstances. The company says it gives better manoeuvrability at low speeds, increased stability at high speeds, and more safety in an emergency.
Prices for the revised models will be announced in mid-October, with the car going on sale in November.
|
Chevrolet Cruze hatchback revealed
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:23:00 GMT)
Chevrolet has revealed the first photographs of a new hatchback version of the Cruze.
It will be unveiled at the Paris motor show at the end of this month, and the five-door car will join the existing four-door saloon in Chevrolet showrooms in the middle of next year.
Although the two models look similar, the hatchback stands out from the saloon with its coupe-like roofline.
The range of engines and trims will mirror that of the saloon, although the new hatchback will be launched with Euro V-compliant engines, which will find their way into the saloon in due course.
Exact details of the car and its specifications will be confirmed nearer its on-sale date, so there is no confirmation of whether every detail of the show car – such as the LED running lights in the front bumper – will appear on the production car.
The company has confirmed that the five-door, five-seat car will have a 400-litre boot (50 litres less than the saloon), with 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
The Cruze hatchback will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres at Paris. The company will also unveil the Orlando MPV, the new Aveo supermini, and a revised version of the Captiva 4x4.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Ford's mirror-based sat-nav
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:59:00 GMT)
A new sat-nav system fitted alongside the rear-view mirror is now available from Ford dealers.
Mirror Navi allows drivers to use the navigation system at the same time as they check the rear view.
The new system can be fitted by dealers in less than an hour and is classed as a fitted navigation system for insurance purposes – which could help to reduce premiums.
The Mirror Navi has tinted and dimming mirror glass, a battery charging connection and anti-theft security. It has a 3.5-inch screen, colour display with 2D or 3D mapping.
Other features include destination memory, Eco Route – software that finds more fuel-efficient routes – and maps and voice directions for more than 70 countries and languages.
The Mirror Navi system fits all Ford models and costs £299 plus dealer fitting charges.
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Celebs a bad influence on young drivers
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:50:00 GMT)
Reckless celebrities are setting a bad example to young drivers, according to a new report.
The Autoglass survey claims the increasing amount of celebrities and sports stars – such as England footballers Ashley Cole and Joe Cole – being brought before the court to answer speeding charges is having a negative effect on young drivers who look upon them as role models.
There was more bad news for younger drivers, with 68% of those questioned calling for tougher penalties for those caught speeding. Half of respondents also want young drivers who break motoring laws to be forced to retake their driving test.
Other results of the survey included:
• 32% wanted an instant ban for young drivers who break the law
• 67% said teens should be restricted to small-capacity engines
• 60% wanted youngsters to display a P-plate for 12 months after passing their test
• 23% called for a night-time ban on young drivers
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
Parents need driving lessons
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:13:00 GMT)
Parents should take a driving lesson or two before teaching their teenagers to drive, says the What Car? Driving School. This would give parents an updated understanding of the Highway Code, and knowledge of the skills required by the new test.
The financial crisis has prompted many parents to shun professional driving lessons with driving instructors and play the teacher role themselves, but in the majority of cases parents’ knowledge is out of date.
What Car? Driving School is the only national driving school that encourages parents to participate in initial lessons or to take guidance sessions with their teenager’s instructor.
‘With over 45% of UK drivers likely to fail the current driving test it is all too clear that these drivers need a refresher driving lesson or two to ensure they do not pass on their bad habits to their teenagers,’ said Paul Atkinson, What Car? Driving School managing director.
Parents’ typical bad habits• Approach junctions too quickly • Rush observations • Incorrect use of speed • Drive too close to the vehicle in front • Don’t use mirrors enough 'What Car? Driving School recommends that every teenager learning to drive gets as much road experience as possible with their parents when they are safe to do so, but this should be supplementary to professional driving lessons with the highest-quality ADI driving instructors,' said Atkinson.
What Car? Driving School
Get more information: www.whatcardrivingschool.com
Get interactive with whatcar.com...
|
 What Car? Magazine Online is the UK's best source of expert, impartial advice on all aspects of buying, owning and selling cars.
What Car? News
Copyright: (C) What Car?, http://www.whatcar.com/terms |
|
| | |
|