Motoring News: August 2009
Hello there and welcome to a look at this month’s news from the world of motoring.
In the mist of a recession BMW have launched a new entry-level Mini, whilst Lamborghini have given us the Gallardo LP550-4 and these two cars couldn’t be more different.
On TV Top Gear’s outspoken presenter, Jeremy Clarkson has caused controversy, with his VW Golf advert.
UPDATE: A new speed record has been set by the British Steam Team (See 'Brief News' Section)
Lexus Think Small For Their New Car!!
Lexus is a brand renowned for making large executive saloons, whilst it has rival models likes of BMW and Audi there is one area of cars, which it has never ventured into. I’m talking about executive hatchback market, were the BMW’s 1-Series and Audi A3 seem to dominate.
Well this is about to change as Lexus are set to join it’s rivals with an compact Lexus model, this will rival BMW’s 1- Series, Audi’s A3 and Volvo’s C30.
This new model is likely to called the BS or CS and is due to make it’s debut at the Geneva Motor show in March.
The car will be based on modified Toyota Auris platform and will the first front-wheel drive Lexus.
UK sales are expected to begin shortly after it’s debut next year.
Latest Ford Fiesta Is An Award Winner!
The Ford Fiesta (below) has been crowed the Best Supermini in The Car Awards 2009, by Auto Express magazine.
Meanwhile, Jaguar’s XF won The Best Executive Car Award for a second year running, Fiat’s 500 was crowned as the best city car, whilist the Ford Fiesta also won Best Car Of The Year 2009.
The latest Fiesta has proven to be a hit with buyers, it is a stylish and thoroughly modern hatchback with a range of capable engines and a stylish yet sold interior. For more information about the Fiesta visit www.ford.co.uk (this is not a link!!)
TV WATCH….
The current series of Top Gear has now finished, check out repeats of the Top Gear Sunday’s at 8pm on BBC Two and regularly on Dave.
In the meantime why not check out the Product Review Section for reviews of a number of car related products like books and DVD’s.
THIS MONTH’S NEW CARS….
We begin this month with a hybrid car, the Toyota Prius the new car features improved economy and great is the most aerodynamic family car. It produces just 89g/km of CO2, this means road tax costs £0 and it’s exempt from the congestion charge. Cost: about £17,000
BMW have launched a new entry-level Mini the Mini First, features 20bhp less than the Mini One and costs £10,950. Air-conditioning costs an extra £650. Fiat’s 500 is cheaper though.
The Volvo C30 1.6 litre diesel model is now available as a DRIVe model, this means increased economy and low emissions, it costs from £17,725, stop-start costs and extra £250 pound but , will reduce it’s CO2 output which means cheaper road tax!
OTHER NEW CARS: BMW X6M, a M Sport version of it’s X6 SUV. The Renault Scenic,
Audi TT RS and Land Rover’s new Discovery, the Discovery 4.
MORE MOTORING NEWS NEXT MONTH! MORE MOTORING NEWS NEXT MONTH!
BRIEF NEWS
British Team Break Speed Record!
The British Steam Team who attempted to break the speed record for a steam powered vehicle have suceeded.
They recorded an average speed of 139.848, beating the record of 127mph set way back in 1906.
Peugeot's Audi TT Rival!
The Peugeot RCZ will take on Audi's TT when it goes on sale in 2010.
The car will be available with a 1.6 litre turbo engine producing 200bhp as well as an efficent 2.0 litre diesel engine.
New Brit Supercar!
British sports car maker Noble has released official images of its new 650bhp £200,000 M600 supercar.
The car has a Volvo-based twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 under the bonnet and the body has carbon fibre panels to reduce weight.
The car will make its public debut at the Goodwood Revival meeting on 19-21st September.
September News
It’s now September and this month sees the debut of a number of cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show. One of these new cars is the Saab’s long-waited replacement for the current 9-5 and whilst you can see below, that the new 9-5 is hardly radical it does have a more modern look whilst it still retains some of that classic Saab styling that will mark it our from it’s rivals
Saab's New 9-5 Revealed!
It's the first new9-5 for 12 years and the new 9-5 has slimmer headlights and a larger grill.
This new 9-5 will be available with a wider range of engines including two 2.0-litre turbodiesels and a choice of three petrol engines including a powerful 2.8 V8.
Inside the car will get a higher quality interior than the outgoing 9-5, whilst on the road it should handle better to.
The new Saab 9-5 is expected to cost from around £23,000 and is due to go on sale in 2010.
Frankfurt Motorshow Stars
Here are a few of the new car’s which are at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show (18th-28th Sept)
Rolls- Royce Ghost:
It will be powered by a 6.6 litre V12 engine and will feature intelligent air-suspension which bossed claim will offer a blend of unwatched ride comfort and handling.
The Ghost will be built it Britain and will cost from £175,000 when it goes on sale next year.
Revised Volvo C30:
Volvo’s compact hatchback the C30, will get a new look with curvy
headlights and bonnet seem to give the revised model a more
modern appearance. Personally I prefer the current look of the C30
, the car will go on sale in 2010. Love it or hate it this car showcases a new design direction for Volvo that is likely to be seen on the next generation S60.
Seat’s Green Trio:
Seat showcased new ECOmotive versions of it’s Leon, Altea and Altea XL models. They all use a new common rail 105bhp 1.6 diesel engine and have stop-start technology. This means improved economy and lower emissions than the standard versions.
They are due to go on sale in the first half of 2010
VW Golf R:
The VW Golf MKVI is turning up the heat at Frankfurt with the Golf R, a successor to the R32. The car has a 266bhp 2.0 litre TSI engine, it is lighter and 20bhp more powerful than the V6 engine in the R32. Fuel economy is also improved from 26.4mpg to 32.2mpg.
The Golf R is due in UK showrooms in 2010
TV WATCH….
The last series of Top Gear is being shown on Dave, along with older episodes too.
Formula One 2010 continues this month with the….
Belgian Grand Prix- Sunday 6th September
Italian Grand Prix- Sunday 13th September
Singapore Grand Prix- Sunday 27th September.
THIS MONTH’S NEW CARS….
Earlier this year Seat launched a new family saloon car called the Exeo, the car was based on the previous generation Audi A4 and now an estate version called the ST has joined the Exeo range.
Visit www.seat.co.uk for more information.
BMW have launched the GrandTurismo a coupe/hatchback and saloon crossover, whatever next.
The facelifted Peugoet 207 is now on sale with a revised styling and a revised interior. Subaru’s Impreza is now available with a 2.0 litre turbo diesel boxer engine and costs from £20,000.
COMING SOON….
The new bigger and more spacious Polo is due on sale next month. The car will look like a smaller version on Volkswagen’s latest Golf, it will be better equipped and will cost more too.
Also due on sale next month is the Mazda 3 MPS, it’s actually due on sale on 1st October.
Infiniti’s new G37 Coupe’ is due to go on sale in the UK later this year along with a new hot hatch the RenaultSport Megane 250.
BRIEF NEWS....
Vauxhall and Opel Are Sold To Magna
The Vauxhall and Opel brands have been sold to the Canadian car parts manufacturer Magna.
Magna have said they will keep the UK plants open but there’s concern about job cuts.
Dog Recieves Parking Ticket!
In Australia, a Australian Cattle Dog called Curly was given a infringement
ticket for being ‘illegally’ parked!
The owner of the dog had left him outside market and said, “I couldn’t believe it when I found a ticket attached to his lead”.
The council’s Grant Fenton explained that any dog left alone is considered to be at ‘large’ and in violation of council by-laws. Lord Major Graeme Sawyer backed the decision.
Lotus’ New Engine!
Lotus are taking wraps of their new Range Extender engine, it’s a 1.2 litre aluminium engine.
The engine is both light and efficient. It will be sold to car manufacturers
wanting a quick route to the hybrid market, their can simply bolt on an electric motor onto engine.
Infinti Opens UK Showroom!
Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti have has revealed that there first UK showroom will be in Reading.
In the showroom will be a complete line up of new Infiniti models including Saloon, Coupe and Convertible versions of the G37 as well as the EX and FX crossover models.
The Reading showroom opens on the 12th September with new showrooms opening in Glasgow, Birmingham and London next year.
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