February 2008- Motoring News

It’s been an eventful few weeks following Carol’s sacking incident and Jeremy Clarkson’s comments about PM Gordon Brown made MP’s disgusted and there was a public outcry for him to be sacked. Even though the comment was made on Australian TV, not British.
  It’s amazing what a bit of news coverage isn’t it!

Brit Motorshow To Be Axed?
The British Motorshow next summer could be cancelled in order to help save the motor industry. The 2012 show might also clash with the Olympics, it is feared. One suggestion is to have the show in 2011 instead , plans are due to be discussed by organisers, SMMT shortly.
Citroen Goes Back To The Future!
This striking looking car is an all-new premium car from Citroen, it revives the classic ‘DS’ badge and will spearhead a fresh range of premium DS-badged cars!
This is part of the brand’s transformation, which includes a revised badge as well as this a new range of premium models, starting with the C3-sized DS3 (below) in 2010.
 The ‘DS’ models will all feature hydraulic self-levelling suspension like the classic DS of the fifties. The DS3 is expected to cost around £12,000 and will rival the Mini & Alfa Romeo Mito.
Driver Power Survey!
It’s your last chance to tell Auto Express magazine about your car in the famous reliability survey, you could win a year’s worth of fuel. Enter online now at www.autoexpress.co.uk
MG Rover’s Longbridge Factory Gets £60 million Makeover!
 £60 million is been spent on the former MG Rover factory in Birmingham, this will create around 1,000 new jobs. Production of the limited-edition TFLE 500 will be joined by other models at the factory, which could include the Rover 45 replacement based on the Rover 75 platform, the Roewe 550, it will be a rival to the Ford Focus + should be on sale this November!

  MG 7 >>

Other future models like the MG3 (Rover 25-based), new MG5 and MG7, a Rover 75 based saloon. An all-new MG TF is due on sale in 2010.
Rights to the ‘Rover’ brand name have been bought by TATA, owners of Jaguar and Land Rover, so Rover badge cars could be making their way back to the UK, along with MG and Roewe badged Rover-based models. It’s all a bit confusing!

New Rolls-Royce To Wear Famous Badge?
Reports suggest the next Rolls-Royce, a smaller luxury car penned the RR4, could be called the ‘Silver Ghost’. This would mean a revival of the classic name, this would be big news. The original Silver Ghost was a luxury car of the early-1900’s.
Lagonda’s Return!
It’s about 18 years ago since the Lagonda went out of production in 1989. A new model will be shown at The Geneva Motorshow along with Aston’s new V12 Vantage.
It’s thought it’s a large limousine to rival Maybach and forth-coming baby Rolls-Royce!
This new model is expected to go on sale in 2011 costing around £160,000, hopefully it will be better looking than the old Lagonda.
THIS MONTH’S NEW CARS……
Starting small with the Peugeot 107 with it’s minor facelift like the C1 increasing efficiency and lowering Co2, in my opinion a smart move by Peugeot, the price? Around £7,000.
The small pocket rocket is here with 135, or 185bhp in the SS version, the Fiat 500 is one fast little hatchback. It has a lot of power from a turbocharged 1.4 litre engine it’s also has lowered suspension, side-skirts and scorpion badging and all for around £13,000 and it’s quite efficient as well!
There is the Porsche Cayenne diesel, Mazda 6 2.2 diesel and the Seat Ibiza ECOmotive, for those who want sheer simplicity and acceleration, try the British made Caterham R300! Don’t forget, Audi’s A4 Allroad, a compact SUV.

TV WATCH….
Catch the latest series of Fifth Gear Monday’s, 8pm on Channel Five.
Top Gear, Clarkson’s Motorworld & Fifth Gear repeats on Dave & now Dave+1 on Digital TV.
Note: A new series of Top Gear should be on our screens later this year, on BBC TWO.

  SEE YOU IN MARCH FOR MORE NEWS, IN THE MEANTIME DRIVE SAFETY!