Archive for December, 2009
New engine added to Volkswagen Scirocco line-up
A new entry-level engine option has been added to the two-door compact coupé Volkswagen Scirocco line-up - a 1.4 litre TSI 122 PS engine, with prices starting at £18,860 on-the-road. The unit develops 147 lbs ft of torque channelled via a six-speed manual gearbox, through the front wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes 9.7 seconds [...]
Peugeot extends 207 line-up
Peugeot has added two new engines to its three and five-door 207 hatchback Verve line-up. Currently available with a 1.4 litre 8v 75 bhp petrol and 1.4 litre HDi 70 diesel engines, the new engines joining the line-up in January are a 1.4 VTi 95 bhp petrol and 1.6 HDi 90 diesel engine. The 1.4 VTi 95 bhp petrol has maximum power of 95 bhp at [...]
EC launches Block Exemption consultation
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its review of competition rules for motor vehicle sector - the so-called Block Exemption - and guidelines on motor vehicle sales and repair agreements. The current Block Exemption, which governs the relationship between motor manufacturers and their dealer network, is due to expire [...]
Saab sale off: manufacturer to be wound down
General Motors says that the intended sale of its Saab subsidiary would not be concluded and the Swedish manufacturer will be wound down. After the withdrawal of Koenigsegg Group AB last month, GM had been in discussions with Spyker Cars about its interest in acquiring Saab. During the due diligence, certain issues arose that both parties [...]
Citroën reveals prices for new DS3 supermini
Citroën has released prices and specification details for its new three-door supermini, the DS3, which will go on sale next spring. DS3 is the first model from Citroën’s new DS line, which will consist of three distinctively styled, ‘attention grabbing’ cars - DS3, DS4 and DS5. DS3 will be offered in three new Citroën trim levels - [...]
SEAT wins CAP’s ‘most improved brand of the decade title’
SEAT has been named the ‘most improved used car brand of the decade’ with the 1998-2005 Ford Focus named the ‘used car of the decade’ in awards from residual value experts at CAP Motor Research. The Focus also won the ‘best medium used family car of the decade’ title with other sector winners being: ‘small used car of the [...]
Ford to debts new S-Max and Galaxy models at Brussels show
Ford will debut new versions of the S-Max and Galaxy at the 2010 Brussels Motor Show, which opens on January 13. Kicking off a year of new product introductions from Ford, the two models display new interior materials and features, a range of more efficient powertrains and a host of driver focused technologies aimed at improving safety and [...]
Fleets take part in electric Mini trial
Mini has launched the much-touted six-month trial of its electric vehicle option with 20 of the vehicles being tested by fleets. The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Southern and Scottish Energy, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are trialling 20 of the Mini E cars in a fleet environment. Meanwhile, 40 Mini E [...]
Peugeot invests in new technology to cut emissions
Peugeot confirmed its commitment to provide future sustainable mobility and cut vehicle emissions at a press conference for the ‘Bright Green’ Event at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which ended this week. With 50% of its European sales in the first nine months of this year having carbon dioxide emissions below [...]
Drivers’ use of mobile phones on the increase
More drivers are using hand-held mobile phones than before tougher penalties were introduced in 2007, according to research by TRL (Transport Research Laboratory). The fourth annual London mobile phone survey by TRL saw researchers observe drivers of cars, taxis and vans at 33 locations in London. A total of 11,851 cars and taxis and 2,410 vans [...]