Archive for April, 2010
AA patrols bank holiday strike called off
The Independent Democratic Union (IDU), which represents AA patrols, has called off a threatened two-day strike on May 2 and 3. The move comes after talks resumed between the AA management and Union leaders in a bid to settle the dispute over pensions. The IDU has agreed to withdraw the planned strike action for the May Bank Holiday weekend [...]
Ford upgrades best-selling Fiesta and cuts emissions
Safety, technology and powertrain upgrades have been added to the Ford Fiesta range, the UK’s best-selling car. All newly-ordered Fiestas will have electronic stability programme (ESP) as standard, bringing Fiesta in line with Ford’s large and medium car line-ups. ESP previously cost around £300. Customers choosing the Studio series [...]
Mercedes G-Class to return to UK roads
After a decade away from Mercedes-Benz’s biggest right hand drive market, the G-Class is set to return to UK roads in the autumn, with a choice of diesel or supercharged petrol engines. Commenting on the return of the luxury off-roader, Dermot Kelly, managing director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: ‘Despite G-Class being the longest-serving [...]
Volcanic ash could damage vehicle paintwork
Motorists across the UK are being warned that the volcanic ash from the Icelandic eruption could damage vehicle paintwork. Car care firm Autoglym has assessed the composition of the ash and issued advice on how to safely remove microscopic residues that have already been deposited, as well as protect a vehicle from subsequent [...]
Increases in windscreen size and technology hits replacement costs
The introduction of tints, heating, solar reflection and GPS technology into the windscreens of modern production cars as standard has led to replacement costs increasing by as much as 68% in only 10 years, says Auto Windscreens. Added to this, the overall size of windscreens has increased dramatically making them more susceptible to stone chip [...]
New SMMT booklet highlights scale of UK motor industry
The full scope and scale of the UK motor industry has been highlighted with the publication of Motor Industry Facts 2010, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) annual pocket guide to the motor industry. Illustrating the role of the UK motor industry throughout the full lifecycle of a vehicle, the 2010 booklet includes facts [...]
Major engine revisions for Audi Q7 cut emissions and boost economy
Emissions, and in some cases engine capacities, in the new Audi Q7 range for 2011 have taken a significant tumble as part of the wider manufacturer’s initiative to optimise efficiency across its 36-model line-up. Thanks to the latest in supercharging, turbocharging and transmission technologies, the latest Q7 models match or exceed their [...]
Prices and specs revealed for all new Volvo S60
Prices and full specification details have been announced for the all-new Volvo S60, which is available to order now and will arrive in showrooms in July. Prices range from £23,295 for the D3 ES (163 PS) up to £36,745 for the top-of-the-range T6 AWD SE Lux Geartronic Premium. The all-new S60 is a four-door coupé and is claimed by the [...]
New Volkswagen Touran unveiled with new engines and technology
The new Volkswagen Touran has been unveiled at the Leipzig Motor Show and features fresh styling, pioneering technology and a range of new petrol and diesel engines. The compact MPV will go on sale in the UK in September with the first models arriving in October. Prices and specifications will be announced nearer the launch date. The new [...]
Blind spot now visible on new Ford S-Max and Galaxy models
Advanced radar technology is helping drivers of the Ford S-Max and Galaxy models, which went on sale this month, to detect vehicles hidden in their blind spot. Ford’s Blind Spot Information System detects when a vehicle enters a blind spot zone that is defined on either side of the car. An LED warning light illuminates in the corresponding [...]