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NISSAN GT-R

UPDATED NISSAN GT-R FOR EUROPE

• Engine power increase – up to 485PS (+5PS)
• Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres confirmed as standard fit
• ‘Storm White’ (Pearl) replaces original pearl white exterior colour
• Gun Metal RAYS Alloy wheels now fitted to GT-R and Premium editions
• Black RAYS alloy wheels for Black Edition
• Price now increased for all new orders (from 8 December 2008)

As production of the European specification Nissan GT-R begins in its Tochigi plant in Japan this month, a raft of small but significant changes have been made to the car as part of its kaizen – continuous improvement – philosophy.

The GT-R’s hand-built 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine has gained 5PS thanks to some fine tuning of its electronics, taking power output to 485PS, while torque remains unchanged at 588Nm. Additionally, Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres will be fitted as standard. The tyre was developed specifically for the GT-R and it combines grip and durability, as demonstrated during its ‘time-attack’ lap of the Nurburgring, which yielded a time of 7 minutes 29 seconds. And, just to improve the ride performance even further a modification has been carried out to the suspension spring rate settings. 

Another update sees the introduction of the Gun Metal grey coloured Rays seven-spoke alloy wheel design for the standard and Premium Edition GT-Rs, while the Black Edition will be fitted with the same design but, appropriately, in black. Additionally, customers can now choose a new pearl white called ‘Storm’ as an exterior colour – an eye-catching, deep white replacing the original pearl white which had a slightly darker shade.

For customers ordering now, the price of the GT-R will increase by £1995 and start from £56,795 on the road with a further £1300 for the Premium Edition (£58,095) and another £1300 for the Black Edition (£59,395). This represents an overall increase of 3.8 percent.

Deliveries of the GT-R will begin in April through a network of Nissan High Performance Centres, where customers will have contact with highly-trained staff who share their enthusiasm for the GT-R’s unique blend of accessible performance, striking design and state-of-the-art technology.

To date, Nissan has taken in excess of 2500 customer orders in Europe with 1200 coming from the UK. Any new customer orders should expect delivery in mid 2010.

 

Fiat 500byDiesel

500byDiesel Now Availability Exclusively Online

A special edition version of Fiat’s popular 500 city car has just gone on sale exclusively through the Internet.

The 500byDIESEL, a global limited edition run of just 10,000 examples, is the result of a collaboration between Fiat’s Style Centre in Turin and fashion label DIESEL’s design team. The idea was to create an ‘Urban Survival Vehicle’, perfect for town traffic, yet expressing the personality of its alternative young brand lovers.

500byDiesel represents Fiat’s first venture into selling vehicles via the web and follows the success of the Abarth 500 on-line deposit offer, which allowed customers to pre-order 200 of the performance supermini six months in advance of UK availability. All of these cars were allocated three months ahead of schedule.

Now, a new fully automated process allows customers to configure a 500byDIESEL, pay a deposit, order it direct from the factory, track the car’s progress, make a final payment and liaise with a geographically appropriate dealer about collecting the new vehicle – all on-line.

The 500byDIESEL Internet campaign is thus Fiat’s next step into e-commerce and purchasing, exclusively online through www.fiat.co.uk.

“This new route to market is an exciting and futuristic development for Fiat,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat UK. “The Fiat 500 is also a perfect fit for DIESEL and we are pleased to have this fantastic association with them.”

Based on a Fiat 500 Sport version, the 500byDIESEL comes in metallic green, black or brown. The exterior features 16-inch alloy wheels with the DIESEL logo, brake callipers painted yellow (an option only on the 100 bhp 1.4 version), unique side trim with DIESEL wording, and special door mirror fairings.

Inside, there’s special upholstery in denim fabric. The label logo also appears on the instrument panel and gear knob, while a special pouch, reminiscent of the fifth pocket on DIESEL jeans, appears on the side of the front seats. In-car entertainment comes courtesy of Fiat’s Blue&Me hands-free telecommunications and entertainment technology, which means the car is eco:Drive compatible.

The 500byDIESEL will be available with all three Euro 5-ready power units in the Fiat 500 range – the 69 bhp 1.2 unit, 75 bhp 1.3 MultiJet with DPF, and a 100 bhp 1.4 16v engine. Prices start at £11,150.

 

Toyota Avensis

Toyota Presents the New Avensis : Built in Britain

Key Points

• New generation of Toyota’s European flagship, built in Britain
• Saloon and tourer body styles, with sleek, athletic styling
• New Toyota Optimal Drive powertrains deliver lower emissions and more power
• All-new petrol engines and revised diesels
• Petrol units offered with new advanced continuously variable transmission
• Packed standard specification with four trim levels – T2, TR, T4 and T Spirit
• On-the-road prices from £15,760
• On sale from 1 January 2009

Introduction

The all-new, third generation Toyota Avensis delivers more style, higher performance, improved fuel economy and lower emissions. Toyota’s flagship model in Europe, built exclusively at its Burnaston factory in the UK, benefits from athletic, contemporary styling, superb build quality and advanced engineering.

New engines and transmissions have been developed using Toyota Optimal Drive technology to return significantly better fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to the previous generation model. New Valvematic petrol engines and revised D-4D and D-CAT clean diesel units balance driving pleasure with strong environmental performance and reduced running costs. Together they offer the private and company car driver all the power and comfort they are used to as well as the low emissions and fuel consumption they now demand.

New Avensis is available in saloon and tourer body styles with four equipment grades: T2, TR, T4, and T Spirit. All offer a high level of features for safety, comfort and convenience, with advanced features such as a Pre-Crash Safety system (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Assist/Lane Departure Warning (LKA/LDW) and premium satellite navigation system with built-in hard drive for storing music files available in the model for the first time.

UK sales of new Avensis start on 1 January with on-the-road prices from £15,760.

New 1.8 and 2.0-litre Valvematic engines – more power for less fuel

Valvematic is an innovation based on Toyota’s proven dual Variable Valve timing – intelligent (dual VVT-i) technology. In addition to the variable timing of the inlet and outlet valves, Valvematic adds a lift control system that continuously varies the lift of the inlet valves to better control the volume and speed of the intake airflow. This provides a breakthrough in combustion efficiency that ultimately delivers more power for less fuel.

Across the range the new 1.8 and 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol engines achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of between 10 and 26 per cent, while at the same time increasing power by between three and 20 per cent, compared to the VVT-i engines used by the previous generation Avensis.

Revised D-4D and D-CAT diesel engines – up to 10% lower emissions

New Avensis offers customers one of the most comprehensive ranges of diesel engines in the D-segment, all of them benefiting from Toyota Optimal Drive technology. Entry point is the 2.0-litre D-4D 130, followed by the 2.2-litre D-4D and D-CAT 150 as mid-power options, and the 2.2 D-CAT 180 as the higher power unit (the D-CAT 150 engine with automatic transmission will join the range in spring 2009).

The challenge was to develop these engines to give excellent performance and low CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, while at the same time achieving a substantial reduction in the level of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. Together the new diesel engine technology features deliver a reduction in CO2 and fuel consumption levels between one and 10 per cent compared to the previous generation Avensis; the 2.2-litre D-4D 150 and 2.2-litre 150/180 D-CAT engines all meet Euro V emissions standards.

Advanced new transmissions – diesel automatic for the first time

New Avensis uses a range of advanced transmissions that strike a balance between responsiveness, smoothness and fuel efficiency.

Multidrive S, Toyota’s new and advanced continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available with the 1.8 and 2.0-litre Valvematic petrol engines. And for the first time on a Toyota diesel passenger car, a six-speed automatic will be available, offered on the 2.2-litre D-CAT 150.

All petrol engines are fitted with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission, while the diesel engines are matched to the proven six-speed manual gearbox featured in the previous generation Avensis.

 

Hyundai i20

More for less – Hyundai reveals i20 prices

• New supermini undercuts mainstream rivals by more than £1,000
• Standard air-con, six airbags and five-year warranty
• Prices start at just £8,195

January sales might have started early on the high street, but anyone buying a small car could well wonder what’s happened to small prices. The cost of hatchbacks has crept so far upwards that a mid-range supermini now typically costs more than five-figures.

But Hyundai i20 buyers are set to be pleasantly surprised. Despite having exceptional levels of space, quality and safety – plus dynamics which can take on and beat the best from Europe and Japan – the little Hyundai is still priced at least £1,000 lower than mainstream rivals.

When it goes on sale in the new year, the entry level 1.2-litre Classic will start at just £8,195 for the three-door with a five door costing an extra £450. Despite the low price, all i20s are equipped with air-conditioning, six airbags, active head restraints, remote locking, electric front windows and an aux-in socket. In addition there is the reassurance of Hyundai’s Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty – unique in this class.

The mid-range Comfort model – expected to be the best seller and starting at £8,995 – adds 15-inch alloy wheels, body colour door mirrors and handles, electric rear windows, full iPod integration, steering wheel mounted audio controls, a trip computer and a six-speaker system.

Flagship of the i20 range is the Style, equipped with 16-inch alloys, climate control, part-leather upholstery, metal-look facia and front fog lights.

There is plenty of new technology under the bonnet too. The i20 debuts with two new petrol and diesel engines, starting with an advanced 78PS 1.2-litre ‘Kappa’ petrol which is expected to be the range’s biggest seller. Its CO2 rating of just 124g/km is around 15g less than similarly-sized petrol engines from rivals and it returns 54.3 mpg on the combined cycle.

Next up in the range is a 1.4-litre, 100PS 1.4-litre petrol borrowed from the i30. In the i20 it returns 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and produces 133g/km – better that some rivals’ 1.0-litre engines!

Meeting the demand for low-emission, high economy diesel power, the i20’s all-new CRDi engines both have a 1.4-litre capacity and offer 75PS or 90PS. Emissions and fuel economy figures are exceptional – at just 116g/km and 64.2 mpg for the 75PS version and 118g/km and 62.8 mpg for the larger-wheeled 90PS model. This places both i20 diesels in band ‘B’ for VED, making a tax disc cost just £35/year. Furthermore, company car drivers will find they are taxed for benefit-in-kind at just 13% – offering significant savings for those wanting to downsize.

And just because it’s smaller, doesn’t mean it’s less safe. It is Hyundai’s aim to make the i20 the safest car in the supermini class. The company doesn’t believe safety should be limited to the more expensive models in the range either – Active Head Restraints and a total of six airbags are standard on all i20s.

 

Honda Insight

Honda Insight : Production Car Image Released

Honda has released the first photograph of the production version of the all-new Insight hybrid, which makes its world debut in January 2009, at the Detroit Motor Show.

This first image of the US version of Honda’s affordable family hybrid shows how the new five-passenger, five-door Insight will look, when it goes on sale in the UK in spring 2009.

Honda aims to sell 200,000 Insights globally, per year. The hatchback will be the first of a new family of Honda hybrids, followed by a production version of the CR-Z concept sportscar, and a Jazz hybrid .

 

 

 

Audi A5 Cabriolet

Audi A5 Coupe Inspires All-New Cabriolet Range

Elegant coupe lines blend with fast-retracting soft-top to create beautiful and practical new Audi Cabriolet

• New A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet models due to open for order in early 2009 for first UK deliveries next spring – A5 OTR prices expected to start at just under £30,000, S5 at approximately £42,000
• Lightweight soft-top opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph – acoustic roof option brings cabin noise close to fixed head levels
• New neck-level heating option for open-top driving on cooler days, solar heat reflecting upholstery keeps seats cool during sun exposure
• Initially available in the UK with two FSI direct injection petrol engines and one TDI diesel – 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 3.2 FSI 265PS, 3.0 TDI 240PS
• S5 adopts much praised new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 TFSI unit with 333PS in place of the familiar naturally aspirated V8
• 3.0 TDI and S5 models feature quattro four-wheel-drive as standard – other models are front-wheel-driven - 2.0 TFSI 211PS and 3.2 FSI offer quattro as an option
• Manual, S tronic twin-clutch and multitronic CVT transmissions
• Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system includes option of new quattro sport differential for selected models

The Audi A5 with a sunnier disposition - the new A5 Cabriolet - is set to make its UK debut next spring, and will be closely followed by a new S5 Cabriolet flagship. Priced from just under £30,000, and available to order from February, the striking four-seat A5 soft-top range capitalizes on the space maximizing extended wheelbase length and state-of-the art engines, transmissions and chassis configuration that have secured success for the A5 Coupé.

Roof up or down, the A5 Cabriolet makes light work of transporting up to four adults in comfort thanks to its extended wheelbase, which helps to maximize cabin space. When the soft top is in place, a best-in-class luggage capacity of 380 litres also enables easy accommodation of luggage for four, and in topless mode the roof stowage compartment only marginally reduces this impressive total to 320 litres. Thanks to the standard split/folding rear seat back a maximum capacity of 750 litres can be accessed if required.

Supercharged S5 Cabriolet heads range

The ultimate specification will of course belong to the new S5 Cabriolet, which is due to join the UK range soon after the A5 Cabriolet models priced at approximately £42,000. The S5 will ride lower than standard versions on specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension and 19-inch ‘S’ design alloy wheels. Aluminium-look door mirrors, Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear LED lamps, special ‘S’ front and rear styling treatments and black painted brake callipers bearing the S5 logo will also be distinguishing features.

The S5 adopts the very latest supercharged V6 TFSI engine, which combines an impressive 333PS power output, giving 5.6-second 0-62mph potential, with outstanding fuel economy that makes up to 29.4mpg possible (provisional figure, combined cycle). The S tronic twin-clutch transmission and quattro four-wheel-drive are standard features, the latter offering the option of the sports differential for maximum driving pleasure.

 

Bologna Motor Show 2008

Volkswagen at the Bologna Motorshow 2008

Volkswagen is presenting a range of new models at the Bologna Motor Show including the world premieres of the second-generation Golf Plus, the race derived Scirocco Studie R concept and the LPG-powered Golf BiFuel.

Golf Plus

The second-generation Golf Plus makes its world debut in Bologna, with styling revisions forging a link to the design of the new, sixth generation Golf hatchback. Equipped with a range of highly-efficient petrol and common rail diesel engines with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions, the new Golf Plus reaches new levels of quality and refinement while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class.

Scirocco Studie R

Volkswagen’s latest design study, the Scirocco Studie R, premieres at Bologna and is inspired by the Scirocco GT24 which raced to success in its class at the Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race earlier this year. Finished in white, the Studie R has contrasting high-gloss black detailing and styling accents in red and green to the wing mirrors and on the ‘Bologna ‘08’ badging, paying homage to the Show’s host nation.

Three large air intakes at the front aid cooling to the uprated 2.0-litre 270 PS engine, while a front splitter is designed to minimise lift. The rear is dominated by a large rear wing and a distinctive revised rear bumper which incorporates a diffuser and twin oval exhausts. The Studie R is fitted with racing-derived sports suspension and four-piston brake callipers sit behind specially developed bespoke polished five arm, triple spoke 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, the Scirocco Studie R is upholstered with black and white nappa leather and complemented with low- and high-gloss carbonfibre trim. The Italian-inspired red and green design accents continue on the seams of the Recaro seats, steering wheel, armrest, gearknob and floor mats.

Golf BiFuel

The third Volkswagen making its debut in Bologna is the Golf BiFuel which has been specifically developed to run on both LPG and conventional petrol. The factory-built hatchback is fitted with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder 98 PS engine which, in conventional petrol mode, returns 39.8 mpg and emits 149 g/km of carbon dioxide. When run on LPG, the Golf BiFuel has a theoretical range of more than 260 miles, and this emissions figure is reduced by ten per cent.

The engine fitted to the Golf BiFuel has been specifically configured and tested for LPG operation making it more durable than modified petrol engines. The vehicle, with both petrol and LPG fuel tanks, has also undergone extensive crash-testing making it safer than aftermarket alternatives.

Passat CC Individual

Volkswagen is also showcasing the Passat CC Individual which features a number of bespoke styling upgrades. The four-door coupé is presented in pearl effect ‘Moonlight Blue’, with newly designed 18-inch ‘Chicago Black’ alloy wheels and ‘Individual’ badging.

The interior of the Passat CC Individual is fitted with six-way power comfort seats upholstered with two-tone soft and nappa leather, complemented by piano black trim and an extended chrome package which includes chrome bezels on the door handles and switches for the electric windows and mirrors. Subtle ‘Individual’ badging continues with illuminated tread plates in the front and rear doors.

The Passat CC is the fourth ‘Individual’ model shown by Volkswagen, following the Eos, Passat and Touareg.

Passat TSI EcoFuel – Italian premiere

Making its Italian debut, the Passat TSI Ecofuel is fitted with the world’s first turbo direct-injection engine developed and configured to operate with natural gas. These developments enable the Passat TSI EcoFuel to run efficiently on both natural gas and petrol and to offer economy and low emissions with no detrimental effect on performance.

Accelerating from a standstill to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds and with a maximum speed of 130 mph the 1.4-litre 150 PS engine, coupled with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG gearbox, emits just 119 g/km of CO2 while developing 220 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm. A theoretical range of more than 300 miles using only natural gas is supplemented by a 31-litre reserve tank for conventional petrol which offers an additional 260 miles.

 

Volkswagen Golf Plus

New Golf Plus Premieres at the Bologna Motorshow

Volkswagen has today unveiled the second generation Golf Plus at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy.

The updated design of the new Golf Plus forges a link to the bodystyle of the sixth generation Golf hatchback and gives a distinctive and dynamic appearance. The front is dominated by the horizontally aligned band of the radiator grille with two high-gloss black cross-bars and an integrated Volkswagen roundel, between revised headlights.

Exterior styling revisions continue with a slightly lower profile than the previous generation and with newly designed integrated roof rails. At the rear, the new Golf Plus has a fully colour-coded redesigned bumper and revised ‘cherry red’ rear lights incorporating LED technology. The exterior styling modifications are complemented by a range of new wheel and tyre options, including 18-inch ‘Bilbao’ alloy wheels from Volkswagen Individual.

Inside the cabin, further improvements have been made and the new Golf Plus reaches a new level of quality while continuing to be one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class. New upholstery materials and details are carried over from the new Golf, while clearly defined white backlit instruments, with brushed chrome surrounds, steering wheel options and air conditioning systems are similar to those in the new Golf and Passat CC.

Engines are still to be confirmed but a range of advanced petrol and diesels add further refinement to the revised model, with improved levels of fuel economy and reduced emissions. Both petrol and diesel models are linked to either a five- or six-speed manual or a six- or seven-speed DSG gearbox.

One petrol option will be a 1.4-litre 122 PS TSI engine which is forecast to return 44.8 mpg with carbon dioxide emissions of 146 g/km and a top speed of 124 mph. Common rail TDI engines, all fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will be available with outputs between 90 PS and 140 PS. The 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS has a top speed of 127 mph, and is expected to emit just 135 g/km while returning 55.4 mpg.

For the first time on the Golf Plus, Volkswagen’s ParkAssist will be offered. This system has the ability to operate the steering automatically during reverse parallel parking manoeuvres. A rear-view camera, mounted behind the Volkswagen roundel on the bootlid, is also available as an option. The system, currently available on the new Golf, Tiguan and Passat CC, transmits an image and graphic guidelines to the dash-mounted radio or navigation screen to assist with parking.

Prices, engines and specifications for the new Golf Plus will be announced closer to the vehicle’s UK launch in Spring 2009.

 

Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet

More Power, Less Fuel, Lower Emissions

Fiat has just extended its popular Bravo mid-size hatchback range with the introduction of a more powerful yet more economical and lower emissions engine, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to the production of increasingly environmentally-friendly cars.

The 5-door Bravo range will now benefit from a new 165 bhp 2.0 MultiJet unit which features a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and is type-approved to Euro 5 standards, ahead of the 2009 deadline.

The new version, available in Sport and Dynamic specification, is not just ‘greener’ – it further underscores the liveliness, flexibility and driving pleasure that have always been features of the Bravo. Fiat’s new 2.0 MultiJet is a logical evolution of the 1.9 MultiJet, which it will progressively replace. Main benefits are greater performance (torque increased to 360 Nm, and power up to 165 bhp), reduced emissions (down to just 139 g/km) and lower fuel consumption (53 mpg over the combined cycle).

Compared with the 1.9 MultiJet, an increase in cubic capacity has been achieved by increasing the cylinder bore; while a reduction in compression ratio has made it possible to achieve a substantial reduction in NOx levels. A new type of low voltage spark plug allows starting with the minimum pre-heating time.

Compliance with Euro 5 is guaranteed by the use of a close-coupled DPF that is standard on both versions, and by an advanced exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) with all its sub-components packaged into one small element (EGR module).

Despite a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, the Bravo 2.0 MultiJet boasts category-topping performance: top speed is 134 mph and acceleration from 0-62 mph takes just 8.2 seconds. Economy is further improved with long service intervals that confirm the impressive reliability achieved by Fiat’s MultiJet engines.

The new 2.0 MultiJet is another example of class-leading products that have been introduced since the Bravo’s launch, which make the model a benchmark in its category in terms of style, substance and state-of-the-art technology. Others include the introduction of the powerful T-Jet turbocharged petrol engine range, the remarkable 1.6 MultiJet diesel engine, and the introduction of the innovative Dualogic sequential gearbox.

Leading safety credentials for driver and passengers are offered on the Euro NCAP 5-star-rated Bravo courtesy of a standard ESP (Electronic Stability Program), the option of the ‘Blue&Me’ hands-free communication, information and entertainment system, and Blue&Me Nav, an ultra-efficient pictogram navigation system.

The new Bravo 2.0 MultiJet starts at £16,855 OTR for the Dynamic, rising to £17,155 OTR for the Sport

 

Ford Kuga

Ford Adds Economy, Power and Convenience to the new Kuga Range

• Three new range additions
• 2.0-litre TDCi 2WD - 159g/km CO2
• 2.5-litre Duratec – 200PS and 320Nm
• Five-speed automatic option on 2.5-litre Duratec

Ford is set to expand the appeal of the popular Kuga crossover with the addition of three new models providing lower CO2, automatic transmission, and greater power and torque. 

Retaining the style and refinement of the existing Kuga 2.0-litre TDCi, but with a CO2 output of just 159g/km, the new front-wheel-drive version delivers both enhanced fuel economy and cost benefits for business users.

As legislation changes in April next year, Kuga 2WD will especially benefit business customers who will be eligible for a 20 per cent annual write down allowance against Corporation Tax for a car with less than 160g/km CO2 (compared with 10 per cent over 160g/km).  Customers will also benefit from the model’s improved fuel economy as it falls into the new sub-160g/km banding for Vehicle Excise Duty.

Ford has also added new performance flagships to the Kuga range, pairing intelligent AWD with the acclaimed 2.5-litre Duratec engine found in the Focus ST, Mondeo and S-MAX. With 200PS and linear torque of 320Nm (between 1,600 and 4,000rpm) the five-cylinder petrol-engined Kuga powers from standstill to 62mph in just 8.2sec and on to a top speed of 129mph when mated with the six-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic transmission is alternatively available with this engine.

Downsizing is a relatively recent market development. The Kuga 2.5-litre petrol targets those customers migrating from large SUVs who are unwilling to sacrifice performance and style. The large SUV segment in particular has fallen substantially year on year.

Optional run-flat tyres add to the array of premium features, which also include rear- facing reversing camera, panorama glass roof and DAB radio.