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Porsche to build 918 Spyder
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:05:00 GMT)
Porsche is to put its stunning 918 Spyder into production, the company has confirmed.
Revealed as a concept car at this year's Geneva motor show earlier this year, the 918 Spyder is a two-seat, ultra-high-performance, mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology.
Porsche claims it's capable of 94mpg and CO2 emissions of just 70g/km, but can blast from 0-62mph in just 3.2 seconds and around the Nurburgring in Germany in less than 7.5 minutes.
Michael Macht, president and chairman of the board of management of Porsche said: 'Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts.'
Further details about the 918 Spyder will be confirmed soon, but the concept car was powered by a V8 engine delivering more than 500bhp, and three electric motors with an overall output of 215bhp.
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Top 10 ways to cut car insurance bills
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:24:00 GMT)
Car insurance premiums are rocketing.
Uninsured drivers, insurance scams and high-risk drivers are to blame, but you don't have to accept an increase in your premium as inevitable.
Do some homework, spend a little time on the internet and telephone, and you could see your bill going down, not up.
Our top 10 tips to beat the insurance increase
• Shop around online
It's the simplest tip, but the one that could save you the most money. Use comparison sites to narrow down providers, but don't assume that this is as cheap as your premium can get. That’s where the next tip comes in.
• Get them to fight for your cash
Phone the companies to see if they can beat the online quote. Don’t forget to contact insurers, like Direct Line, that aren’t on comparison sites.
• Mum and dad
Young drivers can save money by going on their parents' policy, but if they're the main driver of the car in question, they could get in trouble for 'fronting' – where an older, more experienced and lower-risk motorist is insured as the 'main driver' of a vehicle. Young drivers who put their mum and dad on their policy as additional drivers could still lower their premium because their parents are lower risk drivers.
• Find a friendly female
Like mum and dad, women are also considered lower risk than men, so men adding a female driver to the policy could also get a reduction in their premium.
• Drive other cars
You might think having access to other cars would increase your premium, but the opposite can be true. Try putting a partner's car on the policy – or a friend's or mum and dad's – and see what happens.
• Realistic values
There's no point insuring a £5000 car for £50,000. Your premium will rocket and you certainly won't get £50,000 for your Ford Focus in the event of a write-off.
• £9995, not £10,000
Drop the value of your car by a few pounds and you premium may fall.
• Extras and excess
Cutting back on extras such as breakdown recovery and European cover will reduce bills, but it might prove misguided if you're likely to need these services. The same goes for the excess – increasing the amount you pay before the insurance company puts its hand in its pockets will cut premiums, but if you make a claim, it can come back to bite you.
• Pay up front
Insurers will charge interest if you pay monthly, so settling in full up front will be cheaper.
• Limit your driving
Agreeing to a lower-mileage limit should also reduce your costs. The Young Marmalade scheme, which rolls a car and insurance into one package – and limits driving at night when young motorists are at increased risk – could also help cut bills for young drivers.
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Electric/plug-in car grant to go ahead
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:45:00 GMT)
The £5000 Government payment towards the price of an electric or plug-in hybrid car will go ahead next year.
There had been concerns that the grant would be scrapped as part of wide-ranging cuts to be detailed in the comprehensive spending review this October.
A statement from the Department for Transport said: 'Exceptionally, the Government has agreed the announcement of this incentive ahead of the completion of the spending review to support the early market for ultra-low-carbon cars.'
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV city car will cost £33,699 with the grant, while the larger Nissan Leaf, due in February next year, will cost £23,500 with the incentive.
Enough cash for 8600 cars
Although the level of the scheme will be reviewed in January 2012, the £5000 offer is set until March 2012, so the Vauxhall Ampera plug-in car will also benefit and cost around £30,000.
In all, £43 million is available for the first phase of the scheme up to March 2012 – enough for 8600 cars. The full £5000 is available as long as it does'nt exceed 25% of the list price of the car, something that doesn't affect any of the current or forthcoming models.
The discount will be applied at the point of sale, so car buyers won't have to pay the full amount first and then claim the money back. There is no limit to the number of cars you can buy and receive the incentive on, and the scheme is open to both private individuals and companies.
Cars will have to meet safety and performance criteria
Anyone wanting to claim the grant will have to buy a car that meets the following criteria:
• It must be a car – not quad bike-based vehicles such as the G-Wiz;
• Emit a maximum of 75g/km of CO2 if it's a plug-in hybrid;
• Have a minimum range of 70 miles if it's an electric-only vehicle;
• Have a minimum battery-powered range of 10 miles if a plug-in hybrid;
• Have a three-year or 75,000-mile warranty;
• Have a three-year warranty on the battery or a five-year warranty if requested by the customer;
• It must retain 'a reasonable degree of performance after a three-year period of normal use'.
Find out more about electric cars and plug-ins
Type 'electric' or 'plug-in' into our search box and you'll find lots of information on electric cars on whatcar.com, from first drives and videos to announcements on new electric models.
Here's a quick taster of what's on offer on whatcar.com:
• All about electric cars
• Nissan Leaf on video
• Nissan Leaf driven
• Vauxhall Ampera on video
• Vauxhall Ampera driven
• Plug-in Prius trials start
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Seat Ibiza ST prices revealed
(Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:34:00 GMT)
Seat has revealed prices for its new Ibiza ST estate.
Available to order now in S A/C, SE and Sport trims, prices start at £12,070 for the entry-level 1.4-litre 84bhp petrol model.
Prices top out at £14,910 for the 74bhp 1.2 TDI CR Ecomotive in SE trim.
With the seats in place, the ST has 430 litres of luggage space, 138 more than the five – door Ibiza. A Skoda Fabia estate has more space, but the Ibiza is on a par with the Renault Clio and beats the Peugeot 207 SW.
Standard kit for all cars includes air-conditioning, an MP3-compatible CD player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Electric front windows, speed-sensitive power steering and remote central locking with deadlocks are also standard.
More photos of the Seat Ibiza ST
What we think of the Seat Ibiza ST...
Read our 'first drive' review of the new Seat Ibiza ST.
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Audi product avalanche continues
(Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:45:00 GMT)
Audi has just launched the A7 Sportback and there's plenty more to come.
Audi's technical director, Michael Dick, confirmed there will be a hot S7 version of the car, but we can also reveal the forthcoming Q3 crossover and next-generation A6 pictured in these computer-generated images.
The Q3 arrives in 2011 and will be available in front- and four-wheel drive, while the A6 will borrow much from the A7 and go on sale next spring.
As well as being built on the same platform as the A7, the A6 will also follow the look of the A5 Sportback with its interior and exterior styling.
There will also be the electric sports car, battery-powered supermini and the R4 baby brother to the R8 that we've previously revealed.
42 models by 2015
The relentless release schedule means Audi will have 42 models in its line-up by 2015, a world away from 1978 when it offered just two – the 80 and 100.
Computer-generated image of the Audi Q3 Audi boss Rupert Stadler said the increase in the number of models on offer would help to bolster strong sales which, so far this year, have hit record levels of 550,000 vehicles.
Increased demand from China will play a large part in future sales, but Audi boss Stadler is also confident the global economy is now past its lowest point.
'We have new products, refreshed cars and we have more to come. The world economy has momentum and we have the right products. Yes, there are countries with debts that are still not resolved, but any fall will not be as severe as we have come through already. I am optimistic.'
Read our exclusive interview with the man in overall charge of the design of all of these cars, as well as Lamborghini, Seat and VW, Walter de Silva.
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Earn money renting out your car?
(Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:38:00 GMT)
An online scheme that rents out your car to other motorists could earn you cash, but if you owe finance on the vehicle you could end up in hot water instead, according to the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA).
Whipcar.com connects you with drivers looking to rent a car, and is designed to make the process safe and easy by checking their credentials and organising insurance.
Legal issues
This will work if you own your car outright, but the FLA has raised concerns about using such a service if you've taken out a finance agreement. It believes that motorists could be illegally renting their vehicles without realising the implications.
Whipcar.com recognises the issue in its terms and conditions, but there's nothing in the website's frequently asked questions about the potential problem.
Car could be repossessed
The head of motor finance at the FLA, Paul Harrison, said: 'If a customer hires out a car to a third party without the knowledge of the lender, then this is fraud and they'd be in breach of their agreement. The lender might seek to recover the car.'
At least one driver has already fallen foul of the regulations. A Motability customer who publicised his use of Whipcar.com in a magazine has had his finance agreement cancelled and his car collected.
Until finance has been fully satisfied, the car remains the legal property of the finance provider, even if the customer is listed on the V5C logbook as the registered keeper.
Tax evasion
In addition to having their car seized, motorists who illegally sub-let could be required to cover the cost of terminating their finance agreement early. It is also the owner's responsibility to declare any money that is earned through hiring their car to the Inland Revenue, or face the threat of a fine at a later date.
The FLA has more information and advice on its website.
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What Car? Q&A session
(Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:45:00 GMT)
The What Car? live question and answer session has now ended. Don't worry, though, simply click below to replay the entire event.
If you missed today's session, make sure you log on next Tuesday because we'll be doing it all over again.
Our team should be able to cover all subjects, whether it's a new car, used car or a problem with your current car. However, some questions might be too involved to sort out in a single lunchtime. We'll let you know what to do if so.
Answering your questions today were:
Answering your questions were...
• Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
• Steve Huntingford: What Car road tester
• Matt Sanger: What Car? Used car editor
• Barnaby Jones: What Car? deputy production editor
Live What Car? Q&A
The What Car? live Q&A session runs from 1pm to 2pm today. Please enter your questions below.
Peter Lawton:
whatcar.com deputy editor Steve Huntingford:
What Car? Road tester Matt Sanger:
What Car? Used car editor Euan Doig:
What Car? Production editor
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What Car? Q&A live now
(Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:45:00 GMT)
Click below to log-on to the latest live What Car? question and answer session. It's live between 1pm and 2pm today and all your motoring-related questions are welcome.
Simply type your question in the box below and our team of What Car? experts will post a reply as soon as possible. Be patient, though, it might take a few minutes.
Our team should be able to cover all subjects, whether it's a new car, used car or a problem with your current car. However, some questions might be too involved to sort out in a single lunchtime. We'll let you know what to do if so.
Answering your questions today were:
Answering your questions today will be the following What Car? team members:
• Peter Lawton: whatcar.com deputy editor
• Steve Huntingford: What Car road tester
• Matt Sanger: What Car? Used car editor
• Barnaby Jones: What Car? deputy production editor
Live What Car? Q&A
The What Car? live Q&A session runs from 1pm to 2pm today. Please enter your questions below.
Peter Lawton:
whatcar.com deputy editor Steve Huntingford:
What Car? Road tester Matt Sanger:
What Car? Used car editor Euan Doig:
What Car? Production editor
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Audi confirms small electric car
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:10:00 GMT)
Audi will put an electric city car into production, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler has confirmed.
It has already committed to having an electric sports car on sale in limited numbers by 2012, sold under the e-tron moniker.
However, speaking at the launch of the Audi A7 Sportback in Munich, Stadler admitted for the first time that a mass-market supermini was planned.
It is not clear if this will be an electric version of the Audi A1 or a smaller vehicle, already dubbed the Audi Zero, both for its size and place in the product line up, and its mooted tailpipe emissions.
Notably, Audi is not expected to sell a spin off version of the VW Up city car in the same way brand stablemates Skoda and Seat are.
'Almost certainly, yes, we will have a small electric car. It is being investigated,' Stadler told What Car?
'What we then need are customers willing to pay a premium these vehicles demand.'
Stadler predicted it will be 'three to five' years before the market is ready for such a car.
'What is important is that we believe there will be a time when such vehicles are viable,' said Stadler.
'We are a technical company planning technical solutions, but we are also entrepreneurial, so we are planning for a changing market when customers will be ready.
'Then in 10 years time I see a point where we have clean energy too. Then the situation will be perfect.'
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New Audi A7 Sportback revealed
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:00:00 GMT)
The new Audi A7 Sportback has been revealed. As its name suggests, it will sit between the A6 and A8 in Audi’s range and cost from £42,925 when it goes on sale next month.
The looks Audi's rival to the BMW 5 Series GT and Mercedes CLS remain very similar to the Audi A7 Sportback concept, that was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit motor show.
It’s billed as a five-door coupe and continues the growing trend for blurring traditional car classes.
Although it goes on sale next month, it will not be available for delivery in the UK until January 2011. However, customers ordering before January 4 will avoid the 2.5 per cent VAT hike.
The Audi A7 Sportback is 497cm long, 191cm wide but only 142cm high. By comparison, the BMW 5 Series GT is 3cm longer, 1cm narrower and 14cm higher, while the Mercedes is 5cm shorter, 4cm narrower and 1cm taller.
The boot can hold 535 litres of luggage seats up, or 1390 litres with the seats folded down. The 5-series GT can hold 440 litres seats up and 1700 litres seats down while 505 litres is available behind the fixed seats of the CLS.
The Audi A7 Sportback will go on sale with two petrol and two diesel V6 engines initially, ranging in power from 201bhp to 256bhp. Torque ranges from 207lb ft 369lb ft. All engines are mated to energy recuperation and stop-start systems to improve efficiency.
More photos of the Audi A7
Two trim levels are available - SE and S Line. Standard kit will include xenon headlights, LED rear lights, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, climate control, electric seat adjustment, heated front seats, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, sat-nav, iPod connection, DAB radio and Bluetooth connection.
The aluminium-and-steel A7 Sportback is said to be particularly light and safe, and has an especially quiet cabin. Buyers can opt for 18-, 19- or 20-inch alloys, and adaptive air suspension. Audi also says a new electromechanical power steering system greatly improves driver feel.
Technology on the car includes active lane assist to stop a driver veering off course, and a park assist system that steers the car into spaces automatically. It also has all-weather headlights, which replace the traditional fog light, and a head-up display that projects information onto the windscreen so the driver doesn’t have to take their eyes off the road.
The touchpad sat-nav screen first seen on the new Audi A8, which allows the driver to write a destination on the screen with their finger, will also be available. The sat-nav can also use Google Earth images to enhance the mapping.
The interior is described by Audi as having ‘workmanship at a craftsman’s level’, and is significant because many of the design touches and materials will be used in the new A6. It can be enhanced by options including ventilated, massaging front seats and ambient lighting.
Mechanically, the Audi A7 is a blend of the current Audi A6 and Audi A8 models, although its floorplan will be shared with the next Audi A6 with an identical wheelbase.
An updated Mercedes CLS is expected to be unveiled at the Paris motor show in September.
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Everest climber Norris fronts Juke
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:30:00 GMT)
Land Rover recruited Victoria Beckham to back its new Evoque and now Nissan has enrolled the help of Everest-climbing Bonita Norris to assist in the launch its new Juke crossover.
Norris is the youngest British woman to climb the world’s highest peak and has been picked as the face of the Juke, which will be built plant at the company’s factory in Sunderland.
‘I’m delighted to back the launch of the Nissan Juke because I believe in backing British,’ said Norris.
So far more than two thousand orders have been placed for the Juke, which sits below the popular Qashqai in the Nissan range.
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Porsche to test electric Boxster in 2011
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:19:00 GMT)
Porsche will start tests of a pure electric sports car in 2011, with a view to eventually adding a battery-powered model to its range.
The electric Boxster will begin testing next year to help Porsche better understand the behaviour of electric car drivers and the infrastructure required to support them.
It will join other development programmes within Porsche, such as the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid concept.
Porsche boss Michael Macht said: 'We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in the future. Such a concept only makes sense if it offers performance and a cruising range comparable to that of a sports car today.'
Porsche's Cayenne hybrid already offers buyers the chance to drive on electric power alone, albeit for short distances. The hybrid system will become an option on the Panamera range next year.
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Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG driven
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:48:00 GMT)
You would never have accused the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG of being a lightweight in the performance stakes, so the decision to slot in a new direct-injection twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine in place of the 6.2 V8 might seem to be gilding the lily. Power rises from 519bhp to 537, and torque from 465lb ft to 592.
Method in the madness
There’s more to this than the cravings of a bunch of power junkies, though. AMG, Mercedes' performance division, plans to cut average CO2 emission by 30% by 2012, and this new engine is a big help. The S63’s official economy figure is now an impressive 26.9mpg, a vast improvement on the 19.5mpg with the old V8, while CO2 emissions tumble from 347g/km to 244g/km. Aiding the cause are a new seven-speed automatic gearbox with a wet clutch instead of a torque converter, and a stop-start system to shut off the engine when you’re stationary.
More refined, but equally explosive
This isn’t just about keeping the emissions police at the EU happy, though. That old V8 could be a bit of a drama queen, mean to share out its torque at some points in the rev range, then too generous at others. Despite the massive increase in torque with the new engine, it arrives more progressively and makes the car easier to drive. You’ll appreciate that on a damp road. The new transmission helps distribute it all smoothly, too. Don’t fret, though: the performance is still explosive when you want it to be, accompanied by appropriate sounds from the tailpipes. It sounds like the start of the grouse-shooting season when you back off.
Oh, and if the standard engine isn’t brawny enough for you, there’s a performance package that ups power to 563bhp and torque to 666lb ft, without hurting economy or emissions. It costs £7890, but they do throw in an AMG driving course.
Roger.stansfield@whatcar.com
What Car? Says
Still mad, but now less bad
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New safety systems for Mercedes-Benz
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:58:00 GMT)
New safety systems that actively prevent cars from straying into the paths of other vehicles will become available on top-end Mercedes-Benz models this autumn.
They are called Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, and will initially be available on revised S-Class and CL models plus the E-Class family. They will come as a package for £2020.
Both are extensions of systems already available on a number of Mercedes cars.
At the moment there is a blind spot monitor, which flashes a red triangle in the door mirror if a driver is about to stray into the path of an overtaking car, and a lane-change warning that vibrates the steering wheel if the driver changes course without first putting on the indicators.
Systems can operate brakes
The big difference is that the new active systems apply the brakes on one side of the car to bring it back onto a straight course if there is a risk of a collision. The driver will still be given warnings as at present.
Active Blind Spot Assist
The active blind spot feature operates at speeds of between 20- and 125mph, although the flashing triangle will be given right up the car’s maximum speed of 155mph.
Active Lane Change Assist
The active lane-change system works between 35- and 125mph, as long as there is a solid white line on one side of the car and a dotted line on the other. It cuts in if there is a gradual drift off-course so that it will not, for instance, prevent the driver from suddenly swerving to avoid a cyclist or pedestrian.
Both new active features are linked to the anti-lock braking system and rely on information supplied either by short-range sensors in the sides of the car or a camera inside the windscreen.
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Oxfordshire axes its speed cameras
(Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:51:00 GMT)
Oxfordshire is to switch off its 72 speed cameras after funding for its road safety partnership was slashed by £600,000.
The move follows the Government's election pledge to end funding for fixed speed cameras.
Not a 'cash cow' for councils
Keith Mitchell, the leader of Conservative-controlled Oxfordshire County Council described the image of speed cameras being a 'cash cow' for councils as a myth.
He said: 'We [County Councils] pay the costs of the cameras, but the Government takes the revenue.'
Safety campaigners slam decision
However, safety campaigners have slammed the decision, claiming it would be a 'disaster' if spending cuts meant more councils across England and Wales scrapped their cameras, too.
Dan Campsall, from Thames Valley Safer Roads, said: 'The cameras have been proven to provide casualty reductions and without funding they can't continue to be supported and we might see casualties rise again.
'It's not only a problem that Oxfordshire is facing. There are local authorities up and down this country who are going to have to be making some very tough decisions on the vital area of road safety.'
Labour's shadow home secretary Alan Johnson also joined in the condemnation by calling the decision to remove cameras as 'big mistake'
Speaking on Sky News he said: Everyone who has analysed this has said that speed cameras have been an important part of the dramatic improvement on our roads.
'The carnage on our roads every year has gone down dramatically. It has gone down to below the levels, as I understand it, of the 1930s when there were far fewer cars on the road.
'If they are connected to saving lives of not just adults but children as well, who are particularly vulnerable on our roads, then they are performing a useful function.'
'End to the war on the motorist'
Mike Penning, the road safety minister said: 'In the coalition agreement the Government made clear it would end central funding for fixed speed cameras.
'Local authorities have relied too heavily on safety cameras for far too long so I am pleased that some councils are now focusing on other measures to reduce road casualties. This is another example of this Government delivering on its pledge to end the war on the motorist.'
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Learning to drive for 100 years
(Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:08:00 GMT)
The British School of Motoring is celebrating 100 years of lessons today.
To celebrate its centenary, BSM has put together 10 things you probably never knew about learning to drive.
See if you knew any of the following:
• BSM began providing driving lessons from 1910, but it took 25 years for the driving test to be introduced in 1935.
• The average amount of driving tuition today is 52 hours. In 1935 it would have been in single figures for some.
• There were no test centres in 1935, so you had to arrange to meet the examiner somewhere like a post office, train station or town hall.
• Candidates no longer had to demonstrate hand signals in driving tests from 1975.
• In 1934, an hour’s lesson with BSM cost 50p.
• The first edition of the Highway Code was introduced in 1931.
• From 2003, instructors had to start teaching basic vehicle checks as ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions were added to the beginning of the driving test.
• The minimum driving age of 17 was set in 1930.
• In 1975-76, 48% of British residents aged 17 and over held a licence. This grew to 57% in 1985-86 and 69% in 1995-97. By 2006 it had grown slightly to 72 per cent but dipped back to 71% in 2007.
• Shetland has the highest test pass rate in the UK with 66%. At 28%, Wood Green in London has the lowest. Overal, the UK pass rate is 44%.
What Car? Driving School
The most trusted voice in motoring now has a national driving school. Find out more at What Car? Driving School
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New Astra estate – more for less
(Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:03:00 GMT)
Vauxhall’s new Astra Sport Tourer estate costs from £16,575, £500 less than the previous entry-level model despite the mew car having more equipment as standard.
The 99bhp 1.4 ES entry-level model is cheaper than the 9bhp less powerful model it replaces and has air-conditioning, curtain airbags, stability control, active headrests and an auxiliary-in socket for the stereo are all now standard.
Diesel models start at £18,270 for the 109bhp 1.7 CDTi ES, £445 less than the outgoing 89bhp car.
The premium over the hatch varies depending on model, but is as low as £995. The cargo area is also 30 litres larger than before with the seats in place at 500 litres.
In all there are four trims to choose from – ES, Exclusiv, SE and SRi – and seven engines. Three petrols provide 99bhp, 114bhp or 138bhp, while diesel outputs are 94bhp, 109bhp, 123bhp or 158bhp.
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Favourite five VW deals
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:49:00 GMT)
Want everything to be as reliable as a Volkswagen? Well, you can rely on us to sniff out the very best VW deals around at the moment.
These Volkswagen deals are available until July 31.
Top Five
1 Save £3187 on a VW Tiguan. UKnewcars.com will sell a Tiguan 2.0 TDI 140 Sport 4WD for £21,183. Find VW Tiguan deals here .
2 Get £3072 off a VW Eos. Pick up an Eos 1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech SE for £18,723 from UKnewcars.com. Find VW Eos deals
3 Get £2979 off a VW Touran. Drivethedeal.com will sell a 1.9 TDI 105 Bluemotion Tech Match for £18,901. VW Touran deals here.
4 Pay £2464 less than list price on the VW Golf 2.0 TDI 170 GTD 5dr from Carfile.net. Price you pay: £21,766. VW Golf deals here.
5 Get a £2455 saving from the list price on a VW Passat 1.8 TSI Highline Plus saloon with Drivethedeal.com. Price you pay: £19,365. VW Passat deals here .
You can find lots more deals on many makes of cars in our Cars for sale section
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Black Friday for UK's drivers
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:16:00 GMT)
Drivers have been warned to expect the busiest Friday of the year on the roads as English schools break up for the summer and families head off on holiday.
A study by AA Roadwatch has revealed that 47% of British families are planning to holiday in the UK this year, which will put added pressure on the country's over-stretched road network.
The worst of the congestion is likely to start around midday on Friday, with up to 14 million cars swamping the roads. Routes to the south-west are likely to be the busiest, while congestion is also expected on all main routes to the coast, cross-channel ports and major airports.
Travel through the West Midlands will also be hit hard due to the closure of parts of the M6 motorway.
Drivers who are planning to travel southbound on the M6 should note that it will be closed overnight from junctions 11 (Cannock, Wolverhampton) to 7 (Great Barr interchange) on Friday night (10pm until 8am) and again on Saturday night (8pm until 10am).
Usual suspects
Other routes that will suffer from congestion include parts of the M4, M5, A30 and A39, along with roads heading for ferry ports.
The Daily Telegraph has created a Google map of the routes to avoid, with live traffic information.
Daily Telegraph Google map
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'Toll-free' Dartford plan to ease jams
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:16:00 GMT)
Tolls on the Dartford Crossing could soon be waived during bouts of severe congestion on the M25.
The Government has said it is prepared to look at the idea to help improve traffic flow on the busy toll crossing.
A Highways Agency study will also look at the feasibility of a licence-plate charging system, which could replace the current barrier system and so reduce congestion.
Roads minister Mike Penning said: 'Reducing congestion at the Dartford Crossing is an absolute priority.
'Our preferred option is the use of newer technology to allow free-flow charging, and we have asked the Highways Agency to work on proposals as a matter of urgency.'
'However, we are also willing to consider the possibility of lifting the barriers when congestion is particularly severe.'
Free for all
Protest groups have called for the tolls to be abolished, and that the crossing should have been free to use after 2003 – the year that all building costs were recouped.
Charges have already been axed on all bridges in Scotland, with the final toll-paying crossings – the Forth Bridge and Tay Bridge – having their levy removed in 2008.
The Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II bridge are the most easterly crossing point on the river Thames and link the north and south sections of the M25. About 150,000 vehicles use the crossings each day.
However, the tolls have been blamed for causing a bottleneck that regularly hampers transport in the area. The AA said in November 2009 that delays on the M25 had increased markedly in November 2008 when the toll charge was increased from £1 to £1.50 for cars.
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Fiat Punto Evo Abarth/500C Abarth driven
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:16:00 GMT)
The scorpion badge is worn exclusively by Fiat's Abarth performance models, and new versions of the 500C and Punto Evo have just earned the mark.
It's not just the badge that gives these cars their fearsome looks. Both have beefy-looking bumpers with all manner of spoilers and skirts attached, while chunky alloys and chromed twin-exhaust tailpipes complete the package. If that's not enough, lairy paintjobs and in-your-face decals can be added as optional extras, too.
Fiat 500C Abarth
The real sting , though, comes from a pair of turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engines. The 500C's has 138bhp (5bhp up on the Abarth hatchback to offset the C's extra weight) and is linked to a semi-automatic paddleshift gearbox. The car is undeniably brisk, but the shifts are jerky and it's annoying that you have to press a separate button to select first and reverse gears.
More photos of the Fiat 500C Abarth
The Punto, meanwhile, has 163bhp transferred through a six-speed manual 'box. It feels a good deal quicker when you're working it hard, and because it has Fiat's clever Multiair technology, it's really flexible when you're not.
Dynamics
If you want more from the Punto's dynamics, then have a play with the lever mounted next to the gearstick. This switches the car between Normal and Sport modes, which varies the steering weight and throttle response accordingly. In Normal, the throttle response is woefully lazy, and even in Sport, the steering could do with more weight and feel. It's a shame, because the grip and body control are pretty good.
More photos of the Fiat Punto Evo Abarth
In short, neither car troubles the best in class for thrills. Neither is a particularly cheap alternative, either. The Punto costs £16,500, while the 500C is priced at £17,500. Still, both come well equipped, with electric front windows, air-conditioning, remote locking, Bluetooth, seven airbags and stability control included as standard.
Ivan.Aistrop@whatcar.com
What Car? Says…
New Abarths are fast, but not as much fun as they look
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Exclusive Lexus preview
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:56:00 GMT)
Looking for a premium image hatchback with ultra-low running costs? Lexus's CT200h could be the car for you.
Developed from the LF-Ch concept car and the first hybrid in its class, the CT200h emits just 95g/km of CO2 and should achieve around an average of 70mpg. Performance isn't sacrificed, either – with 134bhp, it should manage 0-60mph in 10 seconds.
You won't be able to get your hands on one until next spring, however we're holding an exclusive preview early next month where we want to hear your views on the car.
The preview will take place on Thursday, August 5. We'll be asking for your views on the car's design, ergonomics and specification – your comments will be published in What Car? magazine, along with photos of you with the car. You'll also be asked to speak briefly to camera for footage at Whatcar.com. (Please note that this is a static viewing of the car – you won't be able to drive it at this event.)
Sign up here
If you would like to take part, e-mail readertestteam@haynet.com by midnight this Sunday, July 25. Please include the following information:
• what car you currently drive
• where you’ll be travelling from on the day
• your mobile number
• a few lines on why you’re interested in seeing the new Lexus CT200h.
Six readers will be invited to attend – we'll get in touch on Monday, July 26 if you've been successful, with further details of the event.
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Red V5s to prevent vehicle fraud
(Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:47:00 GMT)
New, red V5C registration documents are replacing old, blue ones in a bid to improve used car security and cut vehicle fraud.
The new form is to be introduced following the theft of an estimated 400,000 blue V5C documents in 2006. So far, around 2000 of these documents – which make it simple for criminals to create new identities for stolen cars – have been discovered.
While the new red V5C will give instant reassurance that a car is not registered using a stolen form, buyers still need to be careful because blue V5Cs are still valid and will continue in circulation.
The blue forms will be replaced with a red one only when a car is sold, details are changed, it is lost, stolen or destroyed.
Buyer beware
Remember that any V5C document, blue or red, shows only the registered keeper of a vehicle. It is not a proof of ownership document and does not reveal the history of a car, so you need to make further checks.
Check that the vehicle identification number stamped on the car matches that on the V5C, and that other more obvious details such as the make, model and colour also concur.
The safest way to buy a used car is to carry out a history check through a provider such as HPI. This will reveal if a car has outstanding finance owed on it, is stolen, or has been registered as a write-off.
Our advice section has more help on buying, selling and running your car safely and cost-effectively.
Click here for a larger view Beat the blue form fraudIf you are offered a car for sale with a blue form, make sure you check the serial number. Contact the police if it includes the following numbers because it is one of the stolen document: • BG8229501 to BG9999030• BI2305501 to BI2800000Even if a blue V5C does not fall within the serial numbers above, it does not guarantee that it is genuine. Hold it up to the light to see if there is a DVLA watermark.
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