Alfa 4C Concept

Alfa Romeo is showing off their Alfa 4C Concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month in a new and exclusive “fluid metal” exterior colour. The Alfa 4C Concept is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe and has a 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, ALFA TCT twin dual dry clutch semi-automatic transmission and all Alfa’s latest DNA technology, including Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.

In addition, Alfa Romeo will have an Alfa Giulietta equipped with the latest ALFA TCT twin dual dry clutch semi-automatic transmission as well, offering greater driving comfort and a sportier feel than the conventional automatic gearbox. The Alfa Giulietta with ALFA TCT transmission will be available with either the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp engine or the 2.0 JTDm-2 170 bhp diesel engine.

The MiTo is also on show at Frankfurt with two new engines on offer. It now comes with a 0.9-litre TwinAir TB 85bhp and a new 1.3 JTDm 85bhp diesel engine. The Alfa MiTo TwinAir using Start&Stop and the smart alternator is offering 98g/km of CO2, which is the lowest CO2 petrol engine in its class.

BMW X3

The new second-generation BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle has just been awarded five stars by the assessors at the Euro NCAP crash testing facilities. The NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) procedure is ranked as one of the most rigorous tests worldwide, at which new cars are put through a series of tough crash tests.

Coming with a range of safety features, the BMW X3 offers excellent occupant protection in all seats as all occupants are protected by a stable passenger cell. It scored well for a front-end collision for both the driver and passenger (regardless of a person’s size) and was awarded outstanding ratings for the protection of children aged around three years or 18 months, in the relevant-sized child seats. It also received maximum points for side protection.

In the active safety test the BMW X3 has the following standard options which earned it an outstanding rating as well. The car has Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), linked to intelligent all-wheel drive, Braking Assistant, Cornering Braking Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Tyre Defect Indicator. BMW X3 car leasing is on the site now.

New Fiat Panda

Fiat is taking its new Fiat Panda to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September and this new Panda is the third generation of this highly successful A-segment car. The new Fiat Panda will go on sale in the UK in the spring of 2012 and offers city-car driving in comfort, space, reliability, with low running costs too.

The compact new Fiat Panda has “grown” a little and is now 365cm long, has a width of 164cm and a height of 155cm, yet it can still seat five adults in comfort and has one of the largest luggage compartments in the segment. The new Panda has a much rounder and elegant exterior with an all-new flexible interior and when launched will be available in several engine options.

You can choose from two TwinAir twin cylinder engines, the 85bhp TwinAir Turbo or the brand new 65bhp naturally aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with Start and Stop as standard. There is also the revised 69bhp 1.2-litre Fire engine completing the petrol engine range, plus a 75bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet 2 turbodiesel as well, also with Start and Stop. In addition the new Panda also offers a Gearshift Indicator to tell you the optimum time to change gear, to save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.

There will only be front-wheel drive versions available at launch but as with the current Panda range, a four-wheel drive version is planned.  There are also plenty of safety features in the new Panda including ABS anti-locking brakes with brake assist, four airbags, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, Isofix attachments for child seats, anti-whiplash front head restraints, rear headrests and Daytime Running Lights, which are all standard vehicle options.

2012 Honda Civic in disguise

Honda is promising that its new 2012 Honda Civic will offer a quieter and more refined driving experience to ensure passengers enjoy comfortable journeys on all road conditions. The car has been tested by Honda’s engineers throughout Europe, tuning the new Civic to suit the varying roads and using Honda’s echo-free chamber at their Swindon R&D facility to attain the best cabin insulation.

The car also has a low coefficient of drag and excellent high-speed stability with expertise drawn from Honda’s Formula 1 experience and the work completed in the wind tunnel has improved performance, fuel consumption and has resulted in an exceptionaly quiet interior.

Kazuo Sunaoshi, Development Leader- Chassis, said,”We did not improve the noise and refinement of the new Civic through just one technique. It was the accumulation of lots of little details. My big challenge was to match the noise and vibration levels of our European competitors. I am proud to say that we have achieved our goals”.

If you want to take a look at the third of five films on the development of the new Honda Civic you can find it at the Honda website @ www.honda.co.uk/newcivic .The new Civic will also make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Peugeot 508 RXH

Peugeot will debut their new Peugeot 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid and the HX1 sporty MPV concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. These two models are very important as the French car manufacturer sets to achieve its two strategic aims of internationalism and an enhanced brand positioning.

Peugeot 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid

The Peugeot 508 RXH diesel-electric hybrid is the third model in the 508 range (Saloon and Estate) and will be launched in the spring of 2012. This upmarket model has a modern, upmarket appeal as well as a diesel-electric powertrain and lavish trim. The car has a distinctive front end, flared wings, 18-inch wheels, daytime running lights and an exclusive body colour of Calern Brown with Alcantara  leather upholstery.

The car utilises Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology and is the second marque after the 3008HYbrid4 to receive the diesel-electric hybrid power plant. The combination of the 200bhp 2.0 HDi FAP diesel engine and electric motor on the rear axle offers exceptional fuel economy of 70.6 on the combined fuel cycle and CO2 emissions of 109g/km. There are four HYbrid4 drive modes to select from, Automatic, “Zero Emissions Vehicle”, Sport or 4WD and only 30 examples of the total 300 production run will be available in the UK.

Peugeot HX1

HX1 multi-purpose Concept Car

The HX1 concept car combines radical styling and great environmental credentials and offers seating for up to six people. The HX1 can also change its aerodynamic profile due to its many “mobile” aerodynamic parts, that were designed with speed in mind.

It has four reverse opening doors providing access and the sporty concept runs on a 299bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine driving the front wheels and has the electric motor integrated into the rear axle. It has all the features of HYbrid4 in terms of driving modes i.e. 4WD, “Zero Emissions” and driving on just “Zero Emissions” mode, the car has a range of 18.6 miles. The HX1 offers 88.2 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of just 83g/km and this ultra-high, technologically advanced concept, offers the occupants exceptional interior space.

Peugeot is committed to producing cars for the future and in Frankfurt the 508 RXH, the HX1 Concept and the 908 HYbrid4, which PeugeotSport is currently developing, all demonstrate their approach to diesel-electric powertrain technology.

Ford Fiesta 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnectic

E.ON, one of the UK’s largest power and gas companies in the UK, has just ordered 340 Ford Fiesta 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnetic hatchbacks on contract hire over four years. The large vehicle fleet order was to replace the previous-generation Fiesta models which have been driven by their home energy consultants over the last three years.

The fuel-efficient new Fiesta 1.6-litre TDCi ECOnetic is an ideal replacement for their consultants, who advise customers nationwide on how to save money and be more energy efficient. The Ford Fiesta Edge ECOnetic emits only 95g/km of CO2 and also returns 78.5mpg on the combined fuel cycle, making them extremely cost-effective.

Standard specification for the Edge model includes air conditioning, electric/heated mirrors, front electric windows, MP3/CD player, ABS, multiple airbags, traction control, electronic stability programme, immobiliser and remote central locking and Ford contract hire prices are on the site now.

Vauxhall Ampera

The Vauxhall (Opel) Ampera electric vehicle has just been awarded the maximum five stars by Euro NCAP, exceeding the maximum needed for the top rating in every test category. The car was also the first car to score maximum points in the side pole barrier impact test. In the side pole test the car is propelled sideways at 18mph into a rigid pole, which simulates a tree.

As well as the usual categories including occupant protection, child safety, pedestrian protection and safety assist, the five door saloon also had its electric system checked as well after all the impact tests. The battery pack in the Ampera is located in the centre of the vehicle and therefore has the vehicle structure built around it and is efficiently protected. The high voltage pack can also be easily disconnected in the event of an accident.

The Ampera’s specification is geared up for safety with ABS, Traction Control, EBD, Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Control plus it also has eight airbags, with roof mounted head-curtain airbags to help protects passengers in the case the car rolls over. There is also an ISOFIX child seat installation system for the rear seats and adjustable head restraints on the front seats as well, to protect against whiplash following a rear-end collision.

The Panthermobile "Pink Panther car"

The original Pink Panther car has come up for auction for only the second time and this iconic one-of-a-kind car was created in 1969 by Jay Ohrberg for the popular Pink Panther Show. The car itself was known as the Pantheromobile and was one of the most eye-catching cars ever built for a TV series.

The vehicle is in its original condition and would benefit from some sympathetic restoration as it is now 42 years old. The engine is not currently running (but was when it was sold previously in 2007) and as it is also not street-legal, it also doesn’t have a Swansea V5. The auction is being run by auctioneers, Robson Kay, and will sold via an online auction with a sale estimate of £50,000 -£100,000. You can find out how to bid or how to view the car at the Robson Kay website.

New Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released the details of its new B-Class compact sports tourer that will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 in September. The new B-Class has a much more agile and efficient style and its lower height and more upright seat position portrays a sportier look.

The new B-Class has a new four cylinder petrol and new diesel engine on offer too. Initially, the petrol option is a 1.6-litre for the B 180 (122 hp) and B 200 (156 hp) and the diesel is a 1.8-litre unit, mounted transversely for the first time. The B 180 CDI generates 109 hp and the B 200 CDI has an output of 136 hp.

Mercedes-Benz is also launching their new 7G-Dual clutch transmission in the B-Class, which features an electronic oil pump for start/stop capability and also shifts gear without any interruptions in tractive power, combining the smoothness of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission. The new 6-speed manual transmission also offers easy manual gear shifting.

The new B-Class has outstanding aerodynamics setting a new benchmark in the sector and features PRE-SAFE, a radar-based collision warning system as standard, together with Hill Hold Function, ATTENTION ASSIST and Active Parking Assist. The new B-Class should be available in the UK from March 2012.

Hyundai i40 estate

Hyundai has just announced that their new i40 estate has just been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating and is the fifth successive Hyundai model to be awarded this maximum safety rating. This makes this new estate one of the most safest in its class. The i20 supermini, ix20 compact MPV, i30 hatchback and ix35 SUV are the other Hyundai car models to be awarded five stars.

The i40 received an overall score of 86% performing well in the “18-month old” and “3-year old” child categories. It scored 43% in the pedestrian category with the front bumper scoring maximum points for protection to the front occupants. In the “safety assist” category, the car scored 86% with its electronic stability program, speed limitation assistance and seatbelt reminder system contributing well.

The Hyundai i40′s passive safety systems exceeds Euro NCAP’s 2011 requirements and of course Hyundai also offers their comprehensive Five Year Triple Care Assurance making this model an ideal company car for a growing family. We have the latest Hyundai i40 contract hire prices on the site with rentals starting from as little as £215.77+VAT per month.