Used Car Expert magazine has commented that with some Peugeot and Citroen models also sharing the same accelerator part as Toyota, and also in need of correcting, that manufacturer recalls also need to be included as part of any vehicle service history.

Magazine editor Matthew Turnbridge said,”The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VoSA) tells me that 9.36% of vehicles or components recalled last year never got repaired.  While this shocking statistic includes stolen vehicles and motors that have been scrapped or written off, what it does mean is that there’s a huge number of cars out there that haven’t had a faulty part fixed – for one reason or another, owners have not answered the recall”.  

If you ever want to check the state of play with any manufacturer recalls campagins then you can search at the VoSA site@ http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp . One of the added value benefits of having a maintained leased car is that the leasing company will usually be told by the manufacturer about any recalls and will notify you accordingly.

Peugeot eco-challenge

Peugeot has launched the first ever pan-European eco-driving challenge, which will follow a 1000 km course from Paris to Geneva with the winners arriving at the finish line within set time targets, having used the least fuel.

If you fancy entering the draw you can visit the dedicated Eco-Cup website or via the link from the Peugeot site and all entries have to be in by the 15th February 2009. The Ec0-cup website features eco-driving tips, an online eco-driving test and details of the four different Peugeot cars for the event. Choose your car category, enter your details plus your 140 word definition of what makes a good eco-driver.

Peugeot will the select 72 competitors from the online entries and then randomly draw entrants to take part in the challenge. The four different Peugeot cars are as follows;

1. Peugeot 207 HDi 90
2. Peugeot 308 HDi 110
3. Peugeot 3008 HDi 110
4. Peugeot 5008 HDi

Winners of each trial will win a brand new Peugeot car.

Peugeot Lion

Peugeot is celebrating its 200th anniversary with the unveiling of a new styling direction and a new visual identity. The Lion badge has been updated and will be first seen on the launch of the new RCZ in the Spring of this year.

The new look that Peugeot is promising is best seen in the stunning new SR1 concept car which has a more extreme, stronger and pure expression of the “Peugeot Style” of tomorrow.

The SR1 has a 1.6-litre THP petrol engine at the front with a power output of 218bhp which is also combined with a rear electric motor developing 95bhp.

In electric only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV). The car in the combination however has a combined fuel cycle consumption of 57.5mpg and CO2 emissions of only 119g/km.  The combined maximum power output of 313bhp is driven by a four wheel drive system and the new SR1 will be officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March.  

Peugeot SR1

Greener Tepee

The new Peugeot Partner Tepee class leading MPV has now got “Greener” with a new Euro 5 petrol engine offering a 12.5% reduction in fuel consumption and a 15% reduction on CO2 emissions.

The Partner Tepee S model will now be powered by a 1.6-litre 120bhp VTi Euro 5 petrol engine, previously seen in the 207 and 308 model range. Using their class leading Variable Valve Lift and Timing injection (VTi) technology plus an inlet valve lift system, Peugeot is also using these two innovations to improve the engine’s thermodynamic efficiency and further reduce fuel consumption and CO2.

Peugeot RCZ

If you want see the stunning new coupe from the Peugeot, the new RCZ, then this affordable supercar will be at the MPH Show in November 2009.

The MPH Prestige and Performance Motor Show is being held at Earls Court and the NEC Birmingham. The new Peugeot RCZ is available with a 200bhp turbocharged petrol engine and will reach 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds. The car will be on sale in April 2010.

Peugeot has added a new Bipper Tepee to its growing family of multi-space family vehicles. This new vehicle is practical, easy to drive, compact and very economical.

Peugeot Bipper Tepee

The vehicle is available in a 1.4-litre petrol engine with 5-speed manual gearbox or a 1.4-litre HDI diesel engine in a conventional manual or an electronically controlled manual. The diesel version offers 62.8 on the combined mpg cycle and has a CO2 of only 119g/km in the conventional manual version. Peugeot car leasing prices will available shortly.

Peugeot 5008

Peugeot has announced the pricing on their Peugeot 5008 compact seven-seater MPV, so Peugeot car leasing prices on this model should be available soon.

The car has three new trim levels -Active, Sport and Exclusive which all feature the seven-seat Multiflex seating system, allowing multiple configurations for different passenger/luggage requirements. All 5008 models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, ESP, electric parking brake with Hill Assist and air conditioning.

This new MPV will be on sale in January 2010. 

The SMMT has reported that new car registrations were up 11.4% in September to 367,929 units sold. The car scrappage scheme has continued to supply a stimulus to this growth and in particular registrations from private buyers and of small cars rose strongly.

The average car CO2 emissions continues to fall with a 4.9% reduction of the year to date position, to 150.2g/km.

SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said,”New car registrations rose for the third time in a row in September. Market conditions remain challenging with demand being underpinned by the extremely successful scrappage incentive scheme. The extension of the scheme will help to sustain demand through the latter part of this year and into 2010″.

Top ten best sellers in September

1) Fiesta – 22,635

2) Corsa – 16,379

3) Focus – 13,622

4) Astra – 13,190,

5) Golf – 11,787

6) Peugeot 207 -9,161

7) MINI – 8,634

 8) BMW 3 Series – 7,465

9) Yaris – 6,896

10) BMW 1 Series – 6,671

Fiat 500

Fiat has demonstrated its commitment to low CO2 emission cars by reducing its average CO2 emissions figure on cars sold in Europe, during the first half of 2009, to 129.1g/km.

The figure has been corroborated by leading automotive adviser, JATO and shows Fiat is the only mainstream car manufacturer to achieve the European average goal of sub 130g/km by 2015 -five years early.

Of the top brands Fiat is ahead of the following;

- Toyota 132.9g/km

- Peugeot 134.5g/km

- Citroen 138.1g/km

- Renault 138.9g/km

- Ford 140.4g/km

- Opel (GM) 149.5g/km

- Volkswagen 152.5g/km

- Audi 162.6g/km

- Mercedes 178.8g/km

Fiat has led the way on green technology with MultiAir technology on petrol engines, MultiJet diesel engines eco:Drive and Start&Stop which has helped them to the top spot in low CO2 cars.

Classic car

The best in retro cars will be on show at the NEC in Birmingham between the 13th and 15th November 2009. Over 1,400 of Britain’s best classic cars and motorcycles will be on show plus may other live events and attractions. 

For example, Club Peugeot UK will be bringing along a couple of 304′s (a coupe and estate) plus their GpB 205 T16 rally car and its equally famous brother, the 205 GTI. You will also get to see a Monza GS/E, Carlton 3000GSI, Lotus Carlton, two MK1 Fiesta XR2s, MK11 Cortina 1600E and a Lotus Carlton, to name just a few.

For further information visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com