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Premium sound systems for all
(Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:30:00 GMT)
Car audio specialist JBL says all cars will eventually have sound systems of the quality that only premium cars currently have.
The start, says JBL, is its MS-8 System Integration Digital Processor. It boosts the quality of your car's current system without having to add amplifiers or speakers.
'Eventually, this will be in all cars,' predicted Mark Hockey of JBL's parent company Harman UK.
The MS-8 optimises sound for up to eight channels, while its digital signal processing (DSP) equalisation and correction automatically improve the stereo's sound and compensate for the characteristics of the car's speakers, electronics and interior.
When the system is set up, it automatically optimises the sound for up to four seating positions inside the car, so the sound hits your ears at exactly same time no matter where you are sitting.
The MS-8 is not cheap, costing around £600, and it's recommended that a professional installer fits the MS-8 as it can take three hours to install. However it is certainly cheaper than buying a premium sound system.
The MS-8 will be followed by a smaller cheaper model. Called the MS-4, it will cost around £350 and is on sale next March.
The product line up will be completed with a Pocket DSP that requires no special installation – users will simply plug it in to the car's AV socket. It will cost less than £200.
Find out more at http://ms8.jbl.com/.
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Renault face-lifts the Laguna
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:00:00 GMT)
These are the first photos of the face-lifted Renault Laguna, which will be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show at the end of this month.
The most obvious changes are at the front end, where both the hatchback and Sport Tourer models (but not the Coupe, which remains unchanged) get revised headlights and bumpers, with a new design of grille below the numberplate.
More efficient engines
Along with the cosmetic surgery, all the engines have been revised to meet Euro V regulations, with the result that emissions have dropped across the entire range. In the hatchback, the 1.5 dCi 110 engine now emits just 120g/km of CO2, 10g/km less than before.
The face-lifted Renault Laguna Estate that will be at the Paris motor show 4Control system
In the UK, three trims will be available – Expression, Dynamique and GT Line – with the company’s 4Control system available on models with the 2.0 dCi 180 engine.
This allows the rear wheels to turn slightly, with the angle and direction depending on the circumstances. The company says it gives better manoeuvrability at low speeds, increased stability at high speeds, and more safety in an emergency.
Prices for the revised models will be announced in mid-October, with the car going on sale in November.
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Chevrolet Cruze hatchback revealed
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:23:00 GMT)
Chevrolet has revealed the first photographs of a new hatchback version of the Cruze.
It will be unveiled at the Paris motor show at the end of this month, and the five-door car will join the existing four-door saloon in Chevrolet showrooms in the middle of next year.
Although the two models look similar, the hatchback stands out from the saloon with its coupe-like roofline.
The range of engines and trims will mirror that of the saloon, although the new hatchback will be launched with Euro V-compliant engines, which will find their way into the saloon in due course.
Exact details of the car and its specifications will be confirmed nearer its on-sale date, so there is no confirmation of whether every detail of the show car – such as the LED running lights in the front bumper – will appear on the production car.
The company has confirmed that the five-door, five-seat car will have a 400-litre boot (50 litres less than the saloon), with 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
The Cruze hatchback will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres at Paris. The company will also unveil the Orlando MPV, the new Aveo supermini, and a revised version of the Captiva 4x4.
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Ford's mirror-based sat-nav
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:59:00 GMT)
A new sat-nav system fitted alongside the rear-view mirror is now available from Ford dealers.
Mirror Navi allows drivers to use the navigation system at the same time as they check the rear view.
The new system can be fitted by dealers in less than an hour and is classed as a fitted navigation system for insurance purposes – which could help to reduce premiums.
The Mirror Navi has tinted and dimming mirror glass, a battery charging connection and anti-theft security. It has a 3.5-inch screen, colour display with 2D or 3D mapping.
Other features include destination memory, Eco Route – software that finds more fuel-efficient routes – and maps and voice directions for more than 70 countries and languages.
The Mirror Navi system fits all Ford models and costs £299 plus dealer fitting charges.
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Celebs a bad influence on young drivers
(Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:50:00 GMT)
Reckless celebrities are setting a bad example to young drivers, according to a new report.
The Autoglass survey claims the increasing amount of celebrities and sports stars – such as England footballers Ashley Cole and Joe Cole – being brought before the court to answer speeding charges is having a negative effect on young drivers who look upon them as role models.
There was more bad news for younger drivers, with 68% of those questioned calling for tougher penalties for those caught speeding. Half of respondents also want young drivers who break motoring laws to be forced to retake their driving test.
Other results of the survey included:
• 32% wanted an instant ban for young drivers who break the law
• 67% said teens should be restricted to small-capacity engines
• 60% wanted youngsters to display a P-plate for 12 months after passing their test
• 23% called for a night-time ban on young drivers
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Parents need driving lessons
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:13:00 GMT)
Parents should take a driving lesson or two before teaching their teenagers to drive, says the What Car? Driving School. This would give parents an updated understanding of the Highway Code, and knowledge of the skills required by the new test.
The financial crisis has prompted many parents to shun professional driving lessons with driving instructors and play the teacher role themselves, but in the majority of cases parents’ knowledge is out of date.
What Car? Driving School is the only national driving school that encourages parents to participate in initial lessons or to take guidance sessions with their teenager’s instructor.
‘With over 45% of UK drivers likely to fail the current driving test it is all too clear that these drivers need a refresher driving lesson or two to ensure they do not pass on their bad habits to their teenagers,’ said Paul Atkinson, What Car? Driving School managing director.
Parents’ typical bad habits• Approach junctions too quickly • Rush observations • Incorrect use of speed • Drive too close to the vehicle in front • Don’t use mirrors enough 'What Car? Driving School recommends that every teenager learning to drive gets as much road experience as possible with their parents when they are safe to do so, but this should be supplementary to professional driving lessons with the highest-quality ADI driving instructors,' said Atkinson.
What Car? Driving School
Get more information: www.whatcardrivingschool.com
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Volvo V60 driven
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:38:00 GMT)
What is it?
Given half a chance, Volvo will tell you what the new V60 is not. Apparently, it isn't an estate car, despite the fact that it's an estate-shaped version of the S60 saloon, which is designed to be more practical. Instead, Volvo is going with the phrase 'Sports Wagon' to describe the V60, and it says it's the coupe-like roofline that marks the difference.
Whatever it is, don't expect a massive boot. It's a reasonable size at 430 litres, but that's only 13 litres bigger than the capacity you get in the V50, which is a much smaller car. Crucially, though, it's also less space than you get in the rival 'lifestyle' estates from Audi and BMW.
However, while the Volvo's boot might not be huge, it's a usefully square-sided shape, and there's more storage space underneath the floor. The space is flexible, too. The rear-seat backrest splits 40-20-40, and each section folds down perfectly flat with no need to pop the bases out of the way first. The front passenger seat also folds far enough forward to be perfectly flat, which helps you accommodate longer loads.
The cabin is welcoming for passengers, too, with lots of space, comfortable seats and a high-quality feel. Being a Volvo, you also get bags of safety kit as standard. This includes City Safety, which can sense a slower-moving car ahead, and automatically apply the brakes if you get too close.
What's it like to drive?
Volvo's plan for the V60 was to make it more practical than the S60 saloon without compromising the driving characteristics. It's no surprise, then, that the two feel remarkably similar on the open road.
The ride is a little on the firm side, and although it stays comfortable most of the time, potholes and drain covers can thud into the cabin. The pay-off for this, though, is that body movements are tightly controlled, so the body stays reassuringly stable through bends. There's plenty of grip, too.
More photos of the Volvo V60
A wide range of turbocharged engines will be available, including four petrols and three diesels. A 304bhp 3.0 sits at the top of the petrol range, followed by a 240bhp 2.0. Two brand new 1.6-litre turbos are also available, giving either 150bhp or 180bhp.
We've driven the 180bhp version, and although it's reasonably quick, it doesn't feel as fast as the numbers suggest. The car we drove came fitted with the new Powershift dual-clutch transmission, too, which didn't really suit the engine. The gearbox was too keen to kick down, and it meant that the slightest increase in throttle pressure made the engine wail noisily without much increase in acceleration.
The turbodiesels will be of more interest to most buyers, and you'll choose between a 205bhp 2.4, a 163bhp 2.0, and later on, the 1.6 DRIVe. We've driven the 2.0-litre, and with strong mid-range muscle, it's got an impressive turn of pace. It's not as mighty at the top of the rev range, though, so you'll find yourself short-shifting to keep the engine on the boil.
What'll it cost me?
Prices haven't yet been announced, but expect the V60 to cost between £1000 and £1500 more than the equivalent S60 saloon.
The V60 has identical equipment specifications to the S60, too, so all cars come with a good amount of standard kit. All have alloy wheels, cruise control, four powered windows and climate control, while stepping up to SE trim brings rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and a Bluetooth. SE Lux cars have powered leather seats.
CO2 outputs and fuel consumption figures are also yet to be finalised for most of the engines, but we do know that the 2.0-litre diesel (which is expected to be the most popular version) will return 51.4mpg and emit carbon dioxide at a rate of 144g/km. That means running costs will be competitive, if not quite up there with the best.
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Hyundai to unveil its ix20 at Paris show
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:07:00 GMT)
Hyundai will launch its ix20 – a new mini-MPV – at the Paris motor show later this month.
The ix20 will give the company a rival to the Citroen C3 Picasso and Nissan Note, as well as the new Toyota Verso-S, which will also be launched at the show.
Designed and developed in Germany, the ix20 is the company’s second car – after the ix35 crossover – to adopt what it calls its ‘fluidic sculpture’ design.
'Striking' design
As yet, the company has issued only this initial sketch of the car, but it says that the ix20 is 'a striking departure from the boxy "minivan" image typically associated with the segment, adopting a more dynamic, sportier profile'.
Hyundai also says the car will be both practical and fun to drive, and that it is expected to go on sale in November this year.
Updated i10
Also making its debut at the Paris motor show is an updated version of the i10 supermini. Featuring revised styling and specification, as well as a new 1.0-litre engine, which emits just 99g/km of CO2, it will go on sale in January next year.
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Citroen unveils face-lifted C4 Picasso
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:49:00 GMT)
Citroen has revealed the face-lifted versions of its C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso MPVs.
The changes include the pair now sporting Citroen's revised double chevron logo, as well as LED running lights below the headlights. The front indicators now have white lenses, while the C4 Picasso's rear lights have a black border.
Meanwhile, in the French market, Exclusive trim level gets door handles trimmed in chrome, as well as a new trim on the seats and door panels.
Start-stop system boosts efficiency
At the same time, Citroen is introducing an engine stop-start system to models with the 1.6 HDi engine and a manual gearbox. According to the company, this can result in a 15% cut in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in town.
Translated into figures, that means average fuel economy jumps to 58.9mpg and emissions drop to 125g/km – compared with the 53.3mpg and 140g/km of the previous model.
For the moment, the company is confirming precise details of the cars for the French market only. However, Citroen in the UK has said it will announce further details of the models destined for this country early next week.
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Mazda Shinari concept car revealed
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:58:00 GMT)
This is the Shinari, the latest in a line of Mazda concept cars in recent years. It demonstrates the future design direction the company will take under its new global studio head, Ikuo Maeda.
Racing car 'intimacy' for the driver
Mazda's Shinari concept car is a four-door four-seat coupe just short of five metres long and two metres wide. The designers responsible for it say it's intended to create a car which 'has hot blood under a cool skin'. Its exterior surfaces are meant to convey strong motion, high quality and Japanese craftsmanship, while the interior was inspired by the intimacy of single-seat racing cars on the driver's side, and a more relaxed ambience around the passengers.
'Nagare' design concept is tamed
The design represents a toning down of the controversial flow-pattern (nagare) style that Mazda had been pursuing under previous design chief Laurens van den Acker, who has moved to Renault. Nagare, said to reflect natural forces like waves and the wind, was felt in some quarters to be too ornate and fussy.
More photos of the Mazda Shinari
While the Shinari (the name comes from the Japanese for something that is ready to release its energy, such as a bow about to fire an arrow) will not be built, elements of it are likely to be seen on the next Mazda 6.
Maeda became head of the Mazda design studios around a year ago. He has previously overseen the design of the RX-8 four-door coupe and the current Mazda 2 supermini. He is the son of Matasaburo Maedo, who designed the first Mazda RX-7 before going on to head the design studio.
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Mazda shapes cars of the future
(Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:41:00 GMT)
The typical family car of the 2020s will have a central control screen, such as on an Apple iPhone or iPad, but in 3-D, and there'll be super-intelligent applications (apps) to help you manage your daily life. For instance, there could be an app that will not just recommend a restaurant, but also tell you the name of the chef and suggest the pick of the menu that day.
Record your drive and much more
A navigation app called Co-Pilot will give you a detailed bird's-eye view of every detail of the road you are driving on. If it's a spectacular or scenic route, G-Pro – a camera mounted in the front grille – will film your drive in HD for you to watch later or transmit to friends.
There will also be paint finishes that you can change on a whim without any need for a spray gun, and solar panels to keep the battery topped up and power the air-conditioning system. For city cars, flexible interior materials will make it possible to change the ratio of passenger-to-luggage space without any levers or folding mechanisms.
Developing the future now
These are all things that Mazda is envisaging for cars that are only 10 years away. 'Not all of these things are going to happen, but by looking at every possibility something that is not viable might lead to something else,' says Peter Birtwhistle, the head of Mazda's European design studio.
You have only to look at the developments in communications technology in the past decade to see that many could well become reality.
Advanced product planners at Mazda believe they can foresee much of what our cars will be like in 10 years, based on their forecasts of changing lifestyles.
People will be sharing more by 2020, they say. There will be new production methods and materials, layered shapes and colours and more natural structures.
'Good design reflects the mood and values of an era, and the role of the car as a status symbol is changing,' says Jo Stenuit, of Mazda's European design division. 'We will have to rethink the role of the car within the city. It is already happening in places like Copenhagen, which has twice been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world.'
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Ferrari 458 Italia to be recalled
(Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:57:00 GMT)
Ferrari has recalled every 458 Italia supercar, following reports that the car could spontaneously catch fire.
According to Ferrari, an adhesive used in the wheelarch assemblies can overheat and allow the rear wheel housing heat shields to move around. In extreme cases, the glue can smoke and even catch fire. Five of the earliest examples of the car have caught fire, although none have been UK cars.
As a result, Ferrari is inviting owners of more than 1200 458 Italias from around the world to have new wheel arch liners fitted to their cars.
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Orders open for Nissan Leaf
(Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:10:00 GMT)
Order books for the Nissan Leaf electric car have opened with the launch of a dedicated website to process initial deposits.
At www.nissan.co.uk/leafreservation, customers can register their interest in the Leaf by paying a £257 refundable deposit.
Those customers will then get a Leaf test-drive by the end of this year, at which point they will need to formally confirm their order. The Nissan Leaf will cost £23,990 when it goes on sale in February.
Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: 'The Leaf is generating huge interest across the world, with more than 25,000 customers already putting down deposits in the US and Japan.
'We know that the benefits of electric mobility have struck a chord with motorists in the UK and initial interest across retail and fleet channels could result in demand outstripping initial supply.'
Despite the website being live for only a few hours, Nissan says the UK reaction is strong, with initial orders outstripping expectations. Nissan won't confirm exact numbers of Leafs that have been allocated for UK customers next year, but a spokesman said it would be 'in the low thousands'.
What's in number
Why has Nissan chosen the very specific price of £257 for the deposit? That is the amount it expects customers to spend a year charging their car.
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Bentley Continental GT online reveal
(Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:48:00 GMT)
Bentley will unveil its new Continental GT coupe to the world online next week.
For seven days from 3pm on Tuesday, September 7, Bentley will host the event at www.continentalgt.com.
On the site, the company says viewers will be able to enjoy a motor show-style unveiling, as well as choosing from a range of camera angles to take bespoke virtual tours of the car.
Bentley's design director, Dirk van Braeckel, who designed the original Continental GT launched in 2003, said: 'The styling and design story in 2010 is just as dramatic, and we believe this Bentley GT will be as instantly recognisable as its predecessor. We look forward to the moment the cameras are switched on and sharing the new Continental GT with enthusiasts across the world.'
The site is already live now, and although there are no explicit images or details of the new car, visitors to the site can see a short film, which shows fleeting glimpses of the car, as well as showing the designers at work on the new model.
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New Toyota MPV to debut at Paris show
(Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:51:00 GMT)
Toyota will unveil a new mini-MPV at the Paris motor show at the end of this month.
Called the Verso-S, the new model is nearer the size of a Yaris than the current Verso, so will give Toyota a rival for the likes of the Citroen C3 Picasso and Nissan Note.
According to the company, the new car is 'an object lesson in space management'. At less than four metres long, it's shorter than any of its rivals, but Toyota says it has a practical, flexible interior.
Full details of the Verso-S will be announced at the show, and it is expected to go on sale in the UK early next year.
More Toyotas at Paris show
Also on show at Paris for the first time will be upgrades for the iQ and Aygo. The iQ will have a new interior finish, aimed at boosting the perceived quality of the car, while the Aygo will benefit from a new multimedia system.
Alongside them on the stand will be the FT-CH concept car that was first shown at the Detroit show in January this year. Smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient than the Prius, the hybrid five-door four-seater shows one way in which Toyota could expand the Prius family in the future.
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10 great 10-plate used deals
(Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:41:00 GMT)
If your car-buying budget won’t stretch to a brand new vehicle, then save thousands with our great nearly new deals.
These 10-plate cars were registered only six months ago, yet are substantially cheaper than a factory-fresh model.
From Alfa Romeo to Vauxhall, superminis to sports cars, we’ve scoured the UK's forecourts to find the best deals on nearly new cars. Some have covered a few thousand miles, while others have hardly turned a wheel. You'll save at least £1200 on every car we've listed – and in some cases as much as £5000.
Most nearly new cars are at franchised dealers, but larger car supermarkets can often have lots of well-priced examples.
1 Alfa Romeo 159 2.0 JTDm 16v Tursimo Sport
'10/10,3800 miles
List price £23,090
Target Price £21,798
Price you pay £16,995
2 BMW 320d ES
'10/10, 13 miles
List price £25,920
Target Price £23,908
Price you pay £21,995
3 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4Sound 3dr
'10/10, 27 miles
List price £9785
Target Price £ 8041
Price you pay £7299
4 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 115 Zetec 5dr
'10/10, 3900 miles
List price £19,645
Target Price £18,040
Price you pay £14,485
5 Honda Civic 1.4 i-VTEC SE 5dr
'10/10, 4852 miles
List price £15,985
Target Price £14,543
Price you pay £11,990
6 Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic 5dr
'10/10, 2421 miles
List price £7725
Target Price £7547
Price you pay £6295
7 Mazda MX-5 2.0i SE
'10/10, 4000 miles
List price £18,295
Target Price £16,898
Price you pay £13,900
8 Peugeot 207 1.4 VTi 95 Sport 5dr
'10/10, 3400 miles
List price £13,495
Target Price £12,550
Price you pay £8500
9 Renault Megane 1.5 dCi 86 Expression 5dr
'10/10, 3089 miles
List price £17,415
Target Price £14,572
Price you pay £10,989
10 Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 VVT Exclusiv 5dr
'10/10, 100 miles
List price £18,925
Target Price £ 7,716
Price you pay £11,991
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New car discounts fall as prices go up
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:10:00 GMT)
New car discounts have dropped by over 12% over the past 12 months, while most list prices have shot up.
According to the What Car? Target Price (What Car?'s monthly mystery shop of thousands of new car deals), the average discount car buyers should be able to haggle off a new car this September is £1779, £248 less than September 2009 when the average discount was £2027.
However, there are still some great deals out there for anyone willing to do a bit of research before they buy. What Car?'s deal-hunters have been sniffing out the best deals on 60 new cars to coincide with today's 60-plate change. Savings on the 60 most searched for cars on whatcar.com total more than £158,000.
Car buyers rate a big discount ahead of any other incentive, according to a poll on whatcar.com – 58% of car buyers would rather have a bigger discount than an extended warranty. Low rate finance was a bigger temptation than long warranty cover, too.
Steve Fowler, What Car? editor-in-chief, commented: 'Even though discounts are down, it still pays to sniff out the best car deals online before you go shopping. You might not want to shop online, but sticking a print out under a car dealer’s nose is a sure-fire way to get them to up their own discount'.
Read 60 deals on 60-plate cars
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What Car? live Q&A replay
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:40:00 GMT)
The What Car? lunchtime question and answer session has now ended, but you can scroll down the page to replay the entire event.
The next live Q&A session
Don't worry if you missed today's live Q&A session, we'll be doing it all over again next Tuesday lunchtime.
The next session will be live on Tuesday, September 7.
How to take part
If you've got a motoring-related question for the team, then simply log on between 1-2pm next Tuesday and our experts will do their best to provide you with an answer.
Answering your questions:
The What Car? team today were:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Pete Tullin: What Car? road test editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Euan Doig: What Car? group production editor
What Car? Q&A replay
To replay the today's event, just click the button, below.You can also replay previous sessions by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Iain Reid:
whatcar.com producer Pete Tullin:
What Car? road test editor Matt Sanger:
What Car? used car editor Euan Doig:
What Car? group production editor
Previous Q&A sessionsReplay our previous live Q&A sessions by clicking below. Tuesday, Aug 24 sessionTuesday, Aug 17 sessionTuesday, Aug 10 sessionTuesday, Aug 3 sessionTuesday, July 27 sessionTuesday, July 20 sessionTuesday, July 13 sessionTuesday, July 6 sessionTuesday, June 15 sessionTuesday, June 8 sessionTuesday, June 1 sessionTuesday, May 25 session
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Volvo unveils two cleaner petrol engines
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:40:00 GMT)
Volvo will introduce two new 1.6-litre engines to its S60 and the new V60 ranges later this year.
The engines will have direct injection, variable valve timing and turbocharging. The T3 produces 148bhp and T4 engines gives 178bhp, and both meet Euro V emissions regulations.
The engines – which are made of aluminium to save weight – are quoted as having 177lb ft of torque, but the stronger T4 engine has an overboost function, which gives 199lb ft for a brief period.
Efficiency measures
To improve fuel economy and cut emissions, both units come with Volvo’s DRIVe fuel-saving technology.
When specified with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, they come with an engine stop-start system. You miss out on that if you pair the T4 engine with the optional six-speed Powershift semi-automatic transmission (which is not available with the T3 engine), but it does automatically disengage the gear when the driver releases the accelerator while the car is moving to reduce rolling resistance.
Volvo is yet to confirm details of the engines’ fuel economy or emissions, but the company says that they should give up to a 20% improvement in both over engines of similar size and similar performance.
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What Car? Q&A live now
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:40:00 GMT)
The What Car? lunchtime question and answer session is now live.
Our team will be on hand 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.
How to take part
If you've got a motoring-related question for the team, then simply enter it in the box below and our experts will do their best to provide you with an answer.
Answering your questions:
The What Car? team today are:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Pete Tullin: What Car? road test editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Euan Doig: What Car? group production editor
Live Q&A
Iain Reid:
whatcar.com producer Pete Tullin:
What Car? road test editor Matt Sanger:
What Car? used car editor Euan Doig:
What Car? group production editor
Previous Q&A sessionsReplay our previous live Q&A sessions by clicking below. Tuesday, Aug 24 sessionTuesday, Aug 17 sessionTuesday, Aug 10 sessionTuesday, Aug 3 sessionTuesday, July 27 sessionTuesday, July 20 sessionTuesday, July 13 sessionTuesday, July 6 sessionTuesday, June 15 sessionTuesday, June 8 sessionTuesday, June 1 sessionTuesday, May 25 session
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Toll roads 'not the answer'
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:30:00 GMT)
Private toll roads are not the answer to the UK's congestion problems, according to a new report.
The Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) report has claimed that the M6 Toll – the UK's only private motorway – had failed to create a significant cut in congestion since it was opened in 2003.
It has also been claimed in the report that the owner of the toll road – Midland Expressway – is losing tens of million pounds each year on the motorway that bypasses Birmingham.
Midland Expressway has not commented on the claims made in the CfBT report.
The CfBT also says that journey times on the M6 are only slightly better than before the M6 Toll opened. It claims drivers are being put off by the £5-a-car fee for using the road.
It is also claimed in the report that the Highways Agency is planning to spend £500 million on easing congestion that the toll road was supposed to address.
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Live lunchtime Q&A on Whatcar.com
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:30:00 GMT)
What Car? is hosting the latest in our live Q&A session today, Tuesday, August 31, between 1-2pm.
Whether you're looking for advice on buying a new or used car, or have some other motoring-related issue that you'd like to try and resolve, our team of experts will be on hand to help out.
How it works
Simply log on, submit your question and we'll get through as many as we can.
Depending on how many questions we get we might not be able to answer them all, and some issues might be too involved to clear up in the limited time we have available.
Set the date
Make sure you don't miss the opportunity to put your questions direct to the What Car? team by entering your e-mail address in the box on the right – and you'll get a reminder before the Q&A session starts.
What Car? live Q&A, Tuesday, August 31, from 1-2pm
Here are the experts who'll be answering your questions:
• Iain Reid: whatcar.com producer
• Pete Tullin: What Car? road test editor
• Matt Sanger: What Car? used car editor
• Euan Doig: What Car? production editor
Join us live from 1pm Tuesday, August 31.
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Euro-spec Mitsubishi iMiEV at Paris show
(Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:46:00 GMT)
The Euro-spec Mitsubishi iMiEV will be revealed at the Paris motor show at the end of September.
The European version of the all-electric iMiEV gets the following features:
• New design for the front and rear bumpers
• Rearranged centre stack
• Improved interior comfort
Safety improvements
Along with the design changes, the Euro-spec iMiEV also gets a safety upgrade. These upgrades include active stability control and side curtain airbags as standard.
Price drop
Mitsubishi has also slashed the price of the iMiEV from £38,699 to £28,990 for orders that are placed for delivery before January 1. Factor in the £5000 Government grant available for the purchase of low-carbon cars and you could be paying £23,999 for the electric supermini.
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New Citroen DS4 revealed
(Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:01:00 GMT)
This is the Citroen DS4, a sporty-looking rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, and the second model of Citroen's DS range.
The car will be unveiled at the Paris motor show next month and is based on the new Citroen C4, also set to be on show in Paris.
However the DS4 is 6cm shorter than the C4 – mostly due to the shorter rear overhang - and the bonnet and lights are the only external parts that it shares with the new C4.
The DS4 is a five-door, five-seat hatchback that's slightly raised to give it a sportier crossover look than a traditional small family hatch.
The car will be available with a choice of five engines – two diesels and three petrols, including a 197bhp petrol engine that will also appear in the Citroen DS3 Racing hot hatch. The other petrol engines are also 1.6-litre units, but with 118bhp and 152bhp.
The diesels come with either 109bhp or 158bhp.
The DS4 will also have an eco version, fitted with a 1.6-litre diesel engine, that comes with a range of fuel-saving features, such as stop-start and an energy recovery system when the driver brakes. Fuel economy and emission details have yet to be revealed, however.
For the moment, Citroen concentrates on the car's styling. There's a large panoramic sunroof, daytime running LED lights and the 'hidden' rear-door handles integrated into the door frames. It still seems a practical car, however. Citroen says the rear seats are full size, the car has a 370-litre boot and the cabin has plenty of cubbies and storage.
Loads of personalisation possibilities
DS4 buyers will have a host of personalisation options available. The interior can be specced with a choice of five leather combinations, while range-topping versions will have leather on the dashboard and door panels.
Other features and options include massaging front seats, polyphonic sounds for alerts and reminders and ambient lighting in a range of colours.
The DS4 also comes with what it calls an eTouch Assistance System, which automatically or manually makes emergency or assistance calls in the event of an accident or if the car is immobilised.
The car also has a blind spot monitoring system and cruise control.
Prices have yet to be revealed, but expect to pay around £18,000. The car goes on sale here next August.
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Mazda reveals extra-green Sky engines
(Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:01:00 GMT)
Mazda is putting the finishing touches to new advanced petrol and diesel engines and manual and automatic transmissions that will bring fuel economy savings of up to 20% in its medium and large cars.
Some of the technology they employ has forced Mazda to develop an all-new platform with an engine bay big enough to take them.
The platform can be adapted for anything from mid-sized hatchbacks and SUVs to larger family cars and MPVs. Mazda is also developing a new suspension system that, it says, will solve the ride and noise issues with some of its current models. More precise electronic power steering is also on the way.
The new engines are called Sky ('because the sky's the limit', says the company's research and development chief, Seita Kanai) and will initially be available as a 165bhp 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol unit and a 175bhp 2.2-litre diesel.
Both will be available with the new six-speed manual or auto gearboxes. More powerful and smaller-capacity versions of the Sky family will follow. All will meet emissions regulations not due to come into force until 2014.
Torquey petrols, smooth diesels
They'll be seen first in the next Mazda 6, arriving in the UK in 2012. The aim was to create a range of petrol engines with something close to the torque characteristics and fuel economy of diesels, and diesel units with the refinement and smoothness of petrols.
Mazda has targeted a CO2 figure of 105g/km for the manual diesel, with fuel economy 20% better than the equivalent 6 today, while the aim for the petrol unit is CO2 emissions of 140g/km and 15% fuel savings.
The petrol develops 144lb ft of torque all the way from 2000rpm to 5500, with a peak of 155lb ft. The diesel, meanwhile is unusual in that it revs to 5200rpm rather than the 4500rpm of most rivals, thanks to an increased spray of fuel delivered at higher pressure, and lighter moving parts. It has a maximum 310lb ft of torque from 2000rpm, although there's smooth acceleration from around 1500rpm.
New drivetrains tested
We've tried all combinations of the new engines and gearboxes in prototypes disguised as current Mazda 6s, and they're impressive in their smoothness and consistent acceleration over a wide rev range. Mazda's claims that the petrol and diesel deliver their torque in a similar way are borne out: the biggest difference is that the diesel has double the torque of the petrol engine.
Both engines have a new space-consuming exhaust layout that disperses waste gases better than a conventional system, for greater efficiency. This, and the need to package the new rear suspension, was partly behind the need for the new platform, which is 20kg lighter than the platform of the current 6, despite being 30% stiffer.
The benefits of the increased stiffness will be improved crash protection and reduced transmission of road noise into the cabin.
The overall weight saving compared with today's 6 is 100kg. Mazda's iStop stop-start system, regenerative braking and new electronc power steering will also be fitted as standard.
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