Buy a NEW Car

Visit What Car? for exclusive previews
(Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:51:00 GMT)

What Car? has a pair of exciting and exclusive previews of new cars coming up – and you could be on the guest list.

Preview the Nissan Juke
On March 17, we're inviting readers to get up close and personal with Nissan's new Juke – a supermini-sized crossover that offers something different to the norm.

Preview the Vauxhall Meriva
The second preview is on March 22, and is your chance to try out the clever doors and seating flexibility in the next-generation Vauxhall Meriva.

We have space for six readers at each of the events, both which run from 4-6pm and will be held in our studios at the What Car? HQ in Teddington, Middlesex.

Sign up now
If you would like to take part in the Juke event, e-mail readertestteam@haymarket.com by midnight Sunday, March 14.

If the Meriva is more your bag, e-mail readertestteam@haynet.com by midnight Sunday, March 14.

Make sure you 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 cars.

We'll contact six successful entrants prior to each preview.

Your comments and photographs will appear in future issues of What Car? magazine's Reader Test Team feature. You'll also be asked to speak on camera for footage to be broadcast on whatcar.com.

Please note that you will not be able to drive the car – this is a chance to give your views on its design, ergonomics and specification.

Want to know more?
Click on the links below to find out more about the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Meriva and other cars that readers have come to see at What Car? HQ.

Vauxhall Meriva driven

Nissan Juke revealed

Aston Martin Rapide

BMW 5 Series

Citroen DS3

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Surrey tops pothole chart
(Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:51:00 GMT)

Surrey is the most pothole-riddled county in the UK with reports of 1998 holes, according to a survey by Kia.

The manufacturer revealed Hampshire as the second-worst-afflicted area, with 892 reports of potholes, while Kent ranked third with 857.

Surrey not impressed
Surrey County Council rubbished the report. 'The results of this survey are so inaccurate they are absurd,' said a spokesman.

'Kia claims Surrey has 1998 potholes and other counties in Britain have even less – this is pure nonsense.

'In Surrey we have fixed around 15,000 road defects – including potholes – since the recent bad weather alone.'

The council is calling for more cash to invest in long-term improvements in the road network rather than patchwork emergency repairs. It argues that proper investment in Surrey's roads over the previous 15 years would have encouraged more business growth and earned the Government £750 million more in tax each year.

Claim for pothole damage
Authorities have a duty of care to maintain carriageways so, in theory, you can claim compensation for damage caused to your car by potholes. Here's how:

Take a date-stamped picture of the pothole, with something to show the diameter of the hole. Take another picture of the damage caused to your car. Send these, with written estimates for the cost of repairs, to the relevant council (the county council or London borough).

In reality, however, the amount that councils have paid in compensation has shrunk dramatically. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance Survey estimates payouts peaked at £121 million in 2002, but have since fallen to just £22.1 million in 2009.

UK's top 10 pothole hotspots
Is your county in Kia's list of shame?

1 Surrey (1998)
2 Hampshire (892)
3 Kent (857)
4 Hertfordshire (855)
5 Oxfordshire (796)
6 Lancashire (733)
7 Essex (734)
8 West Sussex (680)
9 Buckinghamshire (678)
10 Gloucestershire (655)

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Fiat's new engines and the F1 Ferrari
(Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:46:00 GMT)

Fiat has revealed that the clever technology behind its Multiair engines has been tried in a Formula One Ferrari.

The test was part of the development schedule for the technology, but to also to see if it could eventually give Ferrari an advantage in F1.

'Multiair technology works best with turbocharged engines, so at this stage there is no benefit in using it in F1,' says Massimo Fulfaro, the Multiair product manager.

How Multiair works
Multiair is an electro-hydraulic form of variable valve timing that helps improve performance and fuel consumption. In effect, it makes the engine act like human lungs, drawing in just the right amount of air (and fuel) it needs at any moment.

Electro-magnetic and electro-mechanical systems from other manufacturers have promised similar things in the past, but Fulfaro claims they are either too costly or too slow in operation.

'This technology (Multiair) will become the standard for petrol engines,' he claims. It's currently available in 1.4-litre versions of the Fiat Punto Evo, and has just gone into the Alfa Romeo Mito.

Fulfaro says that Fiat is currently developing a Multiair version of the Chrysler V6 engine (Fiat holds a 35% stake in the American company) and believes the technology will help diesels meet the tougher EU6 emissions standards due to come into force in 2014.

'Only with Multiair will you be able to meet EU6 levels at a lower cost,' he claims.

Vauxhall Meriva exclusive preview
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:31:00 GMT)

Could Vauxhall's new Meriva be the most family-friendly MPV ever made? We're looking for six readers to tell us what they think, at an exclusive private preview.

Join our exclusive preview
If you would like to take part, email readertestteam@haynet.com by midnight this Sunday, March 14, including 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 Vauxhall Meriva.

When and where
The exclusive preview will take place on Monday, March 22 from 4-6pm at What Car?'s HQ in Teddington, Middlesex.

First look
The new Meriva boasts a flexible cabin layout, rear-hinged doors for ultra-easy access, a standard kit list which includes a CD player, electric windows and heated door mirrors, and a storage rail running the length of the cabin. There's a choice of three petrol engines and two diesels for the car which costs from £15,495.

Your comments and photographs will appear in the June issue of What Car? magazine's Reader Test Team feature; you'll also be asked to speak on camera for footage to be broadcast on whatcar.com.

Six readers will be invited to attend – we'll get in touch on Monday, March 15 if you've been successful, with further details of the event.

(Please note that you will not be able to drive the car – this is a chance to give your views on its design, ergonomics and specification.)

Want to know more?
Click on the links below to find out more about the Vauxhall Meriva and see other new car previews.

Vauxhall Meriva driven

Ford Grand C-Max Reader Test Team video

Aston Martin Rapide

BMW 5 Series

Citroen DS3

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Win 25 free driving lessons!
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT)

We are offering the chance to win 25 free lessons with your local What Car? driving instructor – a prize that will set you on the road to independence.

What Car? Driving School uses only the finest instructors to give you the best chance of passing your driving test.

Unlike most other national driving schools, we use Driving Standards Agency (DSA) fully qualified instructors who also meet our own selection criteria.

To enter, click What Car? Driving School Competition

Our stars of the Geneva motor show
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:18:00 GMT)

It's a week on from the madness of the Geneva motor show press day, but now the dust has settled, what was the star of the show?

The whatcar.com Geneva team has put together a 'two good, too bad' selection of cars from the show to sort out the delights from the duffers.

On the basis of our thoughts, the award for star of the show goes to either the Kia Sportage, Mini Countryman and the Porsche 918 Spyder. Click through our report and see if you agree.

Steve Fowler – group editor, What Car?
Two good
Mini Countryman – will anyone want a Mini SUV that’s built in Austria? Yes, me!
Kia Sportage – at last, the Koreans discover soft-touch interiors. Looks fab and it's great value, too.
Too bad
Nissan Micra – a rare case where the old model looks more appealing than the new one.
Porsche Cayenne – a car that’s got uglier and less desirable with every design tweak.

Iain Reid – web producer, whatcar.com
Two good
Honda CR-Z – at last, a hybrid that looks cool.
Justin Timberlake's honesty – asked at the VW Group preview: 'Why did you become an ambassador for Audi?' He replied: 'Because they paid me a lot of money.'
Too bad
Bugatti 16 C Galibier – there's more than a hint of Porsche Panamera in the rear of the car.
Mazda 5 – no clever seating tricks, no wrap-over windscreen, just looks that are verging on the bland and sliding doors – which the current model has anyway.

Peter Lawton – deputy editor, whatcar.com
Two good
Mini Countryman – I thought I'd hate the Countryman, but I actually quite liked it. I spent more time playing around with this car than any other at the show.
Porsche 918 Spyder – you've got to dream, haven’t you? Those bright green brake callipers remind me of Jane Fonda's ankle warmers though (you might have to Google these if you're under 40).
Too bad
Mazda 5/Ford C-Max – the seats are too complicated to operate. They're a far cry from the ones in the Citroen C4 Picasso and Peugeot 5008, which you can flip and fold with one hand while holding a baby in the other.
Lexus CT200h – it's great that the premium small family car segment is finally getting a hybrid, but does it really have to look like this?

Roger Stansfield – associate editor, What Car?
Two good
Nissan Juke – something very different.
Porsche 918 Spyder – a technological smorgasbord.
Too bad
Audi A1 – what’s wrong with a VW Polo?
Citroen Survolt – too much pink and too many wings – a cross between Lady Penelope and Dick Dastardly.

Will Nightingale – consumer reporter, What Car?
Two good
Alfa Romeo Giulietta – Lots of promise – whatcar.com readers voted it their favourite car of the Geneva motor show.
Kia Sportage – a huge step forward for Kia’s crossover – it looks sharp and the interior isn’t half bad, either.
Too bad
Honda CR-Z – a dancer falling off the stage during the unveiling. Oops!
Aston Martin Cygnet – takes badge engineering to a whole new level – £30k for what’s essentially a Toyota iQ!

Pete Barden – sub editor, whatcar.com
Two good
Ford Focus – not just the practical, dull option any more.
Porsche Boxster Spyder – 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, top speed of 166mph, and average fuel consumption of 30.4mpg – what's not to like?
Too bad
Ferrari 599 hybrid technology – stop saying what you could do – and do it.
Nissan Micra – bland styling after early drawings hinted at something a little more interesting.

Peter Brown – video editor, whatcar.com
Two Good
Bentley GTC Convertible – suits me, I think.
Audi A1 e-tron – cute styling for rich kids with a conscience.
Too Bad
BMW 5 Series –looks too big to drive, but too small to be driven in.
Renault Wind – chunky and ugly - just like me.

Dramatic cuts in UK CO2 emissions
(Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:40:00 GMT)

Carbon dioxide emissions in the UK have been slashed thanks to the scrappage scheme and recession, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

The SMMT's report reveals that average CO2 levels for 2009 were down 5.4% to 149g/km, compared with figures for the previous year.

Biggest fall since records began
The drop is three times as fast as the average annual rate recorded since the study was launched in 1997 and is, in part, caused by motorists turning to more economical cars, and the scrappage scheme cutting the number of older, less efficient cars on the road.

Although the scrappage incentive doesn't impose a CO2 cap, the average emissions of cars bought through the scheme so far is 133.3g/km – 26.8% less than the average scrapped car.

Incentives need to be ongoing
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: 'While scrappage incentives made a positive contribution to fleet renewal in 2009, there is a risk that over the next few years motorists might be deterred from investing in the latest technology.

'Developing a long-term and consistent approach to vehicle taxation and environmental incentives will be important in maintaining the current rate of improvement.'

If the current rate of reduction in emissions continues, the UK will hit the 2015 average new car emissions target of 130g/km set by the EU, and which comes into force in 2015.

Fall in new car emissions

Year
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

Average new car CO2
177.6g/km
174.2g/km
172.1g/km
171.4g/km
169.4g/km
167.2g/km
164.9g/km
158.0g/km
149.5g/km

Drop on previous year
–
1.9%
1.2%
0.4%
1.2%
1.3%
1.4%
4.2%
5.4%

Toyota's hydrogen cars reach Europe
(Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:54:00 GMT)

Toyota has taken another step towards its goal of putting hydrogen fuel-cell cars on sale by 2015 by supplying its hydrogen cars to a scheme in Germany.

The company is giving five of its FCHV fuel-cell vehicles to the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP) in Germany, a government-funded project that aims to develop the infrastructure necessary for alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Tadashi Arashima, president of Toyota Europe, said: 'We firmly believe that fuel cell-powered vehicles will play a major role in reducing emissions and achieving sustainable mobility.

'Close tie-ups between car manufacturers and infrastructure companies are vital.'

Infrastructure growing – slowly
Besides the two billion euro investment in the CEP project, which will install refuelling points between Berlin and Hamburg, other countries in Europe are slowly putting a skeleton refuelling structure in place.

There are 15 refuelling stations in Scandinavia, while the M4 is targeted as becoming the UK's first hyrdrogen highway by as early as 2015.

Stars in hydrogen cars
The FCHV cars that Toyota will supply to the CEP by 2011 are not the first to join the roads.

Rival brand Honda already has several FCX Clarity models in use in America, including with celebs such as Jamie Lee Curtis, and What Car? Group Editor Steve Fowler has also driven one. Click FCX Clarity driven for more.

Mazda has been developing hydrogen vehicles for more than 18 years. Take a look at Mazda and the hydrogen highway.

General Motors favours local heroes
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:25:00 GMT)

Vauxhall, Opel and other General Motors companies will continue to develop cars to suit local conditions rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach.

This is in contrast to arch-rival Ford, which has developed a 'One Ford' policy under CEO Alan Mulally, under which cars are developed with global sales in mind.

'Where do we develop our vehicles? We do it always in the region where they will be sold,' said Rita Forst, Vauxhall's head of engineering.

'You can change a lot of things by specification, but in the end you have to understand what Vauxhall and Opel stands for.

'We stand for German engineering, high quality and flexibility. That means there has to be autonomy (in the different regions). Our mainstream cars will always be designed and engineered "at home", but even with niche cars that are brought in from outside (such as Chevrolets from America and Korea) my people are involved at an early stage to ensure that they have the right DNA.'

Hot deals whatever the weather
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:15:00 GMT)

Has spring finally sprung, or are we due another deluge?

Do you fancy a new 10 plate convertible to make the most of the sun now it's arrived? Or do you think you need a 4x4 just to make it to the local shop?

Either way, What Car? can help save you plenty of cash with hundreds of offers on all manner of cars. Whet your appetite with these deals or click on New Cars For Sale to start searching for more savings.

BMW 3 Series Convertible
Great to drive and refined whether the roof’s up or down. You can save more than £5000 on the list price of a 325d M Sport with Coast2coastcars.co.uk.
Find the BMW 3 Series Convertible deal here

Audi A5 Cabriolet
The Audi's not as fun to drive as the BMW, or as refined, but it's a super-stylish option, and with nearly £4000 off it's worth a look.
Find the Audi A5 Cabriolet deal here

Ford Focus CC
If your budget can't stretch to the Audi or BMW, don't despair. There are plenty of more affordable options and with more than £5000 off the list price you can have the Focus CC for less than £18,000 with Autobytel.
Find the Ford Focus CC deal here

Volkswagen Eos
The VW Eos is another great convertible with a folding hard top. It's always been a bit pricey, but £3499 off the list price with UKnewcars.co.uk takes a bit of the sting out.
Find the Volkswagen Eos deal here

Deals on 4x4s
Audi Q7
Transport for seven no matter the weather, the Q7 is a big car with a big pricetag. Drivethedeal.com can chop more than £6000 off the price, however.
Find the Audi Q7 deal here

BMW X5
Another Audi/BMW head-to-head. At £6718 less than the list price with Coast2coastcars.co.uk, you're saving almost £1000 a seat on the X5.
Find the BMW X5 deal here

Honda CR-V
The CR-V is a great car, but Honda dealers are really stingy. No problem. Hop over to Drivethedeal.com and they'll save you £3190 with a price of 20,235.
Find the Honda CR-V deal here

Land Rover Freelander
Superb ride and refinement, and real go-anywhere ability, the Freelander is happy on the road or off it. You'll be happy with a near £6000 saving off a top-spec 2.2 TD4e HSE, too.
Find the Land Rover Freelander deal here

Good week, bad week: March 5
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:42:00 GMT)

It's our review of the good and the bad in a week of motoring-related ups-and-downs…

Good week for new cars, Mini, Vauxhall and Whatcar.com visitors
The Geneva Motor Show is always busy but this year it seemed even more packed than usual.

Sales of new cars were also up, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The SMMT reckons the good news will continue after the scrappage scheme ends this month.

GM has pledged £1.7 billion to Vauxhall, Mini has announced a sub-100g/km model and What Car? has secured the new Nissan Juke for an exclusive preview, especially for you.

Bad week for politicians, roadworks and Kia crash tests
There have been too many people in charge at the Department for Transport, a report says, and Government claims about lower transport emissions are incorrect.

Utility companies face bigger fines for digging up roads and then taking their time while the new Kia Venga had a hiccough in crast tests. A weakness was found in the restraint system during Euro NCAP crash tests so owners have been advised to get in touch with their dealer.

Toyota's week – good or bad?
Mostly bad. Again. The company believes there's nothing wrong, but US owners have been complaining of unintended acceleration in recalled and remedied cars.

The good news? The Toyota Verso was the only car to get the full five-star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash tests.

This is the week that was...
Chinese hybrid and electric cars for UK

Politicians' plans for motorists Introduction

Nissan Juke exclusive preview

No hangover after scrappage party?

Too many cooks at the DfT

Bentley's bid to come clean thwarted

Japanese disagree over electric vehicles

Crash tests show Kia Venga safety worry

Revised Toyota RAV4 on sale in spring

New Mini to drop below 100g/km

Saab: back to Swedish basics

Opel Ampera takes to the road

Vauxhall plans Mini rival

Dacia to launch in UK in 2012

Geneva motor show on video

GM pledges £1.7 billion to Vauxhall/Opel

Vauxhall announces prices for new Meriva

Seat IBe electric concept car

Geneva motor show report 2010

Porsche 918 Spyder revealed

Late roadworks face higher penalties

Most economical Auris announced

Save with our Target Price The big price rise

What Car? needs you!
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:30:00 GMT)

Over the past year or so, a number of internet-based companies have sprung up offering to buy any car, no matter what its age, mileage or condition.

Whatcar.com wants to hear from you if you’ve recently used one of these companies.

We’d like to hear experiences, good and bad, including how competitive the price offered was, how easy the company was to deal with, and how you’d rate the whole process.

Please e-mail What Car? used car editor Matt Sanger at Matt.Sanger@whatcar.com, or write to him at Teddington Studios, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9BE. Mark your envelope 'Internet car buyer survey'.

Mercedes set for electric future
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:27:00 GMT)

Mercedes is preparing for all possibilities as we move towards greater electrification of the car. The F800 concept revealed at the Geneva motor show, although only a research vehicle at this stage, previews a flexible architecture for rear-drive models that could support plug-in hybrids, all-electric and range-extender electric cars, or even those powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

Mercedes has already promised that there will be a plug-in hybrid of the next-generation S-Class. At the Frankfurt motor show last September, CEO Dr Dieter Zetsche said it would be capable of 90mpg and have CO2 emikssions of only 74g/km.

Mercedes had previously announced how it would use the platform of the A- and B-Class to support a variety of electrically-propelled front-drive models.

It may look like Mercedes is having to bet on every horse in the race to ensure it is prepared for whichever future technology wins out, but this isn't so, according to Prof Dr Herbert Kohler, the company's head of environmental research and development. He said: 'You can't bet on the right horse until you know who is part of the race, and at this stage it is too early.

'If all current technology were to be electrified it would bring us a market share of around 20% of the total volume, but pure electric – battery or fuel cell – would have only around 5%. It is totally new technology'

In the medium term, Mercedes favours plug-in hybrids and range-extender electric cars – powered by electricity, but with a small internal combustion engine on board to serve as a generator when needed. Hydrogen fuel cells are a longer-term goal.

'Fuel cells would give us the kind of mobility we are used to. You could never achieve that with a battery electric vehicle because of the amount of time you are forced to invest in recharging,' said Kohler.

An alternative propulsion system needs an alternative infrastructure. For electric vehicles, that can not be supported purely by the household grid.'

He is unimpressed by the idea of a chain of quick-swap battery stations, as proposed by Renault and Nissan. 'We looked at this pattern in 1996, but there are two or three reasons why it would not work,' he said.

'First, the battery needs to be a supportive part of the car (stressed member) for crash safety reasons. Second, you are dealing with currents of 400, 500 or 600 volts, and there are only a few people trained to handle that – even in our own workshop. Third, we still do not know a lot about the cars during normal running. Why do you think it is you cannot buy one of our Smart electric cars yet?'

Kohler admits that the electrification of the car introduces 'huge opportunities for different business models', however, and says that manufacturers 'may no longer simply supply and sell cars'.

Toyota recall woe continues
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:27:00 GMT)

It's the groundhog day from hell for Toyota because US owners are now complaining of unintended acceleration in cars that have been recalled and remedied.

Toyota received reports of the problem from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and has investigated.

A statement from the manufacturer said: 'Although these reports involve a tiny fraction of the more than one million vehicles dealers have repaired to date, Toyota takes them very seriously.'

Toyota's investigations are now being evaluated by NHTSA before the next step is taken, but the company said that it found no evidence of a failure of the throttle control system, brake override feature or in the actual work carried out during the massive recall campaign.

Toyota also says that 'many' of the complaints to NHTSA could not be verified or followed up because of a lack of owner information.

The manufacturer said it would be inappropriate to provide more specific information about its investigations since they are now being evaluated by NHTSA, but asked owners with any concerns to get in touch directly with the company.

Chinese hybrid and electric cars for UK
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:30:00 GMT)

BYD (Build Your Dreams), the first Chinese manufacturer to export cars to the UK, won't do it with conventional petrol and diesel models – instead there will be a plug-in hybrid and an all-electric vehicle, probably in 2012.

Both cars – the hybrid F3DM and the electric e6 – went on show for the first time in Europe at the Geneva motor show, with Mr Paul Lin of BYD's export division promising that the UK is an important part of the company's European plans.

'By 2015 we will have a dealer network and a full range of cars in the UK,' he said.

BYD began selling cars only five years ago, but it has years of expertise in battery technology, and is a key supplier to companies such as Apple, Blackberry and Nokia. It is also big in the new energy business, including solar and wind power.

'Our core competence is in new energy and new energy vehicles. We are a battery-based company. That is why we have chosen to launch with a hybrid and an EV,' added Mr Lin.

F3DM saloon
The F3DM, a mid-sized saloon, is the world's first commercially available dual-mode plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.0-litre petrol engine, a generator and an electric motor with a combined output of 168bhp. It is said to be capable of 60 miles on electric power alone and another 350 miles driven by the petrol engine.

e6 hatchback
The e6 medium-size hatchback, which is just about to go on sale in China and will also be sold in the US later this year, has an expected range of just over 200 miles in cruising mode, according to BYD.

'BYD is a Hong Kong-listed and -registered company,' said Mr Lin. 'We will begin producing the e6 in right-hand drive for Hong Kong later this year, and after that it will be in the UK.'

Heading to Europe
Long-term, the company also plans to set up European design and manufacturing facilities. 'It is impossible to keep China as our supply base,' said Mr Lin. 'We will probably introduce a design centre in Europe first, and then a manufacturing plant.'

BYD sold 450,000 cars in China last year – the maximum it can build – but it plans to increase capacity to a million by the end of 2010, and eventually to double that to two million.

It is currently China's sixth-largest auto-maker, but has ambitions to be number one by 2015 and the largest car manufacturer in the world by 2025.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Toyota recall: the story so far
(Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:30:00 GMT)

Toyota has now recalled more than eight million cars worldwide because of potential issues with a sticking accelerator pedal and a brake problem in its Prius hybrid.

Here's the story so far:

Wednesday, March 5
Complaints from owners of remedied cars
Owners in the US complain of unintended acceleration in cars that have been through the recall process and remedied.

Wednesday, February 23
Toyota eats humble pie
Toyota bosses, including the grandson of the company's founder, appear before a US congressional committee and admit failures in dealing with the recalls.

Wednesday, February 17
New brake-override and Corolla recall
Toyota announces it is to fit a new brake-override system to all new cars - plus it's considering recalling the Corolla model.

Wednesday, February 10
Toyota starts recall repairs
Toyota's service centres are extending hours and working at weekends to fix the faulty pedal. An updates for the Prius's 'glitchy' brake software is also on offer.

Tuesday, February 9
Citroen tops recall table
Citroen tops the league table in the number of recall programmes it launched last year, with 15 separate actions.

Insurance is valid, says Toyota
Toyota has obtained a statement from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to confirm that cars affected by recall notices can still be driven without affecting insurance cover.

Toyota Prius in global recall
Toyota has confirmed a worldwide recall of its flagship Prius hybrid to fix a potential problem with its brakes. The recall affects more than 8500 Prius hybrid cars sold in the UK.

Monday, February 8
Toyota Prius recall imminent
The Toyota Prius is expected to be recalled worldwide amid fears that its brakes could fail, according to reports from Japan.

Friday, February 5
Toyota chief makes recall statement
Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, has issued a statement, detailing his regret about the worry that the worldwide recall of Toyota's cars has caused his customers.

Toyota Prius may be recalled abroad
Some of Toyota's 2010 Prius hybrids may be recalled after brake problems with some cars.

How to stop if your accelerator sticks
How to cope in the unlikely event your car's accelerator pedal gets stuck.

Thursday, February 4
Extended hours for Toyota workshops
Toyota says its UK service centres will be open for extended hours and at weekends to cope with the massive recall.

Wednesday, February 3
Toyota confirms vehicles for UK recall
Toyota has identified the vehicles in the UK that are to be recalled to rectify an accelerator safety problem.

Tuesday, February 2
Toyota announces recall 'fix'
Toyota has said it has a 'comprehensive fix' for the 'sticky accelerator' pedal problem that has resulted in eight models being recalled across Europe.

Monday, February 1
Citroen and Peugeot join Toyota recall
PSA, the company that owns Citroen and Peugeot, is to recall more than 97,000 Citroen C1s and Peugeot 107s.

Friday, January 28
Toyota and Honda recall 2 million cars
Toyota will be recalling eight models in Europe in order to solve a potential accelerator pedal problem, and Honda has announced that it will recall Jazz models after one caught fire.

Thursday, January 27
Toyota confirms European recall
Toyota is to recall UK-based cars that might be affected by a faulty accelerator pedal.

Wednesday, January 26
Toyota suspends sales in US
Toyota has revealed that it is to suspend sales of eight of its most popular vehicles in the US.

Nissan Juke exclusive preview
(Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:40:00 GMT)

The Nissan Juke was revealed at the Geneva motor show this week, but how would you like to be one of the first people to see the car in the UK?

What Car? is looking for six readers to attend an exclusive private preview of the car, and tell us in their own words what they think of Nissan's baby Qashqai.

The preview will take place What Car?'s offices in Teddington, Middlesex, from 4-6pm on Wednesday March 17.

If you would like to take part, e-mail readertestteam@haymarket.com by midnight this Sunday, March 7, including the following: what car you currently drive, where you'll be travelling from on the day, your mobile number and a few lines on why you're interested in seeing the new Nissan Juke.

Your comments and photographs will appear in the May issue of What Car? magazine's Reader Test Team feature. You will also be asked to speak on camera for footage at whatcar.com.

Please bear in mind that you will not be able to drive the car – this is a chance to give your views on its design, ergonomics and specification.

Six readers will be invited to attend – we'll get in touch on Monday March 8 if you've been successful, with further details of the event.

Want to know more?
Click on the links below to find out more about the Nissan Juke and see other new car previews.

Nissan Juke revealed

Aston Martin Rapide

BMW 5 Series

Citroen DS3

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

No hangover after scrappage party?
(Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:29:00 GMT)

The car industry will survive the end of the scrappage scheme without suffering an immediate hangover, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Releasing more encouraging registration figures for February today, the SMMT says the boost provided by the scheme will continue after March when the scheme ends..

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said, ‘Scrappage has generated eight consecutive months of growth in the new car market, and we expect its benefits to stretch beyond the scheme’s closure.

‘Strengthening business and consumer confidence remains the priority. Improved access to affordable credit are essential elements in sustaining recovery in the new car market.’

So far this year, scrappage has helped to increase sales by 28.7% compared with the first two months of 2009, with 214,165 registrations since the beginning of the year.

The Fiesta continues as the top seller with 3236 sold in February and 12,121 so far this year. Supermins and small family cars dominate the list of top 10 best sellers – the largest car is the 10th-placed BMW 3 Series, with 3580 sold this year.

Forget hangovers
However, Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche thinks the wider economic outlook is less certain than UK car sales. Talking to the Financial Times about the removal of economic stimulus packages, Zetsche said: ‘It is like cold turkey. But the world needs to stop taking the drugs and I guess we'll see whether it can do that.’

Top ten sellers…

Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Car
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
VW Golf
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Corsa
Hyundai i10
VW Polo
BMW 3 Series
Kia Picanto
Peugeot 207

… in February
3236
3035
2586
2524
2391
1938
1900
1599
1573
1422

Car
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Corsa
VW Polo
Vauxhall Astra
VW Golf
Peugeot 207
Hyundai i10
Audi A3
BMW 3 Series

… year to date
12,121
9988
8179
7607
7599
6974
5275
4893
3699
3580

Japanese disagree over electric vehicles
(Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:59:00 GMT)

Two of Japan's major car makers are at odds over the future for electric vehicles (EVs). While Nissan and its Alliance partner, Renault, plan to launch seven between them in the next few years, Toyota remains lukewarm at best. It believes the immediate future lies with hybrids.

The future
Nissan will begin the roll-out of EVs later this year with the Leaf, a five-seat compact hatchback being shown in Europe for the first time at the Geneva motor show. The car might even be built at the company's Sunderland factory.

It will be followed by an electric, light commercial vehicle and a plug-in luxury car, says Hideaki Watanabe, head of electric vehicles for the Alliance. Renault, meanwhile, will introduce four electric vehicles in 2011-12, ranging from a four-wheeled covered scooter to a family saloon.

Toyota has three hybrids on display at the Geneva show – a prototype plug-in Prius, a petrol-electric version of the Auris, that will go into production in Derbyshire later this year, and the premium compact Lexus CT 200h.

Batteries leave Toyota flat
Toyota's head of hybrids, Masatu Katsumata, says the company's objection to EVs stems from the limits of current battery technology.

'We are looking at it purely from the engineering aspect,' says Katsumata. 'Battery technology innovation is a big barrier. Electric vehicles will be difficult to realise in the next 10 years. If there is a battery technology breakthrough things could be different from our analysis, but even then there would be the problem of long-range driving.'

Hybrids are the driving force for Toyota
Katsumata says the desired short- and medium-term cuts in CO2 can be achieved with hybrids, and points to the plug-in Prius, which will have an official rating of 59g/km – way better than any car currently on sale from a mass-market manufacturer. It will be on sale in 2012.

Watanabe - of the Nissan/Renault Alliance - argues that electric cars will soon cover the needs of many city commuters while improvements in petrol and diesel technology will help to bring down the emissions of long-distance transport. The Alliance expects that 10% of its sales will be electric cars by 2020.

'We are taking a holistic approach,' he says. 'We do not want EVs to be niche. Without the Alliance we would not be able to produce zero-emissions vehicles. It means there are no duplications in technology and that investments are shared.'

He says that, initially, the countries that are most interested in EVs will be prepared to subsidise buyers (the UK has promised handouts of between £3000 and £5000) and even if these incentives disappear, costs will come down to compensate. 'Look at anti-lock brakes or airbags,' he argues. 'Today they cost nearly nothing.'

Meeting of minds
The one thing both sides agree about is the importance of an advanced new generation of batteries. Watanabe claims that by going electric now, the Alliance is 'jumping the high hurdle' to other technology such as plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell cars. Toyota believes that by creating super-efficient hybrid powertrains, these can be easily adapted to work with EVs or fuel cells with the right batteries.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Opel Ampera takes to the road
(Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:15:00 GMT)

Opel drove its Ampera range-extender electric vehicle the 400 miles from Germany to the Geneva motor show to prove the effectiveness of the car's drive system.

The drivetrain – which is capable of around 35 miles on plug-in electric power, but which also has a 1.4-litre petrol engine to act as an electricity generator to give the car an extra 300 miles' range – is due to go on sale in America as the Chevrolet Volt later this year, and in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera in 2011/12.

The Ampera is an Astra-sized car, but at Geneva Opel is showing the Flextreme GT/E to illustrate how the drivetrain might be used in a larger, more luxurious vehicle.

Range-extender drive system
The company insists that a range-extender drive system is the most logical way of bridging the gap between fossil-fuel cars and pure electric vehicles.

'The Ampera will be on sale in Europe in 2011 and I do not see an infrastructure to support purely electric cars being in place by then,' says Gherardo Corsini, the head of the Ampera development programme. 'This is the first product that is a solution for mainstream use but is also good for the environment.

'Electro-mobility is not something for niches. Only by making it mainstream can we prove this technology is sustainable.'

High price to pay
In time the range-extender powertrain may also filter down to Corsa-sized cars, although currently cost is the major issue. 'New technology is always costly,' says Rita Forst, Vauxhall head of engineering. It has been estimated that the Ampera could cost as much as £25,000 without some sort of subsidy or leasing system for the batteries.

However, Forst says the technology can be packaged into cars of any size, and hints that there could be more than one small car to adopt it.

'You have to remember that the EU has set an average CO2 target of 95g/km by 2020 and we can not meet this by conventional technology,' she said.

Vauxhall and Opel are unlikely to develop diesel range-extender cars, though. Forst says she 'does not see a place for them'.

Corsini added: 'A range-extender will be driven for most of the time within its most efficient range, similar to a petrol engine, while diesels are best at part load. Longer term, the technology is likely to be most complementary with fuel cells.'

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Dacia to launch in UK in 2012
(Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:00:00 GMT)

Renault has confirmed that its Dacia budget brand will launch in the UK at the end of 2012.

Renault had previously planned to launch Dacia in the UK in 2008, but postponed this due to demand for the cars in other European markets.

Renault Chief Executive Patrick Pélata made the announcement at the Geneva motor show, telling What Car? that the time was now right for Dacia to come to the UK.

First to arrive will be right-hand drive versions of the new Dacia Duster SUV, launched at the Geneva show. Like all Dacias, value for money is key, with the Duster offering plenty of space and equipment for the money - at over 4300mm long and with a boot capacity ranging from 474 to 1636 litres, it's a similar size to a Toyota RAV4.

Three Renault-sourced engines are available on the Euro-spec Duster: a 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol and two 1.5-litre dCi diesels with 86bhp and 107bhp. Emissions should be reasonable with the diesel engines starting from 135g/km of CO2 for the two-wheel drive dCi diesel to 145g/km for the four-wheel-drive car with the same engine.

Prices for the two-wheel-drive version start at €11,900 in Europe (around £10,800), while the four-wheel-drive car costs from €13,900 (£12,600).

More Dacias will arrive in the UK in 2013 with hatch and estate versions of the next generation of Logan. The current Logan costs from €7300 (around £6600) in Europe.

All Logans will come with three-year warranties and it's expected that Dacia's 'no haggle' policy will also find its way to the UK. Dacia dealers work on tight margins, leaving no room for discounts. With demand for the cars strong right across Europe, Renault says it doesn't have to give such incentives.

The cars will be sold through existing Renault dealers, but in a bespoke area of the showroom. However, Pélata did not rule out stand-alone Dacia dealerships 'if numbers allowed'.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Seat IBe electric concept car
(Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:35:00 GMT)

This is Seat's IBe concept car – a sporty-looking electrically powered coupe – which will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show.

What is it?
The IBe is Seat's take on electric-only motoring – showing that just because a car is green, it doesn't have to be dull.

Sporty looks
The Seat IBe is 3.78 metres long – making it more than 25 centimetres shorter than an Ibiza – but is unusually wide (1.8 metres) and low (1.2 metres) to give it sports car proportions.

Other sporty design cues include its two-door layout, low bonnet and long roofline. The short overhang at the front, and chunky rear end combine with the 19-inch wheels to further enhance the car's powerful, compact appearance.

Configured for 2+2 seating, Seat says the IBe is conceived for people with 'youthful lifestyles' and while it has plenty of room for two, the rear seats are for more occasional occupation.

What's under the bonnet?
Power comes from a 101bhp electric motor that's powered by a lithium-ion battery located in the car's rear-end. The IBe can accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited 100mph.

Will it make it into production?
While the concept car is unlikely to make it into production in its current form, Seat told us that it 'gives a subtle clue to the next generation of Seat design'.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta pictures
(Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:05:00 GMT)

Alfa Romeo has released new pictures of its Giulietta small family car, which makes its debut at the Geneva motor show next Tuesday.

The five-door car goes on sale in the UK in June and replaces the 147. Engines will vary in capacity from 1.4- to 2.0-litres with outputs from 104- to 168bhp.

There will also be 232bhp 1.8-litre Quadrifoglio Verde versions (Cloverleaf to you and me).

What's in a name?
The Giulietta name was used on one of the most famous Alfa models, originally built in the 1950s.

The new version was to be called the Milano, but because Alfa decided to leave Milan – after more than 100 years of production in the city – the name was switched.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Jaguar Land Rover nets £340m eco loan
(Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:40:00 GMT)

Hybrid Jaguars and Land Rovers have taken a step closer to the showroom as owner Tata takes out a £340 million loan to fund their development.

Full hybrids, which can run on battery power alone, are part of the plan, along with micro hybrids that recapture lost energy under braking.

The loan from the European Investment Bank will also be used to develop more efficient car bodies.

Ravi Kant, Tata Motors' vice chairman, said: 'This will support the progress of the turnaround at Jaguar Land Rover. We view Jaguar Land Rover as a key part of Tata Motors and we feel confident about its outlook for the future.'

The money could help to secure development jobs in the UK, although it has already been announced that production at the Castle Bromwich or Solihull factories will end by 2015.

The forthcoming Range Rover LRX will be built at the Halewood factory in Merseyside, however. Land Rover is aiming for CO2 emissions of less than 150g/km for all LRX models, as well as a hybrid capable of more than 60mpg with CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

Lotus's plug-in Evora
(Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:08:00 GMT)

Lotus will unveil a plug-in hybrid version of the Evora at the Geneva motor show next week.

The Evora 414E has a total output of 408bhp from a pair of electric motors that can propel the car from 0-60mph in less than four seconds.

Combined range of 300 miles
The 17kWh batteries provide a range of 35 miles and can be recharged fully overnight. For longer journeys, however, there is also a small 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine to charge the battery and extend the range to more than 300 miles – 64 miles farther than a Tesla can do.

Lotus says: 'This is a far more energy-efficient, weight-efficient and cost-effective solution than fitting the vehicle with a larger and more expensive battery, which for the majority of journeys is a redundant weight that increases energy requirements.'

Simulated gearbox and engine noise
Although electric motors do away with the need for gears – the 414E is essentially a single-gear car – the Lotus has a simulated seven-speed, paddle-shift gearshift to make the car feel more 'normal'.

There’s also the HALOsonic Internal and External Sound Synthesis to provide a soundtrack, so drivers can select between the noise of a conventional V6 or V12.

Star Wars
If the V6 or V12 accompaniment isn’t to your taste, however you can also select a more futuristic sound, which Lotus says is akin to the noise of a fighter from Star Wars. We’ll have a listen at the Geneva show and report back.

On a more serious note, as more and more electric cars come onto the market, manufacturers will have to address the fact that the vehicles are near silent and pose a potential danger to cyclists and pedestrians.

Lotus has no timetable for the introduction of the car. It is more a showcase of the technologies that the company can offer to other manufacturers.

Get interactive with whatcar.com...

What Car? Magazine Online is the UK's best source of expert, impartial advice on all aspects of buying, owning and selling cars.
What Car? News

Copyright: (C) What Car?, http://www.whatcar.com/terms