Scrap: Ford Welcome

Ford has welcomed the new car scrappage scheme – by supplementing it with additional discounts of up to £5,000!

This huge cash sum will be off all its larger cars, and will sit separately to the Government’s own scheme which best incentivises smaller, cheaper cars.

Ford calls it ‘Scrappage Plus’, which will be over and above the Government/industry £2k scheme.

It will provide an ADDITIONAL £1250 off a Ford Fusion, up to an ADDITIONAL £3000 off a Ford Galaxy.

Nigel Sharp, Ford of Britain MD, said: ‘This announcement from Ford and the Government is great news for the consumer, as it will help a sizeable group of motorists, who otherwise could not afford it, to purchase a more stylish, safer and greener new Ford.’

Sharp is, however, very keen for the technicalities of the scheme to be revealed to the car maker.

‘We look forward to receiving full details of the programme and working with dealers to make the most of the scheme for our customers.’

He also said it is not the complete answer to the industry’s woes. ‘Although very welcome, the extra sales we expect from this new scheme will only bring a depleted automotive market back up to levels of 15 years ago, at best, so our sector still faces tough challenges.’

Even so, with its bold latest Scrappage Plus incentive, Ford is ensuring the 100,000 car workers in the UK who depend on the car company – including 20,000 within its 650-strong car dealer network – will directly benefit.

There are eco green benefits, too.

Based on the scheme only swapping 1998 Ford Focus 1.6 models for today’s 65.6mpg Ford Focus ECOnetic, an annual saving of 120,000 tonnes of CO2 would be made.

That’s the equivalent output of over 40,000 homes, says Sharp…

To find out more about the Ford Range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Car Dealer Magazine]

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey

Scrap: Renault's Boost

Renault is to offer extra savings over and above the Government-inspired £2k scrappage allowance.

These incentives will chip prices to ultra-low levels, says the car maker. Examples of the savings Renault dealers will be able to offer include:

• Renault Twingo Extreme - £5995
• Renault Clio Extreme 1.2 - £6995
• Megane Extreme 1.6 - £9995

LCVs will be included, too – meaning a new Kangoo Van ML dCi 70 will cost from £7995 – including VAT!

Roland Bouchara, Renault’s MD, said: ‘We welcome today’s announcement for scrappage, and are delighted to be able to go further with additional help for owners of vehicles over 10 years old to be able to benefit from a new Renault car or van.’

The car maker didn’t forget the green element, either. ‘Renault will comply with the End of Life Vehicle Directive, where applicable vehicles will be taken to a Renault approved take-back facility, where the Certificate of Destruction will be issued.’

To find out more about the Renault Range please visit Lifestyle Renault

Source [Car Dealer Magazine]

Lifestyle Renault in Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne - Your preferred Renault Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent and Sussex

How Green are New Cars?

One argument against the Government car scrappage scheme has been that it’s just as green to drive old cars. Not so!

To prove it, Ford has released a set of statistics.

Car Dealer Magazine has been able to scoop these. And they provide car dealers with serious ammo for customers!

Take the Fiesta, the nation’s most popular car. Back in 1996, buyers were likely to take up a 1.4 Zetec SE model. One that could average 34 to the gallon, and emitted 184g/km of CO2.

If they were to drive this into a dealer today, they could pick up £2000 off a brand-new Fiesta Econetic 1.6 TDCi. A car that is faster, yet offers almost DOUBLE the fuel economy, and emits just 98g/km of CO2!

The differences are startling, and that’s before you even start to consider the greater exhaust emissions control systems of modern cars. Not to mention the fact that many older ones may not even be running in prime, fully-serviced condition…

We’ll let the figures speak for themselves…

1996 Fiesta 1.4 Ghia: 34.4mpg, 184g/km CO2
2009 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic: 61.4mpg, 98g/km CO2

1998 Focus 1.6 LX: 31mpg, 162g/km CO2
2009 Focus 1.6 TDCi Econetic: 51.3mpg, 114g/km CO2

1995 Mondeo 1.8 LX: 25.9mpg, 186g/km CO2
2009 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi Econetic: 41.5mpg, 139g/km CO2

To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Car Dealer Magazine]

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey

First Drives - Renault Kangoo 1.5 dCi 86

We hit road to see if renault’s latest van-based carrier delivers.

Meet Renault’s new contender in the space race. The Kangoo has always been a family favourite for its exceptional value and acres of cabin room, and this new car aims to offer even more practicality for your pound.

From the outside there’s no hiding its commercial roots – it was designed as a van first and passenger model second. But that means significant savings in development costs can be passed on to customers.

The slabby looks and steeply raked windscreen won’t win any prizes for style, yet the chunky front bumper and new headlights give a much funkier appearance than the car’s predecessor. The airy cabin is as well appointed as in any other Renault road model, with a simple MPV-style dash, plus a commanding seating position and large glass to offer a fantastic view ahead.

Generous
An 18cm increase in length over the old car has boosted already generous interior dimensions. As well as class-leading rear legroom, there’s now a 660-litre boot with the back seats in place. Fold these and the front passenger chair, and this rises to a huge 2,800 litres. To put that in context, it beats the BMW X5’s capacity by 1,000-plus litres.

We drove the 85bhp 1.5 dCi, which felt rattly on start-up but provided surprisingly smooth and punchy performance once warmed through. Combined economy of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of only 140g/km are also superb for a car of this size. Other units include the 67bhp or 104bhp 1.5 dCis, plus 8v or 16v 1.6-litre petrol engines.

Super-soft suspension gives the Kangoo a very comfortable ride, but through corners there is nothing to stop the high body from rolling significantly. Still, it’s fair to say that dynamic handling was never one of Renault’s aims with this car.

What the Kangoo does offer is more powerful but frugal engines and improved standard kit for only a slightly higher price than before. So, as long as style is a secondary consideration, spacious family transport has never been so affordable.

To find out more about the Renault range please visit Lifestyle Renault

Source [Auto Express] Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Pete Gibson/Otis Clay

Lifestyle Renault in Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne - Your preferred Renault Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent and Sussex

RenaultSport Megane Trophy

Hi-tech trophy race car hints at forthcoming 250.

Most of us will have to wait until the autumn to taste the new Renaultsport Mégane 250 – but the drivers in the European Mégane Trophy race series have got their hands on their 2009 cars now.

Although very different to the roadgoing model, these track-tuned machines show how serious Renault is about its hot hatches... so when we got the opportunity to drive one, we simply couldn’t say no!

The Trophy shares only its lights and screen with the road car. Under the composite body sits a spaceframe chassis and mid-mounted V6. A six-speed sequential box drives the rear wheels, while the suspension has fully adjustable dampers.

Its stunning looks might hint at the road car, but driving the Trophy leaves you in no doubt this is a track-bred race machine. The engine noise is intoxicating, while the grip generated by the ground effects and huge rear wing results in lap times which match those of GT3 sports cars.

Its braking, acceleration and cornering loads are immense, while the incredible gearbox offers instant upshifts which are combined with rapid engine blips on the downshifts. Only two pedals mean you have to use the steering wheel paddle-operated clutch when leaving the pits, and the superb digital information screen displays speed and engine revs.

Built at Renaultsport’s factory in Dieppe, France, this stunning competition car costs £126,000 new – some £100,000 more than the expected price of the road model. That’s likely to leave many drivers out of the race to own one, but if you want to get up close to this incredible Mégane, then don’t miss the Trophy when it comes to Silverstone on 4/5 July.

To find out more about the Renault range please visit Lifestyle Renault

Source [Auto Express] Text: Owen Mildenhall / Photos: Matt Vosper

Lifestyle Renault in Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne - Your preferred Renault Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent and Sussex

Subaru Outback revealed

Rugged estate version of the Legacy rocks up in New York

Subaru is boasting a second world debut at the New York motor show! A day after the Japanese brand showed off its new Legacy, it has strengthened the range with this, the Outback.

It majors on practicality, with interior volume upped eight per cent over the outgoing car and a 2.8-inches longer wheelbase, yet it’s shorter than the model it replaces. Ground clearance is also up at 8.7-inches and combined with the Subaru’s famous symmetrical all-wheel drive, makes the Outback a true crossover. Front and rear overhangs have been kept as short as possible to make the car more agile and maneuverable when the going gets tough.

There’s new double-wishbone rear suspension, which as well as sharpening up the dynamics, increases rear cargo space and boosts the car’s load lugging ability further.

The 2010 Outback appears to have dropped the Legacy tag from its name, but shares that car’s Boxer petrol engines – there’s a four-cylinder 2.5i, with 168bhp and 230Nm, and a six-cylinder 3.6i with 252bhp and 335Nm. The latter comes with a five-speed automatic gearbox while the smaller engine has the option of a six-speed manual or the firm’s new Lineartronic CVT transmission, which is said to help cut emissions and fuel consumption.

The new Outback is set to go on sale in the US in the summer, with UK sales likely to follow early in 2010. By that point it should gain Subaru’s 2-litre Boxer diesel engine, which will grab the majority of sales here. Expect prices to start at around £25,000.

To find out more about the Subaru range please visit Lifestyle Subaru

Source [Auto Express]

Lifestyle Subaru in Tunbridge Wells - Your preferred Subaru Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent

Puma reborn... as new Twingo CC!

Renault to get look of former Ford favourite, at a cost of around £14,000

It's not only MINI that’s set to join the speedster set, as these latest pictures prove! Poised to hit the road in 12 months’ time, the two-seat Renault Twingo CC is described as a spiritual successor to Ford’s much loved Puma, and is the French firm’s answer to the successful Peugeot 207 CC.

Our spy shots also offer the first glimpse of the new model’s clever single piece hard-top, plus its dramatic face. The car – which is codenamed X33 – measures 3.70 metres in length and will offer drivers a choice of two engines. Prices are set to begin at around £14,000.

At present, the plan sees entry-level models fitted with the 100bhp, 1.2-litre TCE unit used in the Twingo GT. A flagship version is also under development, which would use the 131bhp 1.6-litre engine from the Twingo RS. But there is still some uncertainty over the engine range, due to Renault’s intention to cut the emissions of its entire vehicle line-up.

Top brass have already announced a vision to create a new range of cars with average CO2 emissionsof only 40g/km by 2012. To do this, the firm says it will supplement a new generation of electric cars with a range of ultra-efficient petrol and diesel models.

It’s not yet clear if there will be an all-electric Twingo, but options being discussed at the moment include a 900cc three-cylinder petrol and an upmarket 1.6-litre 140bhp diesel. Regardless of the engines Renault chooses to fit, anti-lock brakes, equipped with front discs and rear drums, will be included as standard and should provide fade-free stopping power.

In keeping with Renault’s aim to be crowned Europe’s ‘safest’ car company, ESP will be offered on all models. The Twingo CC will be built at the firm’s factory in Dieppe, alongside other models in the Renaultsport range.

But there is still no word on whether all versions of the car will wear the firm’s performance badge – or if bosses intend to reserve the Renaultsport logo for top-spec variants only.

To find out more about the Renault range please visit Lifestyle Renault

Source [Auto Express] Text: Dan Strong / Photos: Rene Demarets

Lifestyle Renault in Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne - Your preferred Renault Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent and Sussex

Fiesta Tops EU Pile

Ford’s Fiesta has just taken the overall European sales number one slot from the Volkswagen Golf.

A massive March sales increase of over 15 per cent has seen the Ford supermini conquer in an otherwise depressed market.

First quarter European sales are down by 16.9 percent, reports JATO Dynamics, as the recession bites further into car retailing.

This contrasts with the huge success of new car scrappage schemes, as seen in Italy and, in particular, Germany.

They have bolstered the Ford Fiesta’s fortunes in those markets, although JATO does point out that it has sustained sales in the UK, too – despite the lack of a scrappage scheme.

Ford car dealers will thus find the prospect of next week’s Budget unveiling such a scheme tantalising…

‘It’s interesting to see the continued affect that the government scrapping incentives have had in certain markets,’ said JATO Consult head David Di Girolamo.

He points out that several other small cars have risen in the top 10 rankings, including the Volkswagen Polo and Fiat Grande Punto. Sales of the Fiat Panda have also grown by a staggering 62 percent.

‘The Panda is a perfect example of a car that can benefit from today’s market conditions. It’s a very affordable car to buy new … it’s an easy step-up into the new car market for those who have been encouraged to scrap their old cars.

‘We will track the markets with interest, as it will be important to understand if this is a short term reaction by consumers, or if it will have a prolonged effect on the market.’

Volkswagen shouldn’t be too upset, though. It remains Europe’s best-selling car brand. And the Golf does still lead the year-to-date tally – yes, from the Fiesta, as well as the Peugeot 207, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus.

To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Car Dealer Magazine]

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey

Ford Market Share Rise

Growing market share is a priority for car makers, in the face of slowing sales – and none has more than Ford.

The blue oval’s market leading position GREW in March, too, as the company extended its total UK market share to 16.7 per cent.

This is up from 15 per cent in March 2008.

It means the company’s total vehicle share for the first quarter of 2009 is 18.1 per cent, with the car share growing up nearly 2 percent, to 17.2 percent.

Ford Fiesta and Focus models being the country’s two-two best sellers helped here – as did a startling medium commercial vehicle share growing to 34.3 percent!

Driven by the Ford Transit, this is a 4.4 percent boost over March 2008. It means Ford’s commercial vehicle market share is the highest it’s been since November 2000.

Such relative position gains, in a market of declining vehicle sales, means that Ford’s MD, Nigel Sharp, is delighted. Particularly with the increase in profitable retail sales – two in every three Kuga sales, for example, are to private buyers.

‘Ford’s model range… continues to attract customers, even in these difficult times,’ said Sharp.

‘Increasing retail sales are an important indicator that proves Ford has the right product mix at the right time. This has helped to boost the quality of our business at a time when it is most needed.’

The benefits to retained values are already been seen in the used sector. Such a market shift also helps the Ford brand image.

It means the car dealers can charge more for cars!

Overall, the UK market sold 202,991 fewer cars in 2009 compared with 2008. That’s a decline of 29.7 percent.

Ford sold 22,207 fewer cars – a decline of 21.1 per cent. ‘Significantly less than the overall market drop,’ Sharp was keen to point out.

Hence, the overall rise in market share. Ford car dealers will be hoping this position of strength is carried through to the market upturn.

To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Car Dealer Magazine]

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey

Mazda3 takes focus away from retail

Mazda is expecting to double sales of its new 3 lower-medium model to fleets thanks to a new family of lower emission engines.

On sale next month, the four-door saloon and five-door hatchback models boast fuel economy improved by up to 16% and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 19%.

Crucially, a new 1.6-litre diesel model will be offered which emits 119g/km, dropping it into the lowest benefit-in-kind tax band for diesels.

And Mazda UK managing director Jeremy Thomson also believes that the halo effect from the larger 6 upper-medium model will also help, especially as it has just been named large family car of the year at the Fleet News Awards.

He said: “The 6 has become a fleet favourite and much of that model’s talents are flowing down to the 3.

“The 6 has a 5-6% segment share, and the new 3 has the capacity to do that.

“In a field of bland options, the 3 has real fleet credibility thanks to the improved economy and emissions. The price guides are seeing the car next week and I’m confident of strong residuals.”

Thomson expects to sell 12,000 units in a full year – around 1,000 ahead of the old 3.

Fleets will account for up to 40% of sales in the new version, compared to a share of between 10 and 20% before.

However, Thomson says this growth will be through attracting user-choosers into the brand, and not through doing unsustainable business.

He added: “We’re not chasing market share for share’s sake – we can’t afford to do that.

"We need profitable business so we will not being selling to direct brokers or daily rental companies, and we will also restrict our Motability sales too.”

Mazda is planning to take the new 3 to key fleets in the coming months through its corporate demonstrator programme so people can test the car – a key point for Thomson who wants the magic from the 6 to rub off on the 3.

He said: “People will not compromise on choice and that is good news for us as we are not a typical player so can offer people something different to the mass-market cars.”

With the roll-out of the 3, and the revised 6 range on sale, Thomson expects Mazda to retain its 2.3% market share this year after a record 2008 in the UK.

Last year Mazda sold 50,000 models, but this is expected to fall to 42,000 units in 2009.

To find out more about the forthcoming Mazda3 visit Lifestyle Mazda

Source [AM Online]

Lifestyle Mazda in Crawley and Horsham - Your preferred Mazda Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Mazda Servicing in Sussex

Future Subaru Legacy Revealed

New four-wheel drive BMW 3-Series challenger breaks cover ahead of New York show debut

Subaru’s Legacy is getting longer – and here are the pictures that prove it! This is the Japanese firm’s all-new model, which will make its debut at the New York Motor Show next week.

Totally new from the ground up, the Legacy is 35mm longer, 90mm wider and 80mm taller than the car it replaces. And, as well as being more spacious, the BMW 3-Series rival features a new look, based around the concept revealed at January’s Detroit Motor Show.

Underneath the skin lies a fresh four-wheel drive chassis with McPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear. Power comes from a range of boxer engines, including 170bhp 2.5-litre unit, a turbo version with 265hp and a range-topping R version with a 3.6-litre boxer that produces 256hp and 350Nm of torque.

Transmissions will include five and six-speed manual gearboxes as well as a new CVT ’box called Lineartronic, which is designed to help reduce CO2 emissions.

Inside, as well as being bigger and more spacious that the outgoing car, the new Legacy gets luxurious kit such as sat-nav and a voice command system. It also features an electronic parking brake, a 10-way adjustable driver's seat and a new three-spoke steering wheel.

Sales should kick-off in the UK in early 2010. Expect a starting price tag of around £20,000.

To find out more about the Subaru range please visit Lifestyle Subaru

Source [Auto Express] Written by Sam Hardy

Lifestyle Subaru in Tunbridge Wells - Your preferred Subaru Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent

Ford Focus X Road

New soft road Focus set for Amsterdam Motor Show debut

'X' marks the spot for this tough looking evolution of the new Ford Focus!

Christened the X Road, the newcomer is makes its world debut at the AutoRai Amsterdam Motor Show this week.

And as you can see in our pictures, the silver coloured machine won't struggle to turn heads.

To help improve off -road performance, there is extra tall suspension, plus wheel arch protectors and robust under body skid plates.

As well as 17 inch alloy wheels, the newcomer also gets distinctive bodywork and unique badging.

Under the skin, the front-wheel-drive model also gets a six speed manual gearbox, and an adapted traction control system specially tuned to help the car cope with slippery conditions.

Though there’s still no word on whether this model, described as a limited edition special by the blue oval, will come to the UK. Just 300 examples will be built in left hand drive

However, with its efficient 1.8-litre 16v flex fuel engine it offer drivers a green alternative to the likes of the 2.0-litre TDCi and forthcoming 2.2-litre TDCi Kuga models.

Based on the flagship Titanium equipped Focus Estate, the X Road also gets a CD palyer, plus a voice control telephone connection and an advanced satellite navigation system.

However, there’s no doubting that the new model will be expensive! At €25,175, the car costs the equivalent of £23,000 in the UK at least £2,000 more than the current flagship estate – and almost as much as the firm’s mighty RS.

To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Auto Express]

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey

New Focus On Horizon

Ford shapes up family car for the next decade with dramatic looks and cutting-edge tech.

Meet the most desirable family car ever! This striking machine is about to rewrite the hatchback rulebook, with a stunning combination of head-turning looks, driver appeal and up-to-the-minute technology. Say hello to Ford’s next-generation Focus.

Set to go on sale in 2010, the third generation of the family car will take the company’s brand values to the next level. It gets a dramatic new look that’s backed up by a range of hi-tech small- capacity turbocharged engines.

Ford gave the strongest hint of how its upcoming models will look when it revealed the Iosis Max at the Geneva Motor Show last month (see Issue 1,053). And it’s from this car that the new Focus takes much of its styling inspiration.

The hatch gets a sleek new front end, with a large lower grille and elongated headlights. Bold lines run from the edges of the grille to the A-pillars.

At the rear, there are further nods to the Iosis MAX, with a high tail, angular C-pillars and eye-catching lights. Chunky wheelarches and short overhangs finish the look and give the newcomer a muscular stance. According to insiders, a panoramic glass roof will also be available. Inside, expect a toned-down version of the concept’s striking cabin, with a new centre console boasting an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface control system. Options will include a reversing camera.

Under the skin is a fresh development of the current car’s chassis, so it’s unlikely the new model will grow much in size. Emphasis will be put on ride and refinement, without sacrificing the sharp steering and driver appeal for which the Focus has become famous.

New turbocharged EcoBoost engines dominate the line-up. Entry-level models will come with a 1.0-litre four-cylinder turbo unit offering 89bhp or 108bhp, but most variants will get a new 1.6-litre turbo, available with 148bhp or 178bhp outputs.

These units will combine storming pace with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to give buyers the best of both worlds. There is also a new range of diesels in the shape of a 1.6 TDCi, delivering up to 128bhp, and a flagship 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp.

All engines are mated to manual boxes as standard, but Ford will also offer its Powershift twin-clutch transmission. Start-stop technology is set to be rolled out across the range, too.

We reported in Issue 1,054 that Ford bosses were debating when to launch the car. Sources have revealed that it looks as though the Focus and C-MAX compact MPV will be launched simultaneously in 2010.

The models have been developed alongside each other and could be global cars – ie sold in all Ford markets across the world. They would follow in the footsteps of the latest Fiesta, which goes on sale in China later this year, and in the US in 2010.

The Focus will be built at Ford’s plant in Saarlouis, Germany, while the C-MAX, which is to appear as a seven-seater for the first time, will be assembled at Valencia in Spain.

To find out more about the Ford range please visit Lifestyle Ford

Source [Auto Express] Written by Sam Hardy | Photos by Miroslav

Lifestyle Ford in Crawley, Horsham, Redhill, Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge - Your preferred Ford Dealer for New Cars, Used Cars and Car Servicing in Kent, Sussex and Surrey