Car Knowledge

The legendary German sports car manufacturer has unveiled its latest generation of the 911, with the GT2 now available.

Up against some stiff competition such as the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Mercedes SL the 911 simply blows them away with sheer performance, handling and value for money as well an being an icon in its own right.

The old cars engines displaced just 1.5 litres and, without a turbo and developed 210bhp is they were lucky as well as having tyres that looked like those from a bicycle compared with the Porsche’s latest incarnation.

Although many quips are made about Porsche designers being the laziest in the business, the new 911 can be distinguished by its natural evolution.

Although it still retains it very distinctive 911 silhouette the car has newly-designed 18-inch and 19-inch wheels and new lights featuring LED technology. With LED day time driving lights and bi-xenon headlights.

The 911 is a favourite as a result of it being a strong driver focused car and the latest generation has enhanced this area further, with Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system available as standard on the new 911, as well as Brake Pre-Filling and Brake Assistant functions which were previously available only on the Carrera 4 and Turbo models.

The 911 has been on sale in the UK since the 5th July 2008 and is priced from £63,070 and tops out at the Carrera S 3.8-litre at £70,360 and is proving competitive in the sports car market despite the current economic climate.

The 911 Cabriolet Carrera S is defiantly the one to go for come the summer as is available from £77,650.

The Volvo XC70 and XC90 are the honoured representatives of Volvo as they have been decorated with two awards at 2009 4×4 Magazine awards which is the UK’s biggest and most comprehensive annual 4×4 review that assessed the cars against 70 other rivals.

The Volvo XC70 premium estate car beat the Audi Allroad and Jaguar X-TYPE AWD to take the top spot in the best 4×4 Estate category and the XC90 won the coveted family class which reveals the broad appeal and strength of the Volvo marque. Chris Wailes Volvo Car UK’s product manager said that “Volvo’s philosophy is to produce cars that not only look and feel good to drive, but can be relied upon to live up to any challenge.

It is great to see that this is being recognized” and that the judges focused on how both cars focused on all-road-all-weather ability and provided an engaging driving experience as well as refined passenger comfort.

The Volvo XC90 has received a number of awards since its launch and the latest accolade proves that it is still a great choice for families and with lower CO2 emission and the best-selling D5 Geartronic the market leading 4×4 will increase Volvo’s appeal.

The new first Astra ecoFLEX with a 1.7 turbo-diesel produces a stunning 119g/km worth of emissions and returns afuel consumption of 62.8mpg on the combined cycle.

It will be available as a Hatch, Sport Hatch and estate and conveniently falls in the lowest BIK tax band for company car drivers, while private buyers will only pay £35 per year in Vehicle Excise Duty as it sits firmly in tax band B. In its diesel guise the engine produces 110bhp with is 10bhp mpre than the existing Astra 1.7 CDTi, meaning that the top speed of EcoFLEX is 117mph.

More efficiency is available from the Astra’s 1.7 CDTi by fitting a taller axle ratio which optimised the engine management system and reducing the engine’s idle speed coupled with the fact that the ecoFLEX’s is 30kgs lighter, with increased aerodynamics and lowered suspension.

Hans Demant, GME’s Engineering Vice President said that the company is committed to reducing fuel consumption and emissions in cars with conventional internal combustion engines and the Astra ecoFLEX is the newest example of that stratergy that is now focused at the high volume end of the market.

Five door Hatch versions of the Astra ecoFLEX are on sale now at a starting price for the Life (a/c) model of £16,340 whilst at the beginning of next year Vauxhall will introduce two further ecoFLEX models with the Corsa 1.3 CDTi hitting the showrooms

The Paris motor show will be the showcase for the preview of the all new and British-built Toyota Avensis.

On 2nd October 2008 the Toyota Avensis will be taking pride of place at the show as an important seller for the Japanese car maker, it is hoped that the sleek design and strong individual character will mean that the car is a hit in Europe.

As the third generation of the Avensis the latest model is to be built at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire and is available with a new engine range that offers more power and lower CO2 emissions which means that the Avensis will be a more attractive company car option.

In todays market the Avensis will be competitive due to its high quality, refinement and equipment levels.

It will be on sale in January 2009 with full details and pricing to be published later in the year.

“evecars.com” the motoring website for women has named the Jaguar XF ‘Best Executive Car’ in its 2008 honours list as voted by a panel of women lead by
editor Alex Jenner-Fust, Eve magazine’s Rachael Ashley and Jessica Gibson, Autocar’s Vicky Parrott and Eve reader Sarah Thane judging on the cars main assets of comfort, space, practicality and style the jaguar seemingly blew away the opposition.

Alex Jenner-Fust, editor of evecars.com said that the the bonus of the Jaguar is that it is a car that will take you seamlessly from school gates to boardroom and that the XF “combines cutting-edge technology with a classic British feel. Driving it is a real pleasure, whether you’re on the school run or cruising to the south of France. The stereo system is easy to use, while the seats are so comfortable you won’t want to get out.”

Geoff Cousins, UK Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, said that the female market is incredibly important to Jaguar that the XF really appeals to women due to the unique blend of style and practicality

Orders for the XF are at 7,000 in the UK and 22,000 internationally the sales for the Jaguar range in July were up 29.2% compared to last year.

Back in 1948 the British manufacturer Jaguar made waves in the automotive world as they unveiled the advanced XK engine in the XK120 sports car.

In order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the XK, Jaguar is launching a special series of the XK for the UK market which will have unique equipment and bearing the name XK60.

The XK60 has been launched at the British International Motor show.

Priced at the same as the current model the XK60 boasts 20in Senta alloy wheels, distinctive body enhancements, a new front spoiler and rear valance panel and chrome finished side vents which help to distinguish the car from the current XK.

The coupe is available from £60,995 in Coupe form and £66,995 as a convertible as so the extra equipment is at no extra price.

The XK60 has a 4.2-litre V8 XK, naturally aspirated engine and sits with the XKR and XKR-S Special Editions

Over the 60 year development of the XK Jaguar’s advanced all-aluminium construction makes the XK60 the lightest car, as well as offering CATS Computer Active Technology Suspension and its much publicized six-speed automatic transmission.