Western Daily Press

9-5 Brings a Bit of Style to Market Sector

Sleek, sophisticated and unmistakably Saab, the all-new 9-5 saloon signals the dawn of a new era for the Swedish brand. With progressive, confident styling and advanced technology, Saab's distinctive new flagship will bring a fresh, alternative choice to the premium saloon segment when it goes on sale in 2010.

Hyundai Car Sales Increase Threefold

OFFICIAL car sales figures show Hyundai sold more cars to retail customers in August than any other brand, overtaking Ford and Vauxhall. The figures, which would have seemed inconceivable a few months ago, show that Hyundai's overall sales for the month rose 323 per cent compared to August last year to 3,737. It gives Hyundai a record overall market share of 5.6 per cent.

Scrappage Scheme Will Be Extended ; News in Brief

MAJOR manufacturers have welcomed the news the car scrappage scheme extension to cover an extra 100,000 cars and vans. Ministers have allocated Pounds 300 million to the scheme, under which motorists receive a Pounds 2,000 discount to trade in cars more than 10 years old for new models. The money is expected to run out within weeks, prompting recent calls from industry groups for an extension. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson told the Labour Party conference in Brighton there were encouragin...

Peugeot Launches New Rcz Coupe

THE Frankfurt Motor Show saw the world premiere of Peugeot's exciting new RCZ 2+2 Coupe. It will go on sale in the UK in spring 2010 and the entry-level RCZ 156 THP manual model will start at an on-the-road price of Pounds 19,900, rising to Pounds 24,000 for the 2.0 litre HDi 163 manual. There will be two trim levels available with the RCZ, with the entry trim level including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports front seats, dual-zone air-conditioning, folding rear seats, rear parking aid system , de...

Suck It and See As New Polo Is Unveiled

THE new three-door Polo was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The overall effect of the latest model is a cohesive, clutter- free design that makes the new Polo appear lower and wider.

Student Drivers Now Under Cover ; News in Brief

With applications to universities up by eight per cent this year, the highest it has been for eight years, more teenagers will be leaving home for the first time to study and this will mean an increase in young people taking their cars away from home. Saying goodbye is tough enough but many parents will also be worrying about their kids behind the wheel. And whilst you have to rely on trust when it comes to safe driving, parents can at least take steps to provide some peace of mind in the cas...

Two-Thirds Buying Cars in Their Teens ; News in Brief

BRITS are getting their first car at a younger age than ever before, a new AA Insurance study published this week has found. The AA/Populus study of over 21,000 AA members showed that of those who are now aged between 18 and 24 more than two-thirds (68 per cent) had acquired their first car before their teens were out, compared with just a quarter (28 per cent) of drivers now aged 65 or over. Overall, 48 per cent of Welsh car owners were the proud owners of their first car in their teens, com...

Hyundai Hits Spot with I20 ; Hyundai's I20 Is Bucking the Car Sales Downturn Trend and Motors Editor Simon Harding Reckons He Knows Why - the 1.4crdi Model Is a Gem

IMAGINE a car capable of carrying all the family in comfort along with a boot full of shopping in the back. Throw in an eye-catching profile, tidy interior and brisk performance. Oh, and it runs on air. Well, diesel actually. No, it's not some theoretical design exercise or one of those aluminium origami concept cars the manufacturers wheel out in time for the major motor shows.

All Heads Turn As Evora Goes By

NOTHING has sparked so much excitement in our office as much as the new Lotus Evora. With the visual drama of a true supercar and with a Pounds 60k price tag the exclusive Evora I tried was the only one in the South West at the time. This latest Lotus is the true meaning of precious metal. Gleaming in the car park next to the conservative Corsas and dull Daihatsus, the Evora really stood out and attracted quite a crowd. Colleagues swarmed like bees around a honey pot. The tasty Evora has some...

Greener Insigna Helps Cut Your Emissions

THE new Insignia ecoFLEX is set to provide company and private buyers with significant reductions in taxes and running costs, but without the pain of reduced driveability, claims Vauxhall. It generates a combined CO2 of just 136g/km and has a performance similar to the 2.0 CDTi 160.

Improved 207 Is a Good Buy

Book Your Test Drive

TWO remarkable new Land Rover models are about to take centre stage at MJ Fews Land Rover in Wotton-under-Edge and the dealership is encouraging local motorists to book early if they want to be among the first to test drive them. The New 2010 Range Rover Sport and Discovery 4, which have been comprehensively revised to deliver greater levels of power, refinement and economy, are available to test drive now - following their debut at the New York International Auto Show in April.