The Volvo V40 R-design and V40 Cross Country are priced from £22,295 and £22,595 respectively. R-design highlights include a new front bumper and rear diffuser, five-spoke 17in alloys, R-embossed upholstery and sports steering wheel and pedals. The Cross Country features auto-folding door mirrors, 16in alloys, automatic wipers, bespoke upholstery, tread plates and silver roof rails. Both models are available in ‘Lux’ trim, full leather upholstery and adaptive xenon headlights. Deliveries begin in January 2013.
Ford has unveiled a prototype carbonfibre bonnet it hopes will help lower fuel consumption. The carbonfibre reinforced plastic is claimed to be 50 per cent lighter than standard items, five times as strong and twice as rigid. Ford plans to continue developing cost-effective means of saving fuel, culminating in reducing the weight of its cars by up to 340kg by the end of the decade.
Honda, along with Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with organisations from Nordic countries, to support the introduction of fuel cell vehicles between 2014 and 2017. The agreement also applies to the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
SsangYong has announced its pricing and specification for its Ssangyong Korando Sports Pick-up. The commercial vehicle is priced between £18,295 and £21,245 in SX and EX trims. SX models are equipped with 16in alloy wheels, tinted glass, air-con, remote central locking and Bluetooth connectivity. EX models feature leather trim, heated front seats, electric folding door mirrors and rear parking sensors. Both levels are powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel producing 152bhp and 265lb ft.
The Citroën DS5 Hybrid4 has received a number of updates to improve efficiency. New engine management software, improved energy recovery and a new battery management system means CO2 emissions have fallen. The DSign model now records 91g/km, down from 99g/km, while DStyle and DSport variants emit 102g/km, down from 107g/km. Additionally, 17in ‘Houston’ alloy wheels are a no-cost option on DStyle and DSport models, reducing CO2 further to 91g/km.
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V40
I just configured a V40 T5 R-design on the Volvo website. Didn't go mad - left off lots of stuff including the sports suspension package - and it still came to £36.5k. Seems a lot for a tarted up Focus. Would still rather pay that than buy the Ford though, and I know that's dumb.
£11k buys a LOT of petrol
Yes, especially as a ST3 is only £25,495 before options - and you have to add options to the T5 to get the same kit as the Focus i.e. keyless, heated seats, heated screen, DAB radio etc etc
The trend for big wheels
The trend for big wheels shows one of its main disadvantages when we get cars like the DS4 Hybrid which used more than 10% more fuel by fitting bigger wheels - crazy. And of course there is nothing to stop anyone buying the car with smaller wheels as offered, and swapping them for the bigger ones later.
artill wrote: The trend for
I hadn't thought about it til just now but I guess with the mass concentrated at the wheel rim, which in a big wheel is further from the centre then the increased inertia of the wheel means the power train has to work harder to turn it.
Oops, sorry - did I just type that out? Meanderings of an engineers mind ....
Carbon Bonnet
I assume Ford will be offering this bonnet with an unpainted option complete with showing weave for the Essex massive!
(I know, it isn't carbon fibre per se, and there is no weave).