Car and automotive new articles

The new Toyota Prius will be a lot more sporty

Prius has undoubtedly been a massive success for Toyota – but it’s paid a price for that popularity in terms of a rather fuddy-duddy image. But that will change when the next-generation car is unveiled next year. The next-generation Toyota Prius will retain the petrol hybrid concept – but as well as being cleaner than the current model, it’ll be a lot more sporty, says Toyota GM managing director Miguel Fonseca. “It will be cleaner, with CO2 emissions below 100g/km,” Fonseca says. “We could have gone lower, but instead we have chosen to give the Prius better performance.” Despite riva... [more]

Historic Car Sales surge as investors move out of the stock market

COYS have seen unprecedented sales with millions of pounds worth of cars being sold since shares around the world started to plummet. Managing Director of COYS, Chris Routledge said: “We are reporting very strong sales, $8.5 million since mid Sept.” He added: “It would appear that people would rather buy a historic car and put it in the garage, than brave the current high’s and low’s of the stock market. Among the cars being sold by the company which has offices throughout Europe and the US were a 1996 Ferrari F50 – the only right-hand drive example ever produced, custom-made by Ferrari ... [more]

New entry-level specification and two additional engines for the Scirocco coupe

Volkswagen has announced a new entry-level specification and two additional engines for the Scirocco coupé, which are now available for ordering from Volkswagen Retailers. Prices for the entry-level model, fitted with a 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS engine, start at £18,790 RRP on the road, opening the possibility of Scirocco ownership to a wider audience. At launch in September, the Scirocco was only available in range-topping GT trim. The new engines are now available in base trim which still benefits from a comprehensive list of standard equipment including a six-CD autochanger, rain and dusk se... [more]

Land Rover launches Freelander 2 TD4e fuel-efficient vehicle

The new Freelander 2 TD4_e is Land Rover's most fuel-efficient vehicle to date. Featuring a new intelligent Stop/Start system, it is the first production vehicle to incorporate technologies from the company's programme of sustainable engineering initiatives, collectively named 'e_Terrain Technologies'. On the standard EU4 cycle, the CO2 emissions of the Freelander 2 TD4_e are reduced by 8 per cent, compared with the outgoing manual diesel Freelander 2. Moreover, in additional tests, Land Rover engineers have measured fuel savings approaching 20 per cent in heavy urban traffic. The 8 pe... [more]

GAZ Group unveils MAXUS electric vehicle

GAZ Group has premiered its very first MAXUS electric vehicle. The fully driveable prototype is currently on test with key customers, as the company finalises specifications, launch plans and markets across Europe. The new electric vehicle prototype has been developed by GAZ Group’s UK business, LDV Group. The vehicle has been specified by a major home delivery fleet operator with the following specification: • Payload of up to 1446 kg • Five-speed manual transmission • Top speed of 55 miles per hour • Range of 85 miles • Excellent packaging with the battery located between the chassis... [more]