Sunday 31 May 2009


Two Weeks of the UK Scrappage Scheme lead to 35,000 orders for new cars

The Green Car Guide reports that:

Figures released last week show that more than 35,000 orders for new cars have been taken since the announcement of the£2000 scrappage subsidy two weeks ago. For a fuller report you can click here

Tuesday 26 May 2009



But available now!... the all-new Mazda3:CO2 emissions down 19 per cent

-Great value all-new Mazda3 on sale from 18 May, priced from £13,500 (OTR)
-New MZR-CD 2.2-litre diesel engines with 150ps and 185ps outputs
-Fuel economy improved by up to 16 percent, CO2 emissions reduced by 19 percent
-Lower RFL tax bands and reduced BIK liability for company car drivers

Typical 0%, 3.9% and 5.9% APR finance packages available with variable deposits. Details from www.mazda.co.uk


New generation Golf Estate comes even greener,smarter and safer

Orders will be taken this October with delivery early next for the new generation Golf Estate recently unveiled featuring a fresh look, revised engines and the latest comfort and safety technologies. A BlueMotion version of the Golf Estate will also be offered giving additional economy and environmental benefits.

The new Golf Estate will be the fourth generation of the model. The original Golf Estate was launched in 1993 – since then over 1.2 million examples have been produced worldwide.

VW also announce that,drawing on the design language established by the Scirocco, new Golf and fifth generation Polo, the new Golf Estate features redesigned headlamps and front and rear bumpers to lend the car a clean and cohesive look. The use of horizontal lines on the nose helps to create the impression that the Golf Estate is both lower and wider than it really is. Further back, new wheel designs join revised rear lights to lend the car a fresh new look.

The changes continue inside the vehicle with dashboard improvements adopted from the Golf Mk VI, upgraded trim materials and a new range of upholstery.

Like the existing model the new Golf Estate will be available in S, SE and Sportline trims, each boasting a high level of standard specification including air conditioning, a CD player, multi-function computer, electric windows and mirrors, and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles.

Of course, as you would expect from any car in the Golf family, the Golf Estate will also have a comprehensive array of safety features including ABS, ESP, driver and front passenger’s whiplash-optimised head restraints and six airbags including a deactivation switch for front passenger airbag.

Petrol engines will include a 1.4-litre 122 PS model, giving excellent performance and economy thanks to Volkswagen’s TSI technology which uses turbocharging in combination with a small capacity engine. A new 1.6-litre TDI common rail unit producing 105 PS is set to be a popular diesel choice, while a 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS tops the engine range.

Full pricing and specification details will be announced in due course.

Friday 22 May 2009

CAP records more low emission cars than ever to choose from in the UK

According to CAP ,data provider experts mainly to the motor retail and hire industry, the rush to make greener 'cleaner' cars continues to hot-up, with a record 653 new car variants brought to market in April. This was the highest number ever reported by CAP for a single month. During the first four months of 2009, a record 1,487 new cars have been added.

David Saville, NVD Quality Control Supervisor, said: “This is the highest volume of new variants ever added in a month. At the core of all these new variants appears to be the race to reduce CO2 as manufacturers seek to benefit from new tax rules in the company car market and attract private customers who wish to avoid punitively high VED rates." It seems the drive to provide stronger value for money, and the introduction of more stop/start technology particularly by Volvo and Audi,is responsible for the unprecedented increase in new car variants.

Taking the automotive industry as whole,to include vans,trucks,and motorcycles, new variants came in at 5,482 for the first four months of the year.By comparison,in 2003,just 5,096 new variants were recorded for the whole of that year.

This has got to be a great time to go out there and buy a low emission car that suits both your style and pocket.

CAP describes itself as the premier supplier of independent benchmark data to the automotive industry.
For further detail on the work of CAP click here

Monday 18 May 2009




Lowest of the low CO2 emissions so far from Vauxhall

Vauxhall has launched its most economical car yet. The company claims a staggering 105g/km of CO2 emissions shaves an amazing 14g/km off the performance of the model it replaces. The latest Corsa ecoFlex 1.3 litre 3-door with CDTi powertrain is also said to deliver a 13 per cent improvement in fuel consumption with 85.6 mpg on the Government's extra urban fuel cycle underlining Vauxhall's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions still further.

The new Corsa ecoFlex offers many benefits over the outgoing model, including:


-a fourth and fifth gear ratio which generates lower engine revs and improved economy
-a shorter second gear ratio improves driving around town
-highly competitive 13% in Benefit in Kind and VED at £35 pa thanks to low emissions
-low-rolling resistance tyres and wheel changes help improve aerodynamics and save weight, so too,a lower ride height optimised airflow through its front air intakes

Did I say cheap as chips? At under £12k, you can do even better if you qualify for the Government's £2,000 'scrappage' incentive scheme. Worth a look. Further report at Green Car Guide

Friday 15 May 2009



How to test drive the most efficient no CO2 emissions high performance production sports car on the planet


At the 2009 London Motorexpo to run from 8th to 14th June, Tesla Motors will give potential UK customers free public opportunities to drive its groundbreaking high performance sports car. An interactive display will be located within the superb marble lobby of the Canary Wharf's One Canada Square, for the duration of the 14th Annual London Motorexpo.

Commenting on their attendance Don Cochrane of Tesla Motors said; “We are extremely excited to be bringing the Roadster to Canary Wharf and we greatly look forward to letting people finally experience how good electric cars can really be."

This site has followed the progress of the Tesla Roadster into commercial production over three years. You can click onto the Tesla Motors site at the sidebar to the right of this post.

Attendance at the 14th Annual London Motorexpo is free. For further details click here for the Motorexpo site

Saturday 9 May 2009



Peugeot 407 ducks under 130g/km of CO2 with a revised 1.6 litre HDi engine

The Green Car Guide reports:

Following on from minor revisions last July which included the addition of the 2.0-litre HDi FAP Euro 5 specification engine which is capable of 50.4mpg - 150g/km of CO2, Peugeot have now added a revised 1.6 litre HDi engine which enables the 407 to duck under 130g/km for the first time thanks to a Combined fuel economy of 57.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

For the full report click here for the Green Car Guide

Thursday 7 May 2009



Scrooge-like ultra-frugality gives record breaking fuel economy from the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive


The new generation SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive has has proved to be one of the most environmentally-sensitive cars in its market after covering a staggering 970 miles (1,562 km) on a single tank of fuel. An amazing average consumption figure of 97.4 mpg was achieved. This incredible world record breaking feat was recently undertaken by Austrian Gerhard Plattner, an internationally renowned economy-driving champion, who crossed Spain and France to Germany on a single tank of 45.53 litres of fuel. This despite heavy rain causing difficult driving conditions throughout the officially monitored road test.

Optimised streamlining, weight reduction and modifications to the 80 PS 1.4 TDI engine’s electronic management have given rise to one of the cleanest cars on the market today.Its low fuel consumption figure of only 76.3 mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of 98 g/km makes it the Spanish brand's most environmentally-friendly car. In addition, it is the only model equipped with air conditioning and a five-door body option with such a low CO2 emissions.

Keep in touch with all the tweats at SEAT at www.twitter.com/SEATUK
Money saving tips from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)


As more Brits are preparing to spend their holidays in the UK this year, and therefore intending to go for the open road, the IAM offer us these money savings tips:

-Sticking to 70mph, instead of 80mph, can save around four pence per mile; or £20 for the round trip
-A smooth driving style rather than aggressive has been estimated to save 15 per cent fuel consumption
-Top boxes can increase fuel consumption by 20 per cent – if it’s not needed, don’t take it
-Correct tyre pressures reduce wear and helps fuel economy. Under-inflated tyres need replacing more often (itself an environmental problem), can increase fuel consumption by five per cent and can be dangerous. Check the pressure is right and they are tare free
Remember to switch off the air con and heated windows when they aren’t needed. Used together these can increase fuel consumption by 15 per cent

Drive safely.