The Volkswagen Golf R with improved fuel efficiency

Volkswagen Golf R

The new Volkswagen Golf that launched at Frankfurt Motor Show yesterday appears to beat the Ford Focus RS with its smaller engine reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency.

VW has slotted a 2-litre turbocharged engine developing 265bhp into the R – 35bhp less than the Ford Focus RS. It will outgun the fast Ford initially but the electronically-limited top speed of 155mph means the RS has 8mph on its German rival.

The Golf R is all-wheel drive and with a manual ‘box still accelerates to 62mph in an impressive 5.7 seconds. With a combined fuel economy of 33.2mpg, it’s 21 per cent more efficient than the R32.

The Golf is considered to be very conservative. It has always been in demand since its launch and so is the demand higher for any used Volkswagen Golf car. These cars are very sturdy and reliable. Now with improved fuel efficiency, it is the bessstest of best!

For more information on used Volkswagen cars read the Volkswagen cars hub on Auto Trader UK. You might like to review the Focus RS in complete detail on the used Ford cars hub.

Will the Scrappage scheme that offers buyers £2000 be extended?

Scrappage Scheme UK

The UK Goverment scrappage scheme that offers £2000 towards a new car or van was announced in the 2009 Budget.  Any car over ten years old which meets the requirements is eligible for scrapping – and the owner will receive £1,000 from the government and £1,000 from the manufacturer towards the cost of their new vehicle.

Now that attracted huge bunch of motorists wanting to get their old car scrapped. Funding for the scrappage scheme uk could end up in August if the rate of 3,181 sales per day continues.  Some of the European countries offering the scheme include Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Spain. The amount they offer and the requiremnt for scrappage differes from country to country. However, it was a huge hit in Germany.

Range of manufacturers have extended their support for the scrappage scheme extension. Here is what they told Autotrader.

Hyundai (Scrappage sales: around 9,000)

Tom Barnard, PR Manager for Hyundai, said: “Our feeling is since the government is making profit on new cars over £7,600 sold under the scheme, we would be very surprised if they didn’t extend it.”

Check the Hyundai Scrappage Deals and eligibility.
Toyota (Scrappage sales: around 5,500)

A spokesperson for Toyota said: “Toyota is pleased to see the success of the scrappage scheme and welcomes any continuing support for the industry which will help increase sales.”

Ford (Scrappage sales: over 3,000)

Ford’s News Manager Oliver Rowe said: “We are pleased with how the scrappage scheme is going, but it’s been an administrative challenge.  “We’re getting up to speed with it right now, rather than focusing on it slowing down.”

Other manufacturers have also extended their support for scrappage extension. Read more…

Check out the other manufacturers like Alfa Romeo scrappage scheme deals or Vauxhall scrappage scheme deals on Auto Trader.

If you want to check whether your can can be eligible for the scrappage scheme, check the complete scrappage guide on Auto Trader.

Automotive Leader, Toyota has announced $6.9 Billion Loss in last quarter

The world’s biggest automobile manyfacturer reported a $6.9 billion loss in last quarter and the annual loss being $8.6. While the entire automotive inmdustry ahs been affected by global crisis, the Japanese manufaturer posted its first-ever consolidated operating loss last year after a record profit the year before. It also said that there would be a drop in Toyota cars manufactured this year.

“Toyota’s outlook was worse than I’d expected. The company expects a really tough time for the first six months,” said Naoki Fujiwara, a fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management. “I expect the bottom for the auto industry is the April-June period, followed by a slow recovery.”

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe commented in a news conference saying, Of course the external environment doesn’t help, but we were lacking in the scope and speed of dealing with various problems and issues, and for that I am sorry” …read more

Some of Toyota’s Favourite creations:

• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota rav4
• Toyota Yaris
• Toyota Land cruiser
• Toyota Aygo

Read Used Toyota Car Reviews on Auto Trader.

Toyota encourages scrappers to buy British built cars

After the UK Government announced the £2,000 allowance for car owners to scrap their old cars, Toyota will structure its incentiveprogram to encourage British built cars.

“While Toyota has some of the best small cars on the market in the shape of Aygo and Yaris,” said Toyota Managing Director, Miguel Fonseca, “we recognise that small cars do not meet the needs of everyone in terms of space and practicality.

“By leveraging the benefits of local production we can make Auris affordable for customers who need a family car. I am also very keen to use this incentive as much as possible to the benefit of British workers,” said Fonseca. Read more

Check Toyota Cars Hub:

Read Auto Trader review for Toyota yaris and Toyota Aygo

The Fiat Grande Punto is surely the prettiest supermini on the road.

The Fiat Grande Punto is – as its name suggests – bigger than previous Puntos. But that’s not to say it’s lost its youthful charm.

The Fiat Grande Punto is surely the prettiest supermini on the road. Its front is reminiscent of the Aston Martin DB7, which can only be a good thing, while the rear and sides carry on the curvy theme. There are plenty of neat touches around the Grande Punto.

So often interiors fail to live up to the expectations set by the bodywork. Not so with the Grande Punto.

As the Fiat Grande Punto has grown since its predecessor, so has its levels of practicality. There’s lots of room in the front, and all but the tallest of rear passengers can fit in the back fairly easily. At four metres in length, Fiat says the Grande Punto is the biggest in its class, although at 275 litres,

The Fiat Punto feels sure-footed and composed at speed, which has a lot to do with the extra width of the larger car. The steering is precise, although not so razor sharp as other models in the supermini class.

Fiat has been working tirelessly to iron out the niggling little problems which used to beset its vehicles and the Grande Punto seems as well built as anything else from Europe.

With prices starting from around £7,500, the Grande Punto is an exceptionally cheap machine. Even our top-of-the-range test car weighs in at well under £13,000; and that has plenty of bells and whistles. Huge demand (the Punto is one of the 20 most searched for car on autotrader.co.uk) keeps second-hand values healthy.

The Grande Punto oozes style from every angle. It’s great fun to drive, especially in the 1.9 Sporting guise. But best of all is its tremendous value for money.

Read Used Fiat Grande Punto review

The splendid Seat Bocanegra to make its debut in Barcelona Motor Show

Seat Ibiza cars

The striking Seat Ibiza-based Bocanegra hot hatch is expected to make its global debut at next month’s Barcelona Motor Show. Sitting above the Seat Cupra at the top of the Spanish supermini’s range, the three-door Seat Bocanegra will get a 1.4-litre super- and turbocharged engine developing 177bhp.

The Bocanegra concept made its debut at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, dominating Seat’s stand and giving the new Volkswagen Scirocco a run for its money as car of the show. Read more

Other Seat Cars:

• Seat Leon Cars
• Seat Ibiza Cars
• Seat Alhambra
• Seat Toledo

Steam-powered car turns up the heat

A British-built steam car has successfully test-launched ahead of its bid to break a century-old world land speed record for steam-powered vehicles.

The 25ft-long British Steam Car – dubbed the ‘fastest kettle in the world’ – reached a top speed of 82mph on tarmac at the Ministry of Defence’s Thorney Island facility in Emsworth, Hampshire.

Read more

The Golf GTi has now hit its ‘dirty thirties’ and packs more power, performance and precision

The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTi full details revealed. Volkswagen says the new GTi’s “package delivers enormous propulsive force” – in fifth gear, the GTi accelerates from 50mph to 75mph in just 7.5 seconds.

Read Full Story

VW Golf Review

The Honda S2000 is all about that incredible engine

For many, the Honda S2000 is all about that incredible engine. It revs – and roars – like a motorbike and is totally unlike any other roadster available today.

The S2000 sports a powerful, 2.2-liter, high revving engine while the high X-bone monocoque frame provides excellent rigidity and load distribution.

Nothing exemplifies Honda racing skill and ingenuity like the S2000 CR “Club Racer.” A firmer suspension, quicker steering ratio and fully functional front and rear spoilers have been specially designed to connect driver, vehicle and road.

The Honda S2000 has a strange blend of head-turning ability, while still having reasonably conservative looks. Its long, low bonnet is the starting point for the car’s sleek looks, and there’s some real design flair with its boiled sweet-coloured rear light cluster held in a smoked glass unit. The S2000 comes equipped with a set of 17-inch alloys and a pair of oversized tailpipes poking out from under the rear bumper. Bold S2000 badging along the front wings emphasises the car’s branding further.

The Honda S2000 scored four out of five stars in the EuroNCAP crash tests, which is competitive for a small roadster which debuted in 1999. It features driver and passenger airbags as standard, although side airbags aren’t available.

 

Compare more Honda Cars

Honda S2000

Honda S2000 Car

Honda Accord is known for its look and plenty of features

Honda Accord is a great looking car. The V-shaped grille and 17 inch alloys add an air of class, and the overall design a fine balance of not being too showy or understated. The rear – especially the light clusters – lifts the Accord above the sober styling of its predecessors, and the fancy 17 inch multispoke alloys fitted to our top-of-the-range test car hoist the looks yet higher.

Honda Accord combines high technology and high quality with everyday economy of operation and keen attention to detail. The popular LX and EX sedans are terrific cars with comfort and convenience features that make them great daily drivers. Order the leather interior, and the EX becomes an affordable luxury sedan. The four-cylinder i-VTEC engine is powerful and responsive, delivering strong acceleration performance for passing. The V6 adds another level of sporting appeal.

The leather interior on our EX test car suits the Accord particularly well, and the fittings and dash feel solid, although the plastics used look a little shiny and low-rent. There’s plenty of storage space, and the dashboard instruments are well presented, although the buttons on the central unit could be a little more intuitive to use. The steering wheel adjusts, meaning finding a good driving position is easy.

Honda cars are about as reliable as you can get. The Accord feels well built, and the chances are, apart from servicing and replacing consumables such as brakes and tyres, you’ll never need to see the inside of a garage.