Car Buying, Selling, Care & Safety

The Volkswagen Polo has been crowned Car of the Year 2010

Qamar Rehman — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:34:06 +0000

The new Volkswagen Polo has been named the 2010 European Car of the Year, narrowly beating the Totoya iQ.

It beat six other cars to take first prize, which was awarded by a panel of 59 European motoring experts.

Volkswagen‘s latest supermini received 59 votes and 25 winning votes. The Toyota iQ was close behind with 58 votes and 20 winning votes.

The Polo was awarded 347 points by an international panel of 59 motoring journalists from 23 different countries.

In the end it defeated the iQ by just 10 points, with the Opel Astra in third place on 221 points, followed by the Skoda Yeti (158), Mercedes-Benz E-Class (155), Peugeot 3008 (144) and the Citroen C3 Picasso (113).

Last year the Vauxhall Insignia took the crown, beating Ford’s Fiesta by one point.

Top seven cars of 2010

1. Volkswagen Polo – 347 points
2. Toyota iQ – 337 points
3. Vauxhall Astra – 221 points
4. Skoda Yeti – 158 points
5. Mercedes-Benz E-Class – 155 points
6. Peugeot 3008 – 144 points
7. Citroen C3 Picasso – 113 points

1 Series is now more powerful than the last generation of M3

Qamar Rehman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:06:24 +0000

A German tuner has boosted the BMW 135i coupe to 350bhp – making it more powerful than the last generation BMW M3.

The BMW 135i coupe is a sleek two-door version of the baby 1 Series hot-hatch and comes with 300bhp as standard.

Now Hartge – who specialise in tuning BMWs – have upped the 135i coupe’s twin-turbocharged 3-litre engine to a massive 350bhp.

View more images of the Hartge BMW 135i coupe

And the performance figures are on par with the new V8-powered BMW M3 – 0-62mph takes just 4.8 seconds, and the Hartge-tuned 135i coupe will hit a top speed of 174mph, which is faster than any standard BMW.

Read Used BMW 1 Series Car Review

Revised A6 are available to order now.

Qamar Rehman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:19:52 +0000

Audi has also announced revisions to its A6 range, which are available to order now.

All models get styling tweaks including new bumper designs, new front grille, new front fog lights and new LED running lights on S-Line and RS models.

A new Audi A6 ‘e’ model brings fuel economy to the fore. Its 2-litre TDI diesel engine is mated to a revised long-ratio gearbox and the body gets lowered suspension and aerodynamic tweaks to give it an average fuel economy of 53.3mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of just 139g/km.

This places the Audi A6 in tax band C with an annual charge of £120 – the same as a host of superminis. And it still accelerates from 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds and has a top speed of 129mph.

Audi is also introducing a new performance engine, the 3-litre TFSI with 288bhp and 309lb/ft of pulling power – accelerating the A6 from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds.

Compare prices of Used Audi Cars For Sale with Auto Trader UK

Audi A5 3.2FSI and 2.7 TDI

Qamar Rehman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:01:32 +0000

The Audi A5 is being billed as the car to finally peg back the dominance of the brilliant BMW 3-Series coupe.

Designed to offer sportiness and practicality, the elegant-looking Audi seats four, has great performance and boasts an impressive 455-litre boot.

The 3.2-litre V6 model which produces 262bhp, accelerates from 0-62mph (100kph) in 6.1 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.

Improved Engines of A4 and A5

Qamar Rehman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:40:22 +0000

Audi has just announced a new engine will replace its 1.8-litre Audi A5 offering, and the Audi A4 will get a more powerful diesel.

Audi A5

Since its launch the entry level Audi A5 has been fitted with a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine offering 168bhp. This engine will now be phased out to make way for a 2-litre with 10bhp more, and with power which arrives earlier in the rev band.

Its emissions of 154g/km are nine per cent down on the 1.8-litre model, and place it in tax band D with an annual charge of £145.

Audi A4

View more pictures of the Audi A4

Until now the Audi A4 has been available with 118bhp and 141bhp 2-litre turbocharged diesel engines. And now a more powerful 168bhp version has arrived, giving the Audi A4 diesel its best performance yet.

he Audi A4 168bhp 2-litre diesel is in tax band C with its annual charge of £120.

All new A5 and S5 Cabriolets

Qamar Rehman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:32:35 +0000

These are the new Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolets – the German car maker’s replacements for the convertible A4.

On sale in the spring, the Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolets will be fitted with a lightweight roof which takes just 15 seconds to open and 17 seconds to shut and can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph.

With the hood up, the Audi’s boot has a 380-litre capacity and this is only reduced to 320-litres when in convertible mode.

The A5 – which is the entry level to convertible ‘5’ ownership – is available with 2-litre and 3.2-litre petrol engines developing 209bhp and 259bhp respectively and a 3-litre diesel with 235bhp.

Both petrol models are front-wheel drive while the diesel gets the Quattro 4WD treatment with 60 per cent of the pulling power sent to the rear wheels

When Touareg towed jumbo jet

Qamar Rehman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:13:53 +0000

A Volkswagen Touareg SUV has amazed onlookers by towing a 500 seat Boeing 747.

The 4×4 towed the 155 tonne jumbo jet for 150 metres at 5mph at Dunsfield Aerodrome, south west London.

Tipping the scales at more than 7 tonnes, the Touareg was fitted with a special towing adaptor and 4.3 tonnes of metal ballast to increase stability.

The driver, Uwe Krieghoff, said: “I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t find anything heavier to tow.”

Celebrities Owned Jaguar Cars sold with Auto Trader

Qamar Rehman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:54:13 +0000

Save £30k on Jermain Defoe’s Jaguar XK A stunning Jaguar XK Convertible previously owned by England and Portsmouth hotshot Jermain Defoe is for sale on Auto Trader.This 2007 Jaguar XK is on the market for £39,750 – £30,000 LESS than the £69,000 paid by Defoe for the car last year.

Jermain Defoe is one of the Premiership’s top strikers, hitting the back on the net five times already this season to make him the second top English-born player in the goalscoring charts.

Used Jaguar XK Car Review
Compare Prices of Used Jaguar XK Cars For Sale

Celebrity Big Brother star’s Jaguar for sale

A retro Jaguar XJ-S previously owned by Celebrity Big Brother star Preston is for sale on Auto Trader. The Ordinary Boys frontman was the second owner of the V12-powered 1986 Jaguar XJ-S Cabriolet.

The Jaguar XJ-S had a lot to live up to when it was revealed to the world in 1976 – following in the tyre marks left by the über-cool Jaguar E Type.

It was built during a tough time for British Leyland and was never the success Jaguar anticipated – with the final one rolling off the line in 1996.

Now you can get your hands on Preston’s old Jaguar XJ-S – which he paid £12,000 for – for £7,995.

Compare prices of used jaguar xjs cars for sale

England goalkeeper’s Jaguar for sale

A supercharged Jaguar XJR owned by Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James is for sale on Auto Trader.

A Jaguar owned by Portsmouth and England goalkeeper David James is for sale on Auto Trader. James was the first owner of the 2000 Jaguar XJR, which is powered by a supercharged 4-litre V8 producing 370bhp. This power launches the luxury motor from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds before reaching an electronically limited to speed of 155mph.

Compare prices of used jaguar xjr cars for sale

TV star’s Jaguar for sale

A Jaguar owned by comedian Dawn French is for sale on Auto Trader. French was the first owner of this 1997 Jaguar XK8 coupé. Powered by a 4-litre V8, the XK8 produces 290bhp and 290lb/ft of pulling power. This can accelerate the British sports car from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds before reaching a limited top speed of 155mph.

Inside, the car is fitted with air-conditioning, electric windows, power steering, sports seats and CD player.

Sitting on 18-inch alloys the automatic Jag – which cost £50,000 new – boasts traction control and a private plate. It has a combined fuel economy of 22mpg, and 102,000 miles on the clock.

French made her name in the Eighties forming one half of French and Saunders. She is married to fellow comic Lenny Henry.

Premiership star’s Jaguar for sale

A convertible Jaguar once owned by Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is for sale on Auto Trader. The 1999 XK is powered by a 4-litre V8, producing 290bhp. Sitting on 20-inch alloys, the Jag accelerates from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph.

Inside, the convertible boasts climate control, CD player, sports seats and a full leather interior.

England star’s Jaguar XK8 for sale

A Jaguar formerly owned by Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand is for sale on Auto Trader. Powered by a 4-litre V8, the 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible produces 290bhp. This power enables acceleration from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

Inside, the Jag is equipped with front and side airbags, air-conditioning, leather seats and a CD multi-changer.

Jaguar XK based on Kate’s curves

Hollywood star Kate Winslet has revealed the Jaguar XK is based on her curves.

The British actress told American chat show host Jay Leno: “Apparently, the man who designed this Jaguar car decided that I – for whatever reason – was the ideal woman. It’s kind of flattering.”

Football star Michael Owen’s old Jaguar for sale

How would you like to get your hands on a Jaguar – with Premiership appeal? England hero Michael Owen was the proud owner of this Jaguar XKR.

Joe Calzaghe’s used Audi RS4 for sale

Priyanka Dalvi — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:46:33 +0000

Joe Calzaghe, now officially retired but mulling a potential comeback, is the former undisputed middleweight champion of the world.

A 414bhp Audi previously owned by one of the UK’s best ever boxers is for sale on Auto Trader.

Joe’s used Audi comes with 19-inch wheels, sat nav, a CD multi-changer, Bluetooth phone preparation and a multi-functioning steering wheel. You also get sports seats complete with the ‘RS4’ logo embossed on the top.

The Audi RS4 features Audi’s famous Quattro four-wheel drive system, sending 60 per cent of the car’s prodigious power to the rear wheels for some proper high-speed lunacy.

There are loads of Joe’s old cars for sale on the site. Get your hands on the following of his collection -

If you are insterested in purchasing his used Audi RS4 car, it comes complete with a full service history and has covered just 27,345 miles, and can be yours for £33,000. Read more..

Search for more used Audi RS4 cars for sale on Auto Trader.

Used Toyota Celica car review

Priyanka Dalvi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:05:58 +0000

Toyota Celica is superbly equipped and has competent road. It is a unique choice in its market. It might not boast the off-road ability of some of its rivals, but it’s a better car on the tarmac for it. This article aims to provide you with all the advice and information to make the right choices when buying a used Toyota Celica.

Test-drive the used car for its below features -

• Looks –
There’s no ambiguity with the Toyota’s lines; you can tell immediately that this is a car with sporting pretensions thanks to the swoopy silhouette, low-slung nose and 2+2 configuration.

• Accessories –
In typical Japanese fashion, this is one of the Celica’s high spots, as it comes with a raft of standard equipment for which you’d pay extra if buying from many of Toyota’s rivals.

• Performance –
All cars have a six-speed manual gearbox, but in the T-Sport the ratios are closer together and top gear gives just 20.5mph/1000rpm.

• Reliability –
In typical Toyota fashion there’s little to worry about when it comes to reliability, as even hard-driven cars seem to give few problems. However, there are one or two things that it’s worth keeping an eye out for. Perhaps the most important is whether or not the car is a grey import. If it is, not only might the car not have the correct UK specification, but it may also not be properly rustproofed, so watch out for corrosion in the floor pans and inner wheel-arches.

• Practicality –
For a sporting car, the Toyota Celica scores impressively in the practicality stakes thanks to the incorporation of a hatchback rather than a boot.

Visiting the seller:
Always visit the seller at their home address. Don’t arrange to meet them at a motorway service station, a lay-by or any other address aside from the one where they live.

You must check the V5C document of the used Toyota Celica car. Also check the service history, MOT etc. Do not accept photocopies of these documents, they should be original.

Read more about used Toyota cars on Toyota hub of Auto Trader. Brwose through used Toyota Celica cars for sale.