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New Skoda Rapid from around £12k
The new Skoda Rapid will cost from around £12,000, when it goes on sale in November, according to company insiders.
The Rapid will sit between the Fabia and the Octavia in Skoda’s range, and is the production version of the MissionL concept car revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.
It will share the same underpinnings as the Seat Toledo, and order books are expected to open around September.
Skoda revealed a saloon version of the Rapid at the 2012 Beijing motor show, but it will be a more practical hatchback that goes on sale in the UK. Skoda sources have suggested that a 'sportback' lifestyle estate version that puts sleek looks ahead of outright load capacity could arrive in 2013.
The first pictures of the production-ready Rapid are expected next month, with prices and engine details due in July. It'll be officially unveiled at the Paris motor show in September.
The Rapid is a similar size to the current Octavia, which is due for replacement in the second half of 2013. The all-new Octavia will be bigger, sleeker and more expensive than the current model, to accommodate the Rapid in Skoda's range.
A version of the new Octavia is expected to be shown at the Geneva motor show next March.
Mark Pearson
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New Audi A3 petrol to match diesel's CO2
Audi's new 1.4 'cylinder on demand' petrol engine will match the equivalent diesel version's CO2 emissions when it arrives in the new A3 next spring.
The engine saves fuel by shutting down two of its four cylinders when cruising. An Audi insider told What Car? that early indications suggest a CO2 output of just 106g/km. If that's confirmed, it puts the 138bhp turbocharged petrol version on a par with the more expensive 148bhp 2.0 TDI model.
This news will be of interest to company car drivers, who are currently charged a higher Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax rate on diesels. The new 1.4 petrol engine is expected to offer 40%-rate taxpayers a monthly saving of around £27 compared with an equivalent 2.0 TDI model.
The 1.4 petrol won’t quite match the 2.0 TDI on fuel economy – it’s expected to return an average of 61.8mpg compared with the diesel’s 68.9mpg – but fuel bills will be similar as long as petrol remains cheaper at the pumps.
Asked if such a clean petrol engine will render the more expensive diesel version redundant, Audi A3 marketing manager Rob Morris said he still expected the 2.0 TDI to be the bigger seller, due to the diesel preference of most fleet managers.
‘Part of my job is to educate fleet managers about the benefits of our latest petrol engines, but this won’t happen overnight,’ he said.
Audi also confirmed that the hugely successful A3 Cabriolet will be replaced in 2014.
Will Nightingale
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Skoda Citigo from £75 per month
The Skoda Citigo could be available for as little as £75 per month, according to well-placed industry sources.
At its UK launch, Skoda insiders told us that the Citigo could be available under a personal contract hire scheme for an initial deposit of around £2000, followed by monthly payments of £75. Alternatively, a deposit of £145 would mean monthly payments of £145.
The Citigo is closely related to the Volkswagen Up, our 2012 Car of the Year. Leasing deals for the Up currently start at around £85 per month.
Prices for the Citigo will start from £7630 when it goes on sale in June. That's £365 less than the cheapest Volkswagen Up and £215 less than the entry-level Seat Mii – making Skoda's model the least expensive of the three virtually identical city cars.
A five-door version of the Citigo will be launched at the same time and will cost £350 more than the three-door car.
Mark Pearson
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New Astra to be built at Ellesmere Port
The future of the Vauxhall factory at Ellesmere Port has been secured after Vauxhall's parent company, General Motors (GM) announced that it will build the next-generation Astra there.
GM will confirm the deal later today. The news will safeguard around 2100 jobs at the factory, and create hundreds more when a third shift is added to the production line by 2015.
Business secretary Vince Cable said that the deal showed the UK was 'a good business environment for the motor industry'.
It is thought that the Unite union's cooperation in recommending a new deal on pay and conditions was central to GM's decision to bring production of the car to Ellesmere Port. The union deal is said to include a two-year pay freeze.
Unite's general secretary, Len McCluskey said: 'From a position of uncertainty earlier this year, there is now a potential for a future at the plant until 2020 and beyond, and with that 700 new skilled jobs at Ellesmere Port itself, and possibly hundreds more in the supply chain.
'Importantly, this move will also bring component supplier plants back into the UK, a development that strengthens our manufacturing base generally.'
Vauxhall Chairman and Managing Director Duncan Aldred said: 'This is great news for the Ellesmere Port factory. We have been able to develop a responsible labour agreement that secures the plant’s future. This is assisted by the government‘s industrial strategy; increasing its focus on the manufacturing sector and creating ideal ground for companies to build up long-term investments.
'With Ellesmere Port’s proven build quality and a new agreement that ensures excellent cost competitiveness, this facility will provide additional employment and, as the lead plant for the next-generation Astra, will be one of the cornerstones of our European manufacturing footprint.'
However, the good news for Ellesmere Port could mean the closure of the Opel factory in Bochum, Germany.
Pete Barden
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Porsche 918 Spyder revealed
This is the Porsche 918 Spyder, which will go into production late next year.
Its styling is clearly reminiscent of the stunning concept car that was first displayed at the 2010 Geneva motor show.
Power is supplied by a 4.6-litre V8 and two axle-mounted electric motors, which develop a combined output of 759bhp. This will propel the 918 from 0-62mph in just 3.0 seconds, and on to beyond 200mph – yet return average economy of 94mpg and CO2 emissions of just 70g/km. The 918 Spyder can also travel distances of up to 15 miles on electric power alone.
The 918 Spyder is expected to cost more than £650,000. It has racing car-inspired touches such as its 'top pipe' exhausts that exit just behind the carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) monocoque. The design, according to Porsche, helps divert heat away from the hybrid's battery packs.
Rear-wheel steering is aimed at giving the 918 greater cornering ability, while high-performance brakes – with energy recuperation – will help slow things down when required.
Just 918 of the cars will be built, with first deliveries in early 2014.
Pete Barden
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2012 Audi A3 review
The new Audi A3 is a hugely important model, because it’s the replacement for Audi’s biggest seller in the UK.
Perhaps that’s why the designers have played it safe with the exterior styling. The new A3 has slimmer headlights and sharper body creases than its predecessor, but it looks much like a face-lifted version of that car.
Don’t be fooled, though. The latest A3 is built on a new platform that will also underpin the next generation Volkswagen Golf. There are big efficiency gains; engine stop-start is now standard across the range, and Audi has used aluminium and high-strength steel to help make the new car up to 80kg lighter than the old one.
What’s the 2012 Audi A3 like to drive?
The diet that the A3 has been on is good news for agility as well as efficiency. Our test cars came on standard suspension (there’s also a Sport set-up that lowers the ride height by 15mm, and an S line set-up that lowers it by 25mm), but body roll was well controlled.
The steering is a little slow, so the A3 doesn’t feel especially sporty. However, it always reacts in a predictable way and the steering weights up reassuringly when you put the Drive Select system (standard on Sport and S line models, and an option on SEs) in Dynamic mode.
Ride comfort also seemed pretty good on the Spanish roads of our test route, although these were significantly smoother than the roads you generally find in the UK, and the suspension didn’t completely isolate us from the few rough stretches we found.
Three engines are available at launch: 121bhp 1.4 and 178bhp 1.8 turbo petrols and the 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel that we spent most time in. The diesel is a strong and flexible performer that’s happy to pull from well below 1500rpm, and while it transmits some vibration into the cabin at idle, it’s smooth at cruising speeds.
Only the dual-clutch S tronic gearbox (which will be available as an option from November) really disappoints, delivering jerky shifts when left in automatic mode. It’s much smoother when you take control using the gearlever or the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
The S tronic works slightly better with the 1.8-litre engine, which pulls eagerly throughout its rev range and makes the car seriously fast.
We also tried two engines that will be joining the line-up early next year. The 103bhp 1.6 TDI boasts CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, yet it's incredibly smooth and flexible, even from low revs.
Perhaps even more impressive, though, is the the 138bhp 1.4 petrol. This turbocharged engine is as strong and punchy as you'd expect, yet emits just 106g/km of CO2 thanks to a clever 'cylinder on demand' system, which shuts off two of the engine's four cylinders when cruising to save fuel.
All versions are very refined at a steady cruise, with a touch of wind noise around the door mirrors the only thing disturbing the peace.
When the new A3 goes on sale, it will be available in front-wheel-drive form only. However, four-wheel drive will be offered as on option later on more powerful models.
What’s the 2012 Audi A3 like inside?
The old A3 had one of the classiest cabins in the small family car sector, but the new one takes things to a whole new level. It’s built from the sort of materials you’d usually expect to find in an executive saloon, while beautifully weighted switchgear, and a super-slim infotainment screen that glides out of the dash add to the impression that no expense has been spared.
That slim-line screen forms part of Audi’s Multi Media Interface, which comes as standard, and lets you control most of the A3’s major functions via a central control dial and a small collection of buttons.
The system is now more user-friendly than ever, because Audi has raised some of the shortcut keys, allowing you to find the one you want simply by touch. However, it still isn’t as intuitive as BMW's iDrive, which features fewer buttons and clearer menus.
People of all sizes should be able to find a comfortable driving position in the A3, thanks to generous front space and a huge range of adjustment. The front seats return to their previous position after you’ve let someone into the rear, too, so you don’t have to reset your driving position afterwards.
Rear space is less impressive (both the Golf and the BMW 1 Series offer more) but six-footers can fit without too much discomfort.
The boot has grown from 350 to 365 litres for the new car, making it one of the biggest in the class. It also comes with an adjustable floor that reduces the load lip and ensures there’s no step up to the rear seats when they’re folded forward.
Entry-level SE cars come with alloy wheels, Bluetooth, voice control and manual air-con, while Sport models add dual-zone climate control, sports seats and the sports suspension (the standard SE suspension is available as a no-cost option). Sports suspension is also standard on range-topping S line models, but the SE and S line suspension set-ups are no-cost options, and S line cars are the only ones that get a bodykit and xenon headlights.
Should I buy one?
The new A3 is significantly better than the car it replaces, yet most prices have risen by only a few hundred pounds and running costs will be lower. For example, the 2.0-litre diesel averages 4.7mpg more than its predecessor and sits two company car tax bands lower, despite having more power.
Still, as impressive as this is, we reckon it’s worth waiting until later in the year when the range will expand to include the 1.6-litre diesel engine, or until spring 2013 when Audi will introduce the 'cylinder on demand' 1.4.
It’s also worth noting that Audi will add a five-door Sportback version to the range next spring, while Mercedes will launch a new A-Class and Volkswagen a new Golf before the end of the year.
Rivals:
BMW 1 Series
VW Golf
What Car? says…
Steve Huntingford
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Many drivers running low on fuel
One in eight motorists drive with a near-empty petrol tank as they battle soaring fuel prices, according to new research from breakdown company Green Flag.
Young drivers have been hit hardest, with nearly 25% of 18-34 year olds admitting to driving 'on vapours'.
A 27% increase in fuel prices since 2008 has contributed to 1.4 million – 4% of UK drivers – motorists running out of fuel.
Green Flag's research revealed that those most likely to be scraping the bottom of the fuel tank are drivers in the North East and Wales, with 18% of motorists running on empty.
Those in the North West are least likely to run dry, with just 9% of drivers regularly dodging the forecourt.
North East – 18%
Wales – 18%
East Midlands – 16%
West Midlands – 16%
Yorkshire & Humberside – 14%
South East – 14%
N. Ireland – 13%
Scotland – 11%
London – 10%
South West – 9%
East of England – 9%
North West – 8%
Miranda Schunke, of Green Flag breakdown service, said: 'These drivers pose a serious threat to themselves and other motorists. Running out of fuel on a busy road increases the risk of being hit by other motorists and those who have run dry awaiting assistance by the side of the road are also leaving themselves unnecessarily vulnerable.'
Pete Barden
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Motorways unfit for 80mph limit
England's motorways aren't safe enough for an 80mph speed limit, according to a report from the Road Safety Foundation (RSF).
The safety charity blames poorly maintained roadside protection and volume of traffic for its findings, which have been published as the Government continues to review the current national speed limit on motorways.
The Government believes that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph to reflect modern motoring. Speaking in autumn 2011, Philip Hammond, the then secretary of state for Transport said that the 'huge economic benefits' of shortening journey times could not be ignored.
However, the RSF says its research has found that widespread faults in run-off protection make it impossible to increase the motorway speed limit to 80mph without risking more death and serious injury.
The RSF says that only a handful of motorway sections, such as the M25 and M40, have electronic controls with hazard warning and variable speed limits that are needed to manage traffic flow across the network.
The RSF's director of road safety, Dr Joanne Marden, said: 'Our cars provide 4-star or 5-star crash protection but too many of our motorways rate only 3-star, with major weakness in run-off protection.
'Large economic benefits arise from fixing the motorways systematically rather than raising the speed limit.'
However, the RSF's report has been slammed as 'seriously flawed' by the Association of British Drivers (ABD).
The ABD's chairman, Brian Gregory, said: 'Motorways are our safest roads by a huge margin, with an accident rate one-seventh that of rural A-roads and one-eleventh that of all rural roads.'
Government plans for speed limits will be revealed later this year and changes will be implemented in early 2013. The review applies to motorways in England and Wales. Responsibilities are devolved in Northern Ireland and are planned to be devolved in Scotland.
Increases in speed limit would apply to cars and motorcycles only.
Pete Barden
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Volkswagen introduces standard DAB radio
Volkswagen has made DAB radio standard for all its models from the Polo to the Phaeton.
All 2013 model-year VWs – apart from the Up – now come with DAB radio as standard. It was previously standard on Golf Match, CC and Touareg models, and a £185 option for other models.
The updated audio systems will still be able to pick up conventional FM and AM radio signals.
The 2013 model-year Volkswagen range is available to order now.
Leo Wilkinson
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Highway Code app is launched
A Highway Code smartphone app has been released to help users improve road safety.
The app was launched by Transport secretary Justine Greening, and is compatible with the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. However, it's not available on phones running other operating systems, such as Android.
Features on the app include the complete contents of the Highway Code, along with interactive functions such as quizzes, a stopping-distance calculator, and a tool to help identify road signs.
Justine Greening said: 'With more of us using smartphones and other devices it's vital that products such as the Highway Code adapt to be as accessible as possible.
'The app makes it easier for everyone to keep their knowledge up to date and is a great example of how new technology can help to improve road safety.'
The Highway Code app costs £3.99 and is available through the iTunes Store.
For those using other operating systems, the Highway Code can be viewed for free online. A spokesman for the Driving Standards Agency said that it 'may look at rolling out the app to Android and other platforms in the future'.
Pete Barden
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