NEWS
May 2008

Fuel's Gold

If you are increasingly concerned about petrol costs after the recent price rises, ask yourself these questions next time you are driving. What is the delay time between lifting off the accelerator and applying the brake? And what gears are you using?

You can improve fuel consumption and gain the environmental benefits of advanced driving by lifting off the accelerator earlier on your approach to traffic lights etc, and therefore reducing your braking at the end, because you have already lost speed.

Acceleration sense is about how you vary your foot pressure on the accelerator pedal so you don’t have to brake as often or as hard.

Surprisingly to some, one of the pillars of fuel efficient driving is accelerating briskly to a safe cruising speed and then taking the highest gear.

The longer you can avoid braking, the more you are using the momentum you’ve built up. It means thinking a bit further ahead of where you are. Most drivers tend to go straight from accelerator to brake – and that is when fuel consumption suffers.

Plan your arrival at roundabouts so that you decelerate for a longer period in a higher gear. That way you may not have to stop by allowing other traffic to clear before you get there.

And lastly, think long and hard about that overtake. Not only do you have to be entirely sure you can get past safely (important, to put it mildly) there is also the possibility that you are not gaining much in journey time. Advanced driving is all about thinking ahead, sometimes further than you can see!

Audi A3 Cabriolet - Out now

The A3 Cabriolet not only converts to topless mode and back extraordinarily rapidly, but also genuinely accommodates four passengers without ruling out impressive luggage capacity that is expandable thanks to the standard split/fold rear seat. Standard versions of the A3 Cabriolet will boast a generous equipment list that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electric windows and mirrors and semi-automatic hood operation.

• 1.8 160PS & 2.0 200 PS TFSI, also 1.9 105PS & 2.0 140PS TDI engines initially available
• Sport specification at an additional cost of £1,850
• S line specification carries a premium of £1,550 over Sport model
• OTR prices from £20,750 – £27,060
  

Honda Accord - June

Honda’s all-new Accord will provide a strong challenge to the traditional premium manufacturers in the D-sector, with sporty styling, greater refinement and excellent driving dynamics. All engines in the line up will be Euro 5 emissions compliant, and the model will feature a sector-leading package of safety systems.

• Second-generation diesel engine – i-DTEC. Cleaner, smoother & more powerful
• A lowered centre of gravity and wider track for better handling
• Dashboard featuring ‘floating’ backlit instruments, with an LCD multi-information display
• Accord Tourer launch date – 1st September

Fiat 500 - Out now

Developed by the Fiat Style Centre and manufactured in Fiat’s Tychy (Poland) plant, the new 500 is a 3-door model with very compact measurements: 355 cm long, 65 cm wide, 149 cm tall and a wheelbase of 230 cm, already available in Italy, expect to see the baby Fiat on our roads early 2008.

• Trim levels – Pop, Lounge and Sport
• 1.2 8v 69bhp, 1.4 16v 100bhp petrol & 1.3 16v Multijet 75bhp diesel
• Air conditioning standard on Lounge & Pop
• Expect an ‘Abarth’ version in the Spring

Alfa Mi.To - Early 2009

The Mi.To is the first new Alfa Romeo to be built since the 8C Competizione, Alfa Romeo’s icon of style and technology, from which it borrows certain characteristic traits such as the particular shape of the frameless side windows, the distinctive frontal treatment, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights. We should see more of this car in the press over the coming months.

• Turbocharged range of petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp
• Three different vehicle behaviour modes – Dynamic, Normal, All-weather
• Customisable extras will be available such as switchable headlight & tailgate surrounds
• Prices should start at around £12,000