The all-new second generation Kia cee’d goes on sale in the UK on 1 June bringing enhanced quality, refinement and efficiency to the family car market.  Designed, engineered and built in Europe Kia’s replacement for the car that pioneered the seven-year warranty, and changed perceptions of Kia, combines impressive levels of comfort, safety and luxury whilst maintaining competitive pricing with on the road prices starting from £14,395. If the first cee’d was a game-changer for Kia, the new one takes the company into an altogether different league.  It is nothing less than a showcase for everything that Kia knows about design, quality, engineering and technology. New cee’d is available with a state-of-the-art direct-injection petrol engine for the first time and is the first Kia in the world to offer a dual-clutch automated manual transmission.  It is still one of only a handful of compact hatchbacks to have independent rear suspension, with inherent advantages for ride and handling – both of which have been honed even further for the new car.  Quality and refinement have been significantly raised to be at the top of the class and it offers technology that, until recently, was available only on upmarket models from premium brands.

European design and quality

The original cee’d made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2006 – at the same time as Kia introduced Peter Schreyer as its new Chief Design Officer. Their simultaneous arrival meant that Schreyer was able to influence only the smallest details of the car’s design, but the new model has been created entirely under his watchful gaze by a team led by European design chief Gregory Guillaume. While only a little longer than the previous model (up 50mm to 4,310mm), the new cee’d has different proportions which give it a sportier stance and a more upmarket appearance.  It is narrower and lower (down 10mm each to 1,780mm and 1,470mm respectively) and sits closer to the ground, while the cabin has been shifted forwards to allow a more rakish roofline without impinging on the original car’s outstanding passenger or luggage space.  Front passengers benefit from increased head- and legroom and there is more shoulder room all round.  The wheelbase, one of the longest in class, at 2,650mm, is unchanged, but the overhangs are greater to provide greater crash protection (front) and boot capacity – up by 40 litres to a class-best 380 litres. At the same time the aerodynamics have been improved so that the new cee’d cuts through the air more efficiently at speed. The co-efficient of drag (Cd) of the new cee’d is 0.30.  Even a tiny improvement in Cd brings measurable benefits in fuel economy.

Kia aerodynamicists spent more than 100 hours in the wind tunnel at the company’s research and development centre at Namyang, in Korea, honing tiny details like the shape of therear spoiler and engine cover, the vertical edge on the rear lamps and the centre cover beneath the floor to effect an improvement in the car’s Cd. The athletic appearance of the new cee’d is emphasised by significantly wider front and rear track measurements and heightened by the availability of wheels of up to 17-inches in diameter, tightly encased by the bodywork.  With its steeply angled A-pillars, low belt line and emphatic glass house the new cee’d has something of a coupé-like profile, while the front is dominated by the latest interpretation of the Kia ‘tiger-nose’ grille flanked by wrap-around lamp clusters housing signature LED daytime running lights on the majority of models.

New front-quarter windows on the A-pillar have improved driver and passenger visibility. The improvements in quality are actual as well as perceived. The tight shutlines would not look out of place on a premium car, while most versions have an elegant chrome window surround. First impressions are matched when stepping into the cabin.  Soft-touch surfaces, high-quality materials, damped sun visors and lidded storage areas, subtle red ambient lighting, tactile door grab handles and precise panel gaps combine to give the interior of the new cee’d a solid, mature, made-from-a-mould feel. This is emphasised by the improved refinement of the latest car. Torsional body strength has been increased by 51 per cent over the previous model, with effort put in all over the car, right down to a windscreen which is now bonded in rather than mounted in a seal, thus shutting out more exterior noise. There are new-style weather strips around the door frames, more filling in the pillar areas, restyled door mirrors and thicker front door glass which all play a part. Even the sealing strips on the door sills have been modified to make it more difficult for noise to enter the cabin.

Improved efficiency The second-generation cee’d raises the benchmark for fuel-efficiency in its class, with average fuel consumption reductions of 4 per cent and CO₂ emissions as low as 97g/km for the 1.6-litre diesel model – a remarkably low figure for a non-hybrid car.  Four engines are available at launch – 1.4- and 1.6-litre diesels from Kia’s U2 family and petrol engines of similar capacity from the Gamma range. The 1.6-litre petrol engine features efficiency-enhancing direct fuel injection.  Familiar from the Kia Sportage, it is the most powerful of the four cee’d engines, with 133bhp and 164Nm of torque, and is the only cee’d available with the new dual-clutch gearbox developed in-house by Kia.

This advanced new gearbox allows fully automatic operation, or manual changes, via steering wheel-mounted paddles, but without the fuel consumption penalties that accompany conventional automatics.  Because one clutch works with gears one, three and five and the other takes care of gears two, four and six, the transmission is always primed for the next up- or down-shift ensuring changes are particularly rapid and smooth. All 1.6-litre manual versions of the cee’d are equipped with ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go), Kia’s engine stop/start system which is a major contributor to the efficiency improvements of the new range. The 1.6-litre diesel with ISG has a combined cycle potential fuel economy of more than 76mpg, with CO₂emissions from 97g/km, depending on the wheel and tyre combination. The 1.6-litre diesel develops 126bhp and 260Nm of torque – figures which promise outstanding driveability in the conditions faced by Europeans on a daily basis. It is available with a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox in place of the standard six-speed manual. The CO₂  emissions of the 1.6 CRDi automatic are 145g/km. The 1.4-litre units deliver a strong balance of flexible performance and low fuel consumption,
even without the aid of ISG. The petrol version develops 98bhp and 137Nm of torque and is capable of more than 47mpg, with CO₂ emissions from 139g/km. The diesel, with 89bhp and 220Nm, manages almost 69mpg, with CO₂emissions down to 109g/km.

Safer and more luxurious

The stiffer bodyshell is the result of a comprehensive package of reinforcements in critical areas with the aim of making the new cee’d not just amongst the most efficient in its class, but also the safest. In total, 57 per cent of the new body is made from high-tensile steel, with ultra-high-tensile steel in the B-pillar structures. There is an i-type subframe with more rigid side members, front apron and dashboard. Horizontal and centre tunnel supports have been added in the dash area. The A-pillars, inner door rail and upper and lower body structures have been reinforced. New transverse cross-members link the front and rear suspension mounts while the angle of the front side crash members has been decreased for better deformation. And there is a ring-type support around the rear roof rail and tailgate opening. The new cee’d also provides better pedestrian protection in the event of a collision, and is easier and cheaper to repair after a low-speed (9mph or lower) accident. The extensive standard and passive safety equipment of the previous cee’d – including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and six airbags – has been supplemented with new features. All versions of the new cee’d have Emergency Stop Signalling (ESS) which causes the rear brake lamps to flash in an emergency stop to alert following drivers. Depending on model, static and active cornering lights, a colour reversing camera, a Parallel Parking Assist System which automatically steers the car into kerbside spaces and a Lane Departure Warning System are also available. Driver and passenger comfort have also been substantially upgraded in the new cee’d. Most models now have a Flex Steer function within the standard Motor Driven Power Steering with three settings – ­ Comfort, Normal and Sport – so that the level of assistance can be increased when parking and decreased to make the car more stable at highway speeds. An electronic parking brake, a heated steering wheel, automatic lights and wipers, larger vents to deliver more air to the rear footwells, dual-zone automatic air conditioning – with soft and fast air-flow modes, 10-way adjustable driver’s memory seat and electric lumbar support are all features new to the cee’d range. The audio systems have been upgraded and are now fully integrated into the dash for a higher-quality appearance and have improved functionality. It incorporates Bluetooth with voice recognition in 10 languages and music streaming, iPod connectivity through the original iPod cable and 600Mb of MP3 memory within the headunit.  The high-grade Audio plus Navigation system now has a 20 per cent more powerful control unit and permits voice recognition in 13 languages, full UK postcode entry when setting navigation instructions, Traffic Messaging Channel information and full phone number download from the owner’s mobile telephone.

High specification across the range

The new cee’d is available in five trim grades – named ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ in the now-customary Kia UK fashion –  with the option of a ‘4 Tech’ version of cee’d ‘4’. All feature a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a height-adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, front electric windows, projection headlights, daytime running lights, remote central locking, a cooled glovebox, a flat-folding 60:40 split rear seat, ambient front lighting, an iPod-compatible audio system with radio and CD player, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity, ESP and VSM, HAC (Hill-start Assist Control), six airbags and speed-sensitive auto door locking. cee’d ‘2’ adds 16-inch alloy wheels, cornering lights, LED daytime running lights and rear combination lamps, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, leather trim on the steering wheel, gearshifter and handbrake,  greater use of chrome highlights, a rear centre armrest, all-round electric windows, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing sensors and the Flex Steer function. cee’d ‘3’ has in addition privacy glass, automatic headlights with a ‘follow-me-home’ function, rain-sensing front wipers with de-icing elements, a height-adjustable front passenger’s seat, electric lumbar support on both front seats, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with two-step air-flow control and a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation with European mapping, UK postcode entry and built-in colour reversing camera system. cee’d ‘4’ introduces 17-inch alloys, exterior illumination on the front door handles, black leather front seats with contrasting grey inserts and three-stage heating, a heated steering wheel, electronic parking brake, an engine stop/start button with smart entry system,  rear air ventilation system, a premium centre console with sliding cover and a TFT LCD multi-function high-definition colour display.  Finally, at the top of the range, the cee’d ‘4 Tech’ is distinguished by its panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, Parallel Parking Assist System –  including front parking sensors, Lane Departure Warning System and Xenon adaptive front lighting system with automatic levelling. The new cee’d, like its predecessor, was designed and engineered at Kia’s Frankfurt design studios and technical centre and is made at the company’s Žilina plant in Slovakia.  Like every new Kia the latest cee’d comes with a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Servicing Routine servicing is needed only once a year or every 20,000 miles for both petrol and diesel versions. Care-3 – Kia’s servicing package for retail customers – is available for cee’d and offers a fixed cost and inflation-proof servicing for the first three or five years. All work will be carried out by trained product technicians, using genuine Kia replacement parts and specified oils. The Care-3 package is £299 including VAT, which covers the first three services, or the Care-3 Plus package is £549 including VAT and covers the first five services. Both packages cover the car, not the owner, so are transferable should the vehicle be sold.  If a vehicle with a Care-3 package is sold on then the next owner may upgrade to the five year service package.  The cost of the vehicle’s first MoT test fee can be included for just an additional £30. cee’d range – performance and economy

cee’d range – emissions and costs

Lexus’s RX 450h full hybrid luxury SUV has gained sharp new looks, even higher equipment specifications and an attention-grabbing new F Sport model to increase its appeal across the board.

The styling changes are led by the spindle-shaped grille that is a new trademark element in new Lexus design, as also seen on the soon-to-be-launched new GS saloon and the multi-award winning LF-LC concept coupe. The effect is to give RX 450h a much stronger and individual street presence, a character that is even more pronounced in the new F Sport model (details below). To the rear there are redesigned tail lamps, too.

In the cabin small but telling tweaks have been made to trim details and the shape and functionality of some of the controls. There is a new steering wheel, incorporating a new selector switch for the hybrid system’s drive modes, and the operation of the Remote Touch controller has been revised so that it works more like a computer mouse. The Lexus attention to detail even extends to increasing the opening angle of the centre console box lid to make it easier to reach items inside.

New F Sport grade

The RX 450h adopts a whole new sporty persona with the introduction of an F Sport version to the RX range for the first time, offering both sharper looks and performance.

Style-wise the F Sport stands out with a deeper, more vertical front bumper and a dedicated mesh treatment for the upper and lower grilles, which together make the new spindle grille shape an even stronger feature.

There are also dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels and F Sport badging on the exterior, while in the cabin the model’s distinctly sporting character is reflected in aluminium-effect sports pedals and trim inserts, F Sport smooth leather upholstery and scuff plates with the Lexus logo in black. There is also a black roof lining and a bespoke steering wheel with a stitched leather trim.

Other equipment features include a head-up display, and LED headlights with the I-AFSadaptive system that angles the light beam in line with the vehicle turning angle through bends and at junctions.

Lateral damper system

The new RX 450h F Sport is not just about sportier looks, it also offers sharper driving dynamics thanks to a lateral damper system that increases stability and improves ride comfort by absorbing small vibrations.

The system, similar to that introduced in the CT 200h F Sport, uses a front lateral damper in place of the usual fixed bracing between the left and right suspension towers. A second damper unit is deployed at the rear, connecting each side of the lower back panel. The units are designed like a monotube suspension damper and adjust in line with changes in the body rigidity, noise and vibration of their surroundings to give the best possible absorption of body torsion, flexure and fine vibrations.

Sport drive mode

The RX 450h gains an additional Sport mode for itsLexus Hybrid Drivesystem. Selecting Sport (using the new drive mode switch on the redesigned steering wheel) modifies the throttle and electric power steering settings to gain faster responses, and also programmes the Vehicle Stability Control and traction control for less intrusive operation, letting the driver fully exploit the car’s dynamic abilities.

The shift to Sport mode is reflected in the ambient illumination of the instrument panel changing to red.

Revised equipment specifications

Lexus has revised equipment specifications across all RX 450h, in addition to introducing the new F Sport.

The RX 450h SE entry point to the range gains LED daytime running lights, a new perforated leather upholstery and re-designed steering wheel, while the Luxury grade model adopts (in addition to the above) dark-finish 19-inch alloy wheels and benefits from an upgrade to its 12-speaker audio system with aDABdigital tuner and single-discDVDplayer.

At the top of the range the RX 450h Premier is newly equipped as standard with a tilt/slide sunroof and head-up display.

Key specification features for each grade are shown in the table below.

Three new exterior colours have been added to the range: Satin Silver, Burgundy Red and Atlantic Blue, available for all versions, including the new F Sport.

Accessories

Two new accessory packs have been introduced for RX 450h, offering a range of practical features and styling elements.

The Lifestyle Pack offers front and rear under-run protective plates and roof rails, and the new Protection Pack provides rubber floor mats, protective bumper film, mudflaps and a cargo net.

Prices

The new Lexus RX 450h is on sale now, priced as shown below.

Honda (UK) has announced its support for the Royal Air Force Reserves racing project for the 2012 season. Officially named RAF Reserves Racing in Association with Honda, the team are competing in the British Superstock 1000 Championship, campaigning the hugely successful Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Vauxhall today confirmed that production of its next-generation Astra compact car will be built at the company’s manufacturing plant at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.  Ellesmere Port will be the lead plant of only two in Europe building the new model.

The decision follows the conclusion of a ground-breaking new labour agreement which was approved by the Vauxhall workforce yesterday. The agreement comes into force in 2013 and runs through the life of the next-generation Astra, into the early 2020s.

As part of the agreement, the plant will implement a number of creative operating solutions to improve flexibility and reduce fixed costs and hence significantly improve its competitiveness. As a consequence, the Ellesmere Port plant will become one of the most competitive plants in the Vauxhall/Opel manufacturing network.

Assembly of the new compact car is scheduled to start in 2015. Operating on three-shifts, the plant is expected to run profitably at full capacity utilisation.  The plan agrees a minimum of 160,000 vehicles to be produced each year.  Vauxhall/Opel intends to invest £125 million into the facility in Ellesmere Port in order to upgrade it to the latest manufacturing standards and prepare for production of the new model. The company expects to create circa 700 new direct jobs in order to facilitate the three-shift operation.

Vauxhall will also raise the local supply content for the Astra to be built in Ellesmere Port to at least 25% which will create further employment locally and in the UK overall and further increase the plant’s competitiveness.

Vauxhall Chairman and Managing Director, Duncan Aldred, said: “This is great news for the Ellesmere Port plant, our employees, the local community, our suppliers, the Vauxhall brand and the UK. 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.”

Vauxhall is quintessentially British and has been manufacturing motor vehicles in the UK seamlessly since 1903.  This announcement, allied to Vauxhall’s continuing launch of award-winning, stylish and innovative new products, its sponsorship of the Home Nations football and its industry-leading Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty, underpins the brand’s commitment to the UK market and its loyal customers.

The Porsche 918 Spyder is on the road. Driving trials of the super sports car of the future has progressed a step further with completion of the initial prototypes. The 918 Spyder will go into production at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before the end of that year.

“What we are doing with the 918 Spyder is redefining driving fun, efficiency and performance,” said Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board Research and Development of Porsche AG.

With their camouflage harking back to historical Porsche 917 racing cars, the prototypes signal the final touches to the 918 Spyder. The focus is on the integration of the highly sophisticated individual drive components. The combination of a combustion engine and two independent electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels – poses completely new demands on the development of the operating strategies. “They are therefore a critical component in this vehicle into which we have put all of our expertise and capacity for innovation,” continued Hatz.

These operating strategies and the development of the software to go with them are one of the core competencies at Porsche. The two disciplines have a major influence on the extremely high level of driving enjoyment offered by the 918 Spyder and they deliver a unique combination of minimal fuel consumption and maximum performance. The initial results of the driving trials are in line with the high expectations placed on the 918 Spyder.

The super sports car is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors for extraordinary performance: on the one hand, the dynamics of a racing machine boasting more than 770 hp, on the other hand, fuel consumption in the region of three litres per 100 km.

As a technology showcase, the  918 Spyder breaks further new ground with spectacular solutions such as the full carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear axle steering and the upward-venting ‘top pipes’ exhaust system.

In the process, the 918 Spyder is offering a glimpse of what Porsche Intelligent Performance may be capable of in future.

Specifications of the Porsche 918 Spyder*

Mercedes-Benz UK is today celebrating yet another double win for both car and van at the Fleet World Honours – its fourth doubles win in a row!

The Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class has knocked the S-Class off the top spot to pick up Best Luxury Car, and the mighty Sprinter van has received the prestigious Safety Award; a Fleet World Honours award win every year since 2008 for the Sprinter. The trophies were presented at a special ceremony held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall on Wednesday 16^th May.

The CLS has the elegance and dynamism of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon and was the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to have frameless, all-aluminium doors, as well as being the first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance headlamps as standard (for Sport models).

With more than a dozen driving assistance systems including Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, which is now linked to ESP for first time, the CLS-Class builds on the pioneering four-door coupé design of its predecessor, while forging an entirely new identity.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles follow the philosophy that there is no such thing as too much safety. The Sprinter van has always led the way in this field, and was one of the first vans in the UK market to be fitted with ESP electronic stability control and a front bulkhead as standard.
With new additions like ADAPTIVE ESP®, an innovative driving dynamics control system which for the first time takes the load situation of the vehicle into account and combines the functions of the anti-lock braking system (ABS), acceleration skid control (ASR), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS) and the optional Start-off Assist system (AAS), the Sprinter is still one of the safest vans on the road today.

Commenting on the Best Luxury Car Award win, Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: “It may not be the most practical, but the brilliant CLS offers luxurious, stylish motoring thanks to its elegant lines and classy cabin. For those at the top end of the executive sector, or somebody looking for a luxurious limousine at a very competitive price, the CLS provides the answer.”

Van Fleet World Editor, John Kendall, said of the Sprinter: “Safety has been ingrained in the Mercedes-Benz culture for many more years than many of its rivals and that’s as true of its commercial vehicles as its cars. The Sprinter was the first van to be fitted with ESP and load-sensing ESP as standard, followed by the Vito, while this feature is still not standard on all rival models. And there’s a long list of safety options available with Mercedes-Benz vans from airbags to reversing cameras, tyre pressure monitoring, headlamps with cornering function and many more. Most of these features have been available for some time and it’s only recently that rivals have started to catch up.”

The Fleet World Honours are presented annually to those motor manufacturers, service companies and individuals who have, in the opinion of the judges, achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector.

The judging panel is chaired by Steve Moody, Editor of Fleet World, and includes John Kendall, Alex Grant and Ross Durkin from the Fleet World editorial team. Residual value, maintenance and reliability data is provided by ALD Automotive, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Lex Autolease, LeasePlan and Arval. Market value data is provided by EurotaxGlass and VIPDATA.

Nick Andrews, Head of Fleet at Mercedes-Benz UK, added: “To be crowned as Best Luxury Car at the Fleet World Honours for the previous three years was fantastic, but to be crowned again this year with another exceptional product in the CLS, is truly outstanding.”

Steve Bridge, Van Sales and Marketing Director at Mercedes-Benz UK, concluded: “It is recognition of the strength of the Sprinter to be collecting an award at the Fleet World Honours for four consecutive years. For the 2012 award to be a safety one is a fantastic acknowledgement of the innovations that the Sprinter has championed.”

Peugeot has served up a double with the announcement of two highly-specified ‘Roland Garros’ Special Edition Coupé Cabriolet cars.

Perfectly timed to be enjoyed for the Summer (while the ‘Roland Garros – The French Open’ is on) and equipped, should the weather turn wet, such that the roof can be deployed within seconds, so that play can continue.

The Roland Garros SEs are distinguished by their bespoke Black or White paintwork on both the popular 207 CC or 308 CC.

The 207 CC Roland Garros is available in either Onyx Black or Bianca White. There is a choice of either the 1.6-litre VTi 120 petrol or 1.6-litre HDi 112 diesel engine.

The enhanced specification represents a great package with£1,235 worth of features but for just £650 above the Allure trim level, representing an advantage of £585.

Key features over the 207 CC Allure include Roland Garros luxury trimmed leather seats, Roland Garros branded windstop and Roland Garros embroided carpet mats.

Other high-level distinguishing features include Aluminium door sills, 17” Melbourne alloy wheels, Bi-Zone air conditioning, an electrochrome rear view mirror, auto headlamps, cruise control and speed limiter, Peugeot Connect with Bluetooth, rear parking aid, electric folding door mirrors and tinted rear windows.

The 207 CC Roland Garros SE is now available to order priced from £18,795.

The larger 308 CC Roland Garros is also beautifully distinctive and with pearlescent paintwork inNera Black & Pearl White.  Powered with a wider choice of serves, it is available with the 1.6-litre THP 156 or THP 200 petrol, or the 2.0-litre HDi 163 diesel engines.  The specification delivered is again of high value, with £550 worth of features scoring just £300 from the regular Allure model, saving £250.

Key features over the regular Allure model includeRoland Garros Luxury Blue/ Grey leather seats, 18” Dark Storm alloy wheels (as GT Hatchback), Peugeot Connect with Bluetooth, front and rear parking aid, automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, Roland Garros embroidered carpet mats and a Roland Garros branded windstop.  The 308 CC Roland Garros is now available to order priced at £25,845.

An online brochure is viewable at; http://www.peugeot.co.uk/special-editions

All models carry the much sought-after Roland Garros exterior badging.

H&H Classics has consigned the 1963 Jaguar E-Type ‘Lightweight No.14’ for its upcoming private sale showcase at Motorexpo, Canary Wharf, June 11-17. This sensational-looking motorcar was recently assembled by Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC) of Bridgnorth and is to full ‘Works’ specification complete with genuine Jaguar aluminium monocoque (No.14 of 18) and powered by a period all-alloy, fuel-injected 3.8-litre XK engine mated to an original factory ZF gearbox. Of optimum specification and considerable historical significance, it is without question one of the most desirable E-Types to come to open market in recent years. And, with values of each of the 12 original Lightweight E-Types currently increasing year-on-year, ‘4 GXO’ represents potentially wonderful value for money.

Jaguar produced just 12 all-aluminium Lightweight E-type race cars in 1963, but among the related spares were a further six bodyshells, eight all-alloy engines and a number of ZF gearboxes. Bodyshell No.14 remained unused until acquired by marque specialist Lynx Motors during its mid-1970s restoration of the famous Peter Lindner car, which had been very badly damaged in his fatal accident at Montlhéry in 1964. Both the reincarnation and the original twisted shell then sat at the Rosso Bianco Museum until 2007, when they were acquired by CMC. Having decided the original structure was restorable after all, they duly stripped bodyshell No.14 of its components, leaving it free as the basis of another Lightweight.

The all-alloy engine was acquired from the Walter Hill Collection in the USA and the ZF gearbox from marque specialist Eagle E-Types. The remaining parts were primarily sourced from a 1963 Roadster, whose chassis number was only 10 removed from that of the Lindner car. The seats are original Lightweight E-Type items and the registration ‘4 GXO’ is just two digits different to that worn by one of the 12 original Lightweight cars (‘2 GXO’).

‘4 GXO’ was recently tested by renowned Jaguar authority and historian Paul Skilleter, who is happy to regard it as ‘Lightweight No.14’ and therefore truly representative of the iconic Works cars of 1963. Said H&H’s Marketing Manager, Richard Caton: “We are naturally thrilled to be able to offer this very exciting E-Type, which provides a unique opportunity for Jaguar collectors the world over.”

The all-new Volvo V40 has received a warm welcome from the fleet industry just as order books open. Leasing companies and future value guides who have already had detailed previews of the car are positive about Volvo’s new five-door hatchback with residual values, demand and desirability all predicted as being strong.

As Selwyn Cooper, National Corporate Operations Manager, Volvo Car UK, explains, it relies more and more on fleet feedback and advice in the final 6-12 months prior to launch. “It is the most important car Volvo has launched in the past 20 years and much of its design, specification and technology has been developed with the company motorist in mind,” he said.

“Fleets are now an integral part of our final development of a car before its launch to ensure prices, specification and positioning are all where they should be. This positive feedback from the industry is vital as our brand tries to improve its foothold in the corporate sector,” he added.

Andrew Mee, Senior Manager Pricing Risk, Lex Autolease said: “We believe the car will be a success, and our residual value forecasts are at a similar level to VW Golf, ahead of the current Audi A3 Sportback, and just behind the new BMW 1 Series.

“The V40 is an attractive model which provides an improved driving experience over any previous Volvo. The suspension offers control without feeling overly firm. Refinement levels are good, complemented by a high quality interior with the usual comfortable Volvo seats,” he added.

Highlights include Volvo’s pioneering low-speed collision avoidance system, City Safety, plus world-first pedestrian airbag technology, along with Bluetooth handsfree telephone system – fitted as standard on all specifications.

Denis Keenan, Managing Director KeeResources said: “The 1.6 D2 115hp engine with CO2 emissions of 94g/km has a strong Whole Life Cost argument. The V40 is a desirable car and with very low initial volumes, we predict RVs will exceed its direct competitors by some margin. Even when full volumes come on stream, this is a car that will maintain its position due to its desirability factor.

“What makes the car stand out, though, is its very individual looks and it is a fantastic drive, providing true Volvo comfort with an exceptional chassis. In our terms, it is the most compelling package currently available in the Premium Lower Medium Sector. Add in beautiful build quality, obvious in every aspect of the V40, and the car feels a full rung above the majority of its peers.”

Jim McNally, Head of Pricing at Alphabet (UK) Fleet Management said: “The new V40 is naturally going to compete with A3, 1 Series, new A-Class and Lexus CT. From an RV perspective we believe it will be pretty strong, certainly not far off A3 or BMW 1 Series. From the initial launch we see the D3 SE as the volume model in the fleet sector.”

CAP’s Monitor Editor Cars, Jeff Knight, said: “The sector is very competitive and for the first time Volvo has produced a car that aligns directly with other key rivals so we can make true comparisons between V40 and its competitors. It’s well built, modern and its residuals are on par with the current Audi A3 and the VW Golf.”

Dealers are already taking orders for the all-new Volvo V40, months before the first cars will arrive in the UK, while their showrooms will be open on the weekend of 21st/22nd July to showcase this important car to their customers.

Customer deliveries are expected to start in September.

Volkswagen is tuning in to customer demand and fitting DAB radios as standard on all models from the Polo to the Phaeton, giving buyers not only a wider choice of radio stations but also a higher quality of sound.

The change means all 2013 model-year Volkswagens, from the Polo to the Phaeton, will be ready for the UK’s switch to digital radio.  Digital radio not only offers listeners clear, crackle-free sound, but it also gives them a bigger choice of radio stations than is available through conventional FM or AM broadcasts alone.  Listening options range from specialist music stations to comedy, current affairs and, of course, the all-important cricket coverage.

Naturally, all of Volkswagen’s audio systems will still be able to pick up conventional FM or AM analogue radio signals, as well as play audio CDs (including MP3 files), while every model in the Volkswagen range comes with an aux-in socket, to allow the connection of external audio devices such as an iPod or MP3 player.

To make the most of the higher quality of digital audio, every model from the Polo S upwards now comes with at least six speakers (the majority of models have eight speakers), connected to a standard RCD 310 audio unit or better.

Upgrade options include the MDI multi-device interface, which allows easy connection of iPods or USB sticks, which can then be controlled via the car’s audio system; Bluetooth connection of compatible telephones; Bluetooth music playback; audiophile-pleasing speakers and amplifiers from Danish specialist Dynaudio; higher-power audio systems with colour touchscreen controls and an SD memory card slot; and touchscreen satellite navigation systems, including with built-in HD memory.  Beetle models may also be optionally ordered with an audio system developed in conjunction with legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturer, Fender.