BMW 3 Series gets a face-lift

A series of updates is helping BMW raise the bar with its top-selling 3-Series – and it appears one is better than two. Even though the new 335i versions of the Coupé and Convertible models have lost one of their two turbos, the power stays exactly the same.

The revamp to the Coupé and Convertible comes a belated 18 months after the rest of the 3-Series range, but proves it’s worth the wait as it includes a subtle remoulding of the kidney grille and front bumper. Hypnotising LED rings around the headlamps, plus light bars at the rear, mark out the new models stand out in the dark for the old BMW 3 series in Cardiff. Whilst inside the cabin both now come complete with leather as standard across the range.
The new 3.0-litre cars still deliver an impressive 306bhp and 400Nm of torque, but the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic technology and more precise injection has enabled engineers to ditch the second turbo. Another added bonus is that emissions are cut to 196g/km and fuel economy is improved to 33.6mpg.

With the prices rising by around £1,000 when the cars go on sale on 20 March, the Coupé starts at £27,845 for the 320i SE, while the Convertible is set from £32,905 for the 320i… a nice hefty price tag but well worth it i say!

New Ford Focus

As Fords New Year’s resolution, Ford promises it will deliver best-in-class fuel economy and CO2 figures along with major improvements in ride and handling, quietness, quality, technology and above all safety. All the engineering and design work on the new Focus has been done in Europe and is the car to emerge first under the ‘One Ford’ strategy, meaning that form here on out Fords all around the world will be based on common platforms and establish fuel economy leadership with every new vehicle they introduce.

The new Fords face will be sportier and sleeker, with a lower silhouette but the car will boast extra room and attractive packages to boot, an all round winner. The interior has also been designed around the driver and the there will be a semi-automatic parallel parking system – Ever so useful for the everyday woman.

Amongst many other sexy features is the improvement to agility and noise, vibration and harshness – ever such a shame for the everyday woman. Lol, i can imagine it be a disappointment over a used Mazda 5. Essex ladies have become fans of the vibrations.

Peugeots Moovie

The Portuguese designer André Costa took another novel approach to ease of city parking and manoeuvring. His design Moovie features two huge hub-less side-wheels which are used for both driving and steering. Check out the pictures of this futuristic Peugeot’s concept car. Each wheel is independently driven by an electric motor, allowing the Moovie to rotate on its own axis and squeeze into the tightest parking spots. To increase stability, the two side-wheels are tilted inwards under a ten degree angle. Looks pretty plastic to me but i imagine it to be a qwerky ride, not the typical range of car they make but the test would be driving this Peugeot to Poole and back from Edinburgh, but still an interesting design….what happens when it rains though?

Hire Handy Help

Hiring the right people to help you move house should not be approached lightly. So many businesses hire poorly trained packers that when the goods arrive at their destination some have been severely damaged as the proper packing rules have not been met and unfortunately every time it’s the customer that are hurt the most.  I cannot drum into everyone enough that you should do your research first to prevent the likelihood of damaged goods. Can you afford to take that risk with un-known international removal companies? If they’re too cheap, be aware that they probably won’t be properly equipped with harnesses, protective covers and padding where needed… also don’t risk doing moving large items yourselves, you could really hurt yourself… i learnt that the hard way!

Peugeot has a baby ‘Coupe’

Peugeot has had a baby! The little baby coupe is already taking its first baby steps and learning to roar into the sports car market which boasts a Ferrari style at a high street price.

The new baby has a rakish bonnet; muscular rear haunches and sweeping back headlights and a ‘double-bubble’ roof, very puppy fat meets eight-pack Hulk.

The new small coupes being born don’t appear to have massive engines or huge price tags but are out to have fun, which is why the pint-sized kids are making a comeback.

With Peugeots strong competitors being the likes of the recently deceased Ford Puma, Peugeots new baby has picked up some familiar habits and borrowed styling cues from the Fiesta. This neat little hatch is dying to stretch its little legs around the big cities especially London. Ford can sit and stew in Peugeots oil till it too gives birth to a new baby coupe – then our eyes might shift, till then the Christening is coming up and i need to buy it a gift… some air fresheners and car mats i think!

Megane Vs Scirocco

I was asked the other day which car i preferred, the Renault Megane Coupe or the VW Scirocco? Everyone knows that i think the Scirocco is the most gorgeous car ever, but something stumped me from immediately throwing that one in the bag as the Renault Megane Coupe is also one sexy motor.

Renault knows the Scirocco is sexy so in a bid to steal the title they are trying the same trick with is Megane Coupe. Renault has the infamous reputation for producing a great diesel engine, so this model is the perfect competitor for the Scirocco. When looking at it the 130 horses the Megane has under its bonnet will look mediocre against the VW’s, however a much lower price tag and a toy box full of standard equipment and available extras count in the Megane’s favour.

So i was stuck in my quest to answer that question. I don’t have the ability to test drive either but after weighing up the odds and lots of deliberation i think I’m going to choose the Renault Megane for once as it has flair, looks, sexy features and a nippy engine to boot. The Scirocco has an extremely weighty price tag on its shoulders and comparing it to others vying for its stature, the chance is slim and competitors are fighting back. The Renault Megane is a beautiful car and i could probably afford that over the Scirocco. I have grown up with VW cars all my life, maybe it’s time to open my eyes to something new!

Mobile phone controlled car

It has just been released that scientists in Germany have developed an application that allows a car to be controlled by a mobile phone.

Of all the enviable things to come with the popular iPhone are the 65,000+ downloadable applications. The opportunities for the mobile phone seem endless and to me this application really takes the biscuit. The Freie University of Berlin developed the application for the iPhone, which can control a specially adapted vehicle. If a mobile phone can control a car it leaves you wondering just what else can it do? It would be interesting to see smaller dealerships like Mazda and Ford in Scotland create an iPhone application that lets their customers and let them preview the cars – zoom into certain features.

Could mobile phones completely take over the traditional advertising mediums altogether? Volkswagen is set to launch their new Mark VI Golf via an iPhone application – whatever next?!

Latest Euro NCAP Safety Test Results Released…

Euro NCAP have just released the latest set of results from their safety tests and quite a few cars managed to score the full five stars!

The brand new (and highly praised) Vauxhall Astra received a 5-star rating as did the new Mazda 3, BMW X1, the trendy Volkswagen Scirocco and the Peugeot 5008.

However…there was one vehicle which really failed to make the mark. The Toyota Urban Cruiser only managed to get 3-stars due to its poor adult occupant protection score.

Here is the full list of the 9 cars which all received top ratings from Euro NCAP:

BMW X1
Chevrolet Cruze
Citroen DS 3
Infiniti FX
Mazda 3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Vauxhall Astra
Peugeot 5008
Volkswagen Scirocco

Is it a rat? is it a mouse? … NO … its a Beetle!

I really wish people would stop decorating their cars like animals, they may have animal names but that doesn’t give people the right to cover it in fur, add some fake ears and parade around in it, it’s just weird. Even the wheels have hair. I have always had a thing about people in costumes and that goes with anything in a disguise, i once saw a BMW M series in Aberdeen dressed as a cat it had a tail, ears, whiskers and i freaked! Call me crazy, call me weird but there is something very un-natural about designing cars like animals and covering them with fur…chocolate is my only exception!

Scrappage Blunder…

The government organisation responsible for organising and implementing the Scrappage Scheme have revealed that there has been an error in the amount of orders they thought had been made.

This means that there are actually a lot more funds available than originally thought so more people can get a new car under the Scrappage Scheme.  The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills originally said that 260,000 orders had been made, however they have since revealed that some of the orders were counted twice.

After double checking the figures they realised that there is actually a lot more money left than first thought. Some experts were suggesting that the scheme would run out of funds shortly after Christmas, however it now seems likely that the scheme will continue until February 28th which is the cut off date.

So there’s some good news if you’re still after a new car under the Scrappage Scheme!