Daily Archives: June 14, 2012

Ford Focus ST First Drive review

June 14, 2012   simon

What is it?This is the third generation of the ST, Ford’s hot Focus, and probably the sportiest version we are going to see (an RS version currently looks unlikely, alas).

This version gets the most powerful ST engine so far – 247 bhp, providing a top speed of 154 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds. However, it is by no means the biggest at 2.0 litres and four cylinders, rather than the 2.5 litres and five cylinders of the previous generation. This one is more powerful and way more economical (CO2 output goes down from 225 g/km to 169 g/km, for a big tax saving), but enthusiasts may worry that it has lost the fabulous five-cylinder warble along with the dipsomaniac thirst.

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BMW launches first electric car showroom in London

June 14, 2012   simon

To tie in with the Olympics, BMW has opened its first showroom for electric cars in London’s Park Lane. It is exhibiting the i3 electric hatchback (a competitor for the Nissan Leaf) and the BMW i8, the £100,000 plug-in hybrid. We say “exhibiting” because the cars do not go on sale until the end of 2013.
However, BMW feels that with 160 electric BMWs and 40 electric Minis on the Olympic fleet, it is the right time to introduce the cars to the public.The i3 will have a range of approximately 100 miles and is expected to cost in the region of £30,000 – £35,000 after the £5,000 government subsidy. BMW is positioning it as an upmarket alternative to the Nissan Leaf and it certainly looks like a premium product, especially on the inside. BMW says the i3 on show is the concept vehicle, but the production car will be “80%-85%” the same.
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Ford 1.0 Ecoboost Engine of the Year

June 14, 2012   simon

The Engine of the Year award for 2012 has been given to the tiny three-cylinder Ford Ecoboost 1.0. We are not always big fans of awards – for example one very determined journalist ensured that the Vauxhall Insignia beat the Ford Fiesta to 2009 European Car of the Year, when it wasn’t even the best car in its class, let alone best car of the year. However, we would have to applaud this one.
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Saab to be reborn as electric vehicle manufacturer?

June 14, 2012   simon

A multinational joint venture has bought the assets of bankrupt Saab, and says Saab will become an electric vehicle manufacturer. The new company, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, (NEVS) is a consortium of National Modern Energy Holdings of China (the largest shareholder) plus Japanese and Swedish interests. The idea is to make an electric version of the 9-3 by 2014 in Saab’s Swedish factory. The technology will mostly be Japanese, but the main target market will be China.
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