Volkswagen has announced new engines for its iconic Beetle including a powerful flagship turbocharged petrol unit and the predicted best-seller, a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel.
The new Beetle went on limited sale in January but was only available with 1.2-litre 103bhp TSI and a 1.4 158 bhp turbo and supercharged engines. With the introduction of a top-powered petrol and a popular diesel, the range line-up is now complete.
Despite the news that the UK recession has deepened even further than expected with industry hit badly, plans for a manufacturing institute are steaming ahead, with Ford backing the scheme.
The High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute (HSSMI) is being launched by the Government at the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) in East London. By conducting industrial research, it aims to improve the efficiency of British manufacturers and suppliers by integrating state-of-the-art technologies from top academic organisations into volume manufacturing processes.
New road restrictions in place to help the London 2012 Olympics to flow smoothly have caused widespread confusion for drivers on their first days in use. Having started on Wednesday at 6am, a £130 fine is enforceable for drivers and cyclists that drive in the Games lanes, which are part of the 109-mile Olympic Route Network, where restrictions apply from 6am until midnight.
Following the recent demise of specialist sports carmaker TVR, classic car auctioneer Historics at Brooklands is predicting heightened interest in the British marque, ahead of its autumn sale featuring two TVRs. On sale for the first time in 40 years, 650 KTF was the twelfth Grantura off the production line, and is believed to be the third oldest surviving example of the model. An ideal period competition car, the Grantura is estimated to fetch bids in the region of £14,000 to £18,000.
If you’ve never quite made the cut for The X-Factor, here’s the next best thing: a contest to find the top in-car karaoke singer, aptly called the Caraoke Competition. The best entry, which is voted for by the public, wins a Fiat 500 car.
Car rental company Europcar is behind the challenge, and is encouraging the public to post their personal performances in their car on Facebook. The most entertaining performance, as voted by visitors to Europcar’s Facebook page, will win the popular city car.
