Monthly Archives: May 2012

New Chrysler 300C released

May 02, 2012   Ian

The new Chrysler 300C goes on sale today, with prices from £35,995. It looks the same as the 300C launched in 2005, but this is a new model. From launch it will be diesel-only, which shows just how far petrol sales have faded for big saloons in the UK – even the Americans have noticed. The 3.0 litre engine provides 296 bhp and fuel economy of 39.8 mpg. CO2 emissions are a less-than-terrible 185 g/km, but that will be a problem for companies that only choose cars under the crucial 160 g/km tax break.
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Kia K9 luxury saloon

May 02, 2012   Ian

It probably won’t come to the UK (and certainly not with that name), but Kia has launched a 3.8 litre V6, rear drive saloon. The K9 (we are going to restrain ourselves and leave the pet-based puns to you) is the new Kia flagship, and is a long way upmarket from the current UK range-topping saloon, the Optima. The design is what we have come to expect from Kia. Design supremo Peter Schreyer is ex-Audi and it shows. Modern Kias are remarkably calm, confident designs, with none of the little fripperies Korean cars used to feature in a vain attempt to look upmarket.
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Accessory Belts What Are They and Who Needs Them

May 02, 2012   JD Durham

Accessory belts is the new term for what use to be called “fan belts”. These are the reinforced rubber belts that drive all the components on the engine like the Alternator, Air Conditioning Compressor, Power Steering Pump, Water Pump, Supercharger, and so forth.

Their function is to keep the components rotating smoothly and efficiently by gripping their respective pulleys with enough force to maintain a smooth rotation. When this smooth rotation is not happening like on an alternator, the alternator starts introducing high frequency voltage spikes into the electrical system. These voltage spikes if they become severe enough can cause driveability problems including false check engine lights, vehicles in ‘limp in mode’ and more. It could also confuse the PCM through uncontrolled changing load factors.

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Honda doubles output at Swindon for new models

May 01, 2012   Ian

The first of 500 new employees have started work at Swindon, as Honda plans to double UK production in 2012. Honda has added a second shift in order to take British production up to 180,000 per year with 3,500 workers. Last year Honda decided that the only way to deal with the high value of the Japanese yen was to increase production outside Japan. The UK is Honda’s main European production centre, and so will take more responsibility for meeting overall European demand.
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Audi unveils fastest TT ever – the RS Plus

May 01, 2012   Ian

Audi has announced the fastest TT version ever- thanks to 355bhp and the raising of the electronic speed limiter. Top speed is now 174 mph, up from the 155 mph of most fast Audis, BMWs and Mercedes. 0-62mph takes 4.1 seconds with the twin-clutch automatic, or 4.3 seconds with the manual gearbox. Roadster versions have the same top speed but take 0.1 seconds longer to 62mph.
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