Monthly Archives: July 2012

Two new Toyota Prius models

July 08, 2012   simon

Toyota is adding two new models to the Prius – a plug-in hybrid version of the current hatchback and a seven seat MPV. The first plug-in hybrid was supplied to its celebrity owner earlier this week – His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco (it’s a good job our own Prince Philip doesn’t go by that title, don’t you think?). The headline figures are spectacular: 49 g/km of CO2 and 134.5 mpg, with a battery range of 15.5 miles. However, potential buyers should be warned that those figures are the result of the vagaries of the EU test cycle. Unless you can recharge the car from the mains every 30 miles, your fuel consumption and CO2 figures are likely to be around half the official ones. The price is £27,895.
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VW to take full control of Porsche

July 06, 2012   simon

The most convoluted saga in car industry history is due to end this August when VW will buy the 50.1% of Porsche’s parent company that it does not already own. This ends a battle that started in 2005, when Porsche, bizarrely, started buying into VW and then tried to swallow its vastly bigger German neighbour. Think of those wildlife films where a snake swallows a deer, but substitute an elephant for the deer, and you get the idea of the difference in scale.
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Take a tour of Williams F1 – for charity

July 06, 2012   simon

Williams F1 is offering members of the public a one-day opportunity to tour its facilities on 21 October, with half the proceeds going to charity. Part of National Motorsports Week, guests will be given an exclusive viewing of the Williams Grand Prix Collection, the largest of its kind in the world, as well as a detailed tour of the factory including the machine shop, race bays and other engineering facilities.Other highlights of the tour include a video link welcome from Sir Frank Williams, a Q&A session with Mike Coughlan, Technical Director, and a virtual tour from the Williams F1 team conference centre. All guests will also be given the opportunity to enter a raffle, with a chance of winning a full hospitality package for two people at a Williams F1 conference centre race day.
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Damon Hill wants 55 mph limit

July 06, 2012   simon

The ex-Formula One world champion has caused controversy by saying he is opposed to the proposal to increase the motorway speed limit to 80 mph, and instead wants it brought down to 55 mph. In an interview with the Radio Times, Damon Hill said “I am a big fan of the 55mph speed limit. Most people aren’t safe to drive over 55.”
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Go wild in a Land Rover

July 05, 2012   simon

OK, most Land Rovers spend most of their time on tarmac, but they can still do amazing things in the rough stuff. If you want to put that assertion to the test, you could do worse than go to the Eastnor Land Rover Show on 25/26 August at Eastnor Castle, about 20 miles from Gloucester.
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