Currently viewing the category:
"Features"
The Buick Encore has been named as the most economical crossover vehicle in the United States, according to the company themselves. That’s quite a prestigious title to hold. In the city the car will use 25 MPG whereas in the city the vehicle will use 33 MPG on the motorway. Combined that figure reaches 28 MPG, a respectable figure.
The 1.4 litre turbocharged inline engine is able to produce 138 BHP and 148 lb/ft of torque. The vehicle will be offered in all wheel drive as well as front wheel drive. The Ford Escape and the Jeep Compass are sure to be taking notice since they have a major rival on their hands. General Motors stated that everyone will spend around $2,100 less on fuel bills across a period of five years. That’s quite a huge chunk of money.
They have based those figures on the average annual fuel cost being $420 per year. According to the company owning an Encore will cost around $1,900 per year which is the lowest of any 2013 crossover in the United States.
There is much more to the car than just being highly economical. There is a great deal of luxurious features within the vehicle, giving away that element of class. It’s practical too, there is a great deal of storage space and neat compartments. The Buick Encore has an easy to use navigation and entertainment system.
Jim Danahy, the Vehicle Chief Engineer said “Right from its inception, Encore was designed to offer customers the safety and comfort expected of any Buick, but with an added emphasis on space and fuel efficiency. We did things like specify one optimized wheel and tire package to ensure that every customer has the best driving experience possible.”Safety is also a big deal. The Encore comes with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, 10 air bags and plenty more. The safety factor is so huge on this vehicle that it is one of the best rated in the whole list of 2013 crossovers. The car’s release date has been penned in for the first quarter of next year. After hearing of today’s news the target market are surely highly anticipating the arrival of the Buick Encore. Running costs and fuel prices are high on all motorists’ agenda. The higher the fuel efficiency the more attractive the car will become.
The Vauxhall Astra VXR is superb vehicle with a great deal of style, power and aggression. The speedy hatchback segment is one of the most fiercely contested in the UK car market. So how will the VXR cope against rivals, who themselves are looking to make a huge impact this year.
Compared to rivals, many experts believe that the Vauxhall hot hatchback simply has not thrived as well as it should have this year. Many believe that the car’s rivals offer a drive that has a lot more fun. The car is extremely fast and stylish but owners will not drive the car just for the sake of having fun, according to some.
The Vauxhall Astra VXR has quite a high price tag, with the vehicle costing £26,995. That is quite an expensive price for such a vehicle but the car does come with a huge reputation. There many VXR fans out there who would be more than willing to pay such an amount.
That price also represents perhaps the cheapest of all possible choices. A downside if the expensive fuel bills on top of other running costs. Insurance costs are said to be quite high. Major rivals include the RenaultSport Megane, the Ford Focus ST and the Volkswagen Scirocco R.
All of these high powered hatchbacks have something special to offer. The Volkswagen Scirocco R is an upmarket type of hot hatchback, costing £5,000 plus more than the VXR.
The car combines a great deal of style, power and spectacular looks. There is a great deal of options available with the car being extremely versatile. It comes with a DSG twin clutch gearbox too. The car is certain to produce a great deal of fun for any owner. The Renaultsport Megane 265 is designed to deliver an almighty exciting driving experience.
The Cup chassis which comes as standards has been highlighted by a number of reviews. It could prove to be the decisive factor for many purchases. Out of all vehicles mentioned here, the Renault Megane is certainly the best and most fun to drive out of all of it’s rivals. The inside contains a great deal of room, making it a practical day to day car at the same time. In our opinion the RenaultSport Megane beats the Vauxhall VXR and the rest hands down.
Prices and specifications about the Chevrolet Aveo have released. The car, which is known as the Sonic elsewhere throughout the world come with a host of new features.
New engines
This includes a brand new set of engines. There will be four engines available in total. There is a wide choice of both diesel and petrol to suit almost every type of driver. Prices will range from £9,995 to £13,615 with every model coming with a great 5 year warranty.
Equipment
There is a lot of equipment included too. Air conditioning comes as standard along with cruise control. Remote locking and electrically adjustable door mirrors which are also heated add to list making every model generously equipped. As expected all models also come with remote locking for extra security and a standard CD-Stereo radio player.
LT models come with audio control placed on the steering wheel and 15 inch alloy wheels. The driver’s seats are heavily adjustable with many too. A useful driver information centre is also installed along with Bluetooth connectivity which enables music streaming.
At the very top end, the LTZ comes with a leather steering wheel, six audio speakers, and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and front fog lamps.
Safety
The new Chevrolet Aveo also comes with strut front suspension to enhance the car’s suspension. An anti roll bar along with coil springs also come as standard. The cruise control is especially safe as it integrates a speed limiter alarm function.
Electronic stability control helps the car keep its balance during awkward moments. Six airbags are included and anti lock brakes to name just a few features.
| Model | Engine | Power | Transmission | C02 | Insurance Group | Price |
| LS | 1.2 petrol | 86 BHP | 5-speed manual | 111g/km | 5E T2 | £9,995 |
| LT | 1.2 petrol | 86 BHP | 5-speed manual | 111g/km | 5E T2 | £10,995 |
| LT | 1.3 VCDi | 75 BHP | 5-speed manual | 99g/km | 6E T2 | £12,345 |
| LT | 1.4 petrol | 100 BHP | 6-speed auto | 147g/km | 7E T2 | £12,375 |
| LT | 1.3 VCDi Eco | 95 BHP | 5-speed manual | 95g/km | 9E T2 | £12,795 |
| LTZ | 1.4 petrol | 100 BHP | 5-speed manual | 125g/km | 7E T2 | £12,195 |
| LTZ | 1.4 petrol | 100 BHP | 6-speed auto | 147g/km | 7E T2 | £13,195 |
| LTZ | 1.3 VCDi | 95 BHP | 6-speed manual | 108g/km | 10E T2 | £13,615 |
Just as Saab’s bankruptcy has been announced, General Motors confirm that they will cover warranties on selected Saab’s. This will come as great news to Saab owners whose car’s fall under the correct criteria to receive warranty cover (The warranty depends on the age of the car)
Certain owners covered only
Many owners of the newer and brand new Saab models were left worried that their warranty cover would not be fulfilled. The bankruptcy was a big hint along with a statement released by the company stating that they were suspending warranty coverage. Unfortunately their warranty may still not be covered.
Saab’s younger than February 2010 only
If Saab owners have purchased their vehicle before February 2010, when General Motors still owned the company before it was sold to Spyker, will offer warranty coverage to America and Canada.
Jim Cain – GM to honour commitments
Jim Cain, the Financial Communications Manager stated how General Motors will honour necessary warranty commitments. His exact words were “In the event that Saab cannot or will not fulfil its obligations to administer the warranty programs with its U.S. and Canadian dealers through Saab Cars North America or otherwise, GM will take necessary steps to ensure that remaining warranty obligations on Saab vehicles marketed by GM in the United States and Canada will be honoured.”
Disappointment
Saab owners who purchased their car before February 2010 will naturally feel disappointed, especially if something was to go wrong with their car. In what is bitter sweet news for Saab owners, some are certain to feel aggrieved.
No way back
It does seem that there is no way back for Saab after they filed for bankruptcy. The news has been a long time coming, despite glimpses of hope every so often. It’s unlikely that any company will attempt to clear Saab’s debts and revive its fortunes.
General Motors threatened
General Motors blocked Chinese investors saving the company. They were worried that Saab technology licenses would fall into the hands of rivals overseas and effectively felt threatened. The consequences of that have been drastic for the company.
It is a shame not only for the Swedish car manufacturer themselves but for the automotive industry. Saab was ever present throughout the 1990’s globally and were even competing with BMW at one point in offering sporty luxurious cars.
Want an amazing driving experience in a way that you haven’t experienced before?
The new Vauxhall panoramic windscreen adds a new a dimension to the way drivers look and observe the road ahead.
Unique look
It can be said that looking from the outside in, the windscreen looks a bit out of proportion. From inside the cabin however, those worries are completely put to one side as the spectacular view makes up for the unease within the exterior design.
Wonderful views
The panoramic windscreen may look odd as it extends all the way to the roof, meaning the driver and passengers receive the benefits of wonderful visual views from the car. It has been described by some sources as quite an extraordinary experience. Everyone within gets to enjoy the sunshine, looking at the stars or admire cloud patterns while the car is on the road, something which many other cars don’t offer.
When the sunshine proves a bit too much to deal with, blinds are able to utilised in order to lessen the obscurity of the view. It helps to create a different type of atmosphere within the car too. It’s very easily accessible too.
The layout of the driver and passengers with the Vauxhall panoramic roof over their heads resembles that of pilots in light aeroplanes, which in certain ways adds to the experience.
Previous success
This isn’t the first time that we have seen the Vauxhall panoramic windscreen. Around 18,000 of them were ordered on the previous generation of the Vauxhall Astra GTC. Perhaps more could be ordered with the new generation which went on sale in June.
The engineers of the windscreen, Russelsheim, were able to secure 11 patents for the unique product.
The Vauxhall GTC has five engines available with all of its variants. These include a 1.4 litre 100 BHP and a 1.6 turbo 180 BHP petrol versions. A 2.0 CDTI Common Rail turbo diesel engine that is able to produce an outstanding 165 BHP is also available within the line-up. A 110 BHP and 130 BHP version of the 1.7 CDTI Common Rail Turbo is also included within the range.
The car is fantastic, as mentioned in one of our previous articles named “A further in depth look at the Vauxhall Astra GTC” (LINK)
We are sure that the Vauxhall panoramic sunroof will add the car’s appeal even further.
The Dutch satellite navigation company TomTom have attempted to make up for a fall in demand for their devices.
TomTom and Vauxhall have agreed a deal whereby a tailor made satellite navigation systems will be installed into Vauxhall cars. The device will come as standard amongst certain models as a dealer fitted item.
Sales have naturally declined since more satellite navigation devices have been made available. Smart phones have various other software which offers the same type of service as the TomTom, making it obsolete to some extent. Other handheld satellite navigation devices have causes TomTom to fall from grace too.
Niels de Zwart, who works for ING as an analyst, believes the deal between Vauxhall and TomTom will be beneficial for the company’s growth. He said “the deal will serve to drive growth in TomTom’s automotive unite in 2012 and 2013″.
Giles Shirmpton, the Managing Director of TomTom Automotive, stated the importance of the deal and the relantionship between the Vauxhall and TomTom. He was quoted to have said “Opel and TomTom have been working closely together to offer Opel and Vauxhall drivers the full advantages of real time navigation services”.
“This is an important step in our relationship and I look forward to developing the opportunities this brings for both companies”.
The proposed satellite navigation system that will be installed into the Vauxhall vehicles will be a more sophisticated and advanced version, keeping up with the “Live” features. This means live services such as instant updates on traffic and dynamic routing depending on the traffic situation will be installed as an option. All live updates are utilised and updated through an online portal within the system. Typically, this type of service comes with a subscription fee.
The TomTom satellite navigation system is said to be made available with the Vauxhall Astra J, the Vauxhall Combo B, the Vauxhall Meriva B and the Vauxhall Insignia in December.
Some key features of the TomTom
- HD Traffic – real time traffic updates with dynamic routing
- Updated – The most up to date device available for traffic reports
- Voice recognition – The latest voice recognition capabilities
TomTom and Vauxhall appear to have struck a great deal which will is certain to be useful for many.
Vauxhall were one of the major manufacturers to make an appearance at the EcoVelocity event earlier last month.
Held between the 8th and the 11th in September at the Battersea Power Station, the whole event was described a Low Carbon Motorshow. The famous PowerStation in Battersea will host a variety of vehicles that are designed for the future.
Low carbon emissions and lower fuel costs is what car companies need to aim for. This is exactly the type of event where major brands are able to display their dedication into making the environment a safer place.
Vauxhall have one of the highest profile cars waiting for release, and it’s as green as you can get within its class. Visitors were allowed to test drive the new Ampera, with it leaving many good impressions. It will be the first E-Rev (Extended-range electric vehicle) in the UK. The car is able to drive 50 miles whilst emitting no C02. The lithium-ion battery is able to be fully charged within 4 hours. There will be an extra 310 miles to travel in the car without the need for the electric battery to be recharged or the need to refuel. In car technology makes this possible with the use of innovative technology.
Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX models were also on display at the EcoVelocity event. There were eight models in total on display, all of which can boast excellent emission credentials. As the vehicles emit less than 100g/km, owners are not liable to pay the Congestion charge.
The new Corsa 1.3 litre ecoFLEX on display at the event emits 94g/km and is able to achieve an outstanding 91.1 MPG depending on the drive cycle, more than ever before. The addition of start/stop technology amongst other features adds to its green credentials.
There was also the HydroGen4 concept, which is a fourth generation fuel cell vehicle. Water vapour will be released from the exhaust pipe rather than typical C02 emissions. This will be executed with combustion being replaced with electro-chemical reactions in order to power the electric drive mode.
Vauxhall’s appearance at the EcoVelocity event was certainly one of the main highlights. The company certainly didn’t do themselves any harm with their wonderful display of green cars. The direction of the company looks very bright, as the upcoming Ampera will prove.
