ALL-NEW MAZDA2 DIESEL PRICES REVEALED

On sale in December, for delivery from March 2008, with Band B £35 road tax
Prices for the all-new Mazda2 diesel range of five-door hatchbacks, which will go on sale next March, have been confirmed and start from just £9,499 (on-the-road). Two equipment levels (TS and TS2) will be available each boasting the generous level of standard equipment already featured on the new Mazda2 petrol models.

New Mazda2 diesel models feature the same eye-catching, distinctive styling that is making the petrol models stand out from the small car segment crowd. Both models will be powered by a newly developed MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine.
This four‑cylinder power unit is similar to the engine of the outgoing model, but more fuel‑efficient and with reduced operating costs. It produces 68ps at 4,000rpm and maximum torque of 160Nm at a low 2,000rpm for quick responses to the throttle pedal. The precise-shifting five-speed manual transmission is fitted with special gear ratios to make the most of the diesel engine’s torque and ensure that this version of new Mazda2 is as much fun to drive as the petrol models.

The Mazda2 range starts with the TS model – rather than a more basic ‘S’ model – priced at £9,499 and a £1,500 step-up to £10,999 buys the TS2 model, complete with alloy wheels and air-conditioning. The range-topping Sport derivative is reserved for the petrol line-up.
Standard equipment on the Mazda2 1.4D TS includes: 15-inch steel wheels, ABS with Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution, driver and passenger front airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, electric adjustable door mirrors, driver seat height adjust, CD radio with auxiliary jack and two speakers, multi‑function glovebox with magazine rack and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

The new Mazda2 1.4D TS2 model has 11 additional equipment items including: 15-inch alloy wheels, side and curtain airbags, body coloured electric, heated folding door mirrors, body coloured door handles, two additional audio speakers (total four), 60/40 split rear seats, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather steering wheel and gear knob and manual air-conditioning.
Each trim level of Mazda2 diesel is so well equipped that the options list is remarkably short, just metallic or mica paint (£350) and manual air-conditioning for the TS model (£500). Customers ordering a diesel Mazda2 can choose between the same nine exterior colours as offered with the petrol model and two interior colours – Charcoal Black (TS) or Black (TS2) upholstery. Remarkable fuel Economy with reduced Emissions Thanks to its lightweight construction, sophisticated aerodynamics and high torque figure (160Nm compared to the 1.3-litre petrol model’s 122Nm), the new Mazda2 diesel combines lively performance with remarkable fuel economy.

With the diesel engine, Mazda2 accelerates from 0-to-62mph in 15.5 seconds and has a top speed of 101mph. Fuel economy on the combined cycle is a remarkable 65.7mpg, giving a realistic range of almost 600 miles on a single 42.8-litre tank. The engine is Euro 4 compliant and places this Mazda duo in road fund licence band B so an owner will pay just £35 annual road tax.

HOW TO AVOID BEING RIPPED-OFF ON VEHICLE SERVICE OR REPAIR

Complaints about garage repairs and servicing are nearly top of the Trading Standards Office hit list. Overcharging, replacing parts not required and charging for parts not fitted is not uncommon.

Knowing how to avoid a garage rip-off, pass an MOT first time or knowing how to check a vehicle part is actually faulty before it is replaced can avoid a small fortune on unnecessary repair bills.

Mail order specialist, Car Parts Direct provides information on its website to help motorists avoid a garage rip-off and pass an MOT first time. Online videos show how to check if a part is faulty before replacing – all the information is free.
Suggestions include making a scratch mark on the old parts that are supposed to be replaced so you know the parts have actually been changed – not just cleaned. At MOT time beware of using a garage that also carries out repairs - they may look for unnecessary work. Online videos show how to check for worn shock absorbers, brakes and other common failure parts.
Mark Cornwall from Car Parts Direct is well experienced in dealing with, what he refers to as ‘greedy and unscrupulous garages’. He claims his own vehicle was towed in to a franchised dealership following a recent breakdown. He was quoted a whacking £4,376 to repair his vehicle. He immediately had a second opinion and the vehicle was back on the road for £36.25. No parts were required – just a clean of electrical contacts.
Mark Cornwall said, “Trust your instincts, get quotes in writing before having any work carried out and use a garage or tradesman that is recommended. Recognising the honest mechanic from the rogue is not easy - it really is worth learning a little about car maintenance to avoid becoming a victim.”
With garage labour rates ranging from around £35 to over a £100 an hour another alternative is to carry out a service or repair yourself. According to Car Parts Direct more motorists now choose to buy their own car parts online and either carry out the repair or arrange for a garage or friend to do the work at a fixed price – making substantial savings on the cost of vehicle maintenance.

NISSAN’S WINTER WARMERS

Whether it’s coping with the credit crunch or the crunch of snow beneath your feet, Nissan has a range of deals to warm the cockles of your heart this winter.

First off is a handy 3 year servicing deal on all Note models for just £299, or if you prefer, a 0% finance deal with a 30% deposit. Both are available to customers for the next three months. The unconventional Note MPV offers the comfort and practicality of a C-segment car matched to the agility and easy driving qualities of a supermini. There are four trim levels: Visia, Acenta, Acenta R and Tekna, plus 88 PS 1.4 litre and 110 PS 1.6 litre petrol engines and an 86 PS 1.5 litre dCi turbo diesel to choose from.
The QASHQAI crossover has been exceeding all sales forecasts since its launch in March – production at the Sunderland plant was increased by 20% in June and by the end of November, 17,554 had found customers in the UK alone. Customers are being attracted to its combination of a strong, distinctive design which sits between a traditional hatchback style and a more robust, elevated SUV shape.
Now, models featuring the All-Mode four-wheel drive system, which ensures drive is transferred instantly to the wheels with most grip to provide enhanced security in the current slippery conditions, are available with 3 years 0 per cent finance with a 30 per cent deposit. There’s a choice of either a 140 PS 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 150 PS 2.0-litre diesel unit. Alternatively, you can choose a QASHQAI of your choice, including all two-wheel drive models, through Nissan’s own personal contract plan known as Preferences with a low rate finance of 5.9% APR.
If sure footed ability during the poorer weather conditions is what you want but need further storage / passenger space than the QASHQAI can offer then Nissan is also providing 3 years 0 per cent finance, with a 30% deposit, on the range topping 4x4 Aventura grades of the Pathfinder, Navara and X-TRAIL.
The low monthly payment scheme ‘Preferences’ is also available on the new X-TRAIL offering a low rate of 5.9 per cent APR over a choice of 2 or 3 years. And, the company will even throw in £1000 towards your deposit.

The elegant Micra hatchback has just undergone a revamp for 2008 with changes to the styling, additions to the equipment list and a new grade structure – adding even further to its value-for-money proposition. On top of that, between now and the end of March, customers can choose to buy the two Micra flagship models powered by the 110 PS 1.6-litre engine using a 3 years 0 per cent finance deal. The pocket ‘street racer’ Micra 160 SR offers sub-10 second acceleration to 62 mph, stiffer suspension and group 6 insurance, and is as handy about town as it is chuckable through corners. The Micra Active Luxury on the other hand is aimed at stylish, city-living small car buyers looking for a taste of contemporary luxury and prestige in their cars.
For those thinking ahead to warmer weather, there are also deals to be had on the elegant Micra C+C. Again, 0 per cent finance is offered over a 3 year period on all models with the exception of the entry level Visia grade. Prices start at £14,400 for the 1.6-litre Acenta rising to £15,645 for the range-topping 1.6-litre Active Luxury model.
The C+C’s folding hard top offers the option of fresh air for the hardy, and a snug, cosy cabin insulated against the elements for the rest of us. And even with the roof up, the thermally-insulated C-VIEW® glass panel means you can make the most of those classic crisp winter days. If the sun gets a little too bright then there’s always a retractable sunblind that can be pulled across.

New Year Resolution? Read the New Highway Code!

THE VERY best New Year resolution any driver can make is to buy, read and act on the 2007 revised edition of the Highway Code says road safety champion GEM Motoring Assist (GEM).GEM, formerly known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, is concerned that very few people revisit the Highway Code once they have passed their test. It says that the Code that has been around for more than 75 years and has made a great contribution to road safety but that driving conditions today are very different to even a few decades ago when many people using our roads today would have taken the test. David Williams, Chief Executive of GEM, said: “The new Code is essential reading for all road users whether they are pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders or drivers. It contains the very latest rules of the road and many of these are legal requirements.”In summary the new edition that was issued in September contains 29 more rules than before - it includes a new section on rules for users of powered wheelchairs and powered scooters; features a safety code for new drivers to help them through the very vulnerable first 12 months; it explains new legislation on vehicle emissions and smoking in vehicles that are used for work and outlines new road initiatives like home zones and quiet lanes active traffic management schemes.David said: “I am very pleased that much more emphasis has been placed throughout the Code on courtesy, attitude, awareness and consideration for other road users. These are points GEM has always emphasised and our 65,000 members have to agree to drive with care, courtesy and concentration.”Costing just £2.50 the revised Highway Code is available from bookshops or can be downloaded from the government web site with a link provided by GEM from its site at www.motoringassist.com that also provides more details of GEM’s work for road safety and the services it provides to road users.

Latest Bike News

NEW BIKES PLUS POWER AND TORQUE INJECTION FOR HYOSUNG
New 650 and 450 bikes and fuel injection upgrade for NEC Bike Show

New 650 and 450cc bikes, a new 125cc scooter and technical upgrades including fuel injection mean riders are set to take Hyosung just a little more seriously when the South Korean manufacturer debuts its new bikes at this year’s NEC International Motorcycle Show.

New GT650X
The star of the stand is likely to be the new Hyosung GT650X – a different and individual take on the street-fighter style with a completely new tubular frame and sharp styling. The engine is a development of Hyosung’s familiar 647cc 90 degree V-twin, with double overhead valves and four valves per cylinder. But with electronic fuel injection, power output is now 82bhp with improved fuel efficiency, more low speed torque (67Nm at 7,250rpm) and stronger performance. Vibration is minimised by counterbalancing and a new oil cooler aids performance and durability. The exhaust system is kept low and central for mass centralization.


New RX450SM

For the first time, Hyosung is bringing a single cylinder, 450cc bike to the range. The new RX450SM is unashamedly a supermotard-style bike, designed for serious fun, but it would also make a great city commuter bike. It was designed using Hyosung’s ‘form follows function’ philosophy; it has a simple, elegant line, yet looks very purposeful.

The engine is a liquid-cooled DOHC four valve single cylinder, with an aluminium silicon (Si) sleeve for more power and durability. The aluminium alloy comprises over 30 per cent Si and is the only alloy of its type currently in production. A PF die-cast piston is more durable and exhibits less thermal expansion than normal cast and applied steel (FE) pistons. Vibration is reduced by counter-balancing. Power output is 50bhp at 8,500rpm.

New SX125 scooter

Conceived as short-to-mid range urban transport, the new Hyosung SX125 scooter is compact and very easy to ride, but with 16 inch wheels and a quality finish, it can easily handle today’s rough roads and looks every bit a serious piece of machinery.

It is powered by the same 125cc engine found in the Hyosung MS3 introduced earlier this year. The single cylinder 124cc engine uses double overhead camshafts and four valves with water cooling. An electric starter and automatic CVT transmission make for easy riding, and the SX125 has been designed for comfort with little or no fatigue.

Hyosung 650s : All Hyosung 650 V-twin engines gain electronic fuel injection for more power and torque.


The GT650X, RX450SM and SX125 will arrive in 2008 with prices yet to be set.


Every model has a full two year warranty and one year’s roadside assistance.

There are currently 16 models in the fast-growing Hyosung range from 125cc to 650cc, including cruisers, sports and commuter bikes, supermotard and off-road, scooters and a road-legal quad. Prices range from £1,949 to £4,999.

Hyosung range is available at 88 dealers around the country and on-line at

www.hyosung.co.uk.

The Hyosung stand at this year’s Bike Show will be in Hall 1 from November 23 to December 2