Autoesque

Figures just published by the SMMT show that 1,029,638 cars were sold in the UK to the end of Q2 2011, a reduction of 7.1% compared to the same period last year. Despite the overall drop, the fleet sector remains fairly buoyant, with registrations up by 3.4% versus 2010. Combined fleet and business sales now account for just over 57% of the market. As a result of that mix, almost half of all cars sold so far this year have been diesels. In turn, the shift away from petrol power will have undoubtedly contributed to average new car CO2 emissions falling to 138.9 g/km during Q2 2011. That’s the first time ever that a figure of less than 140 g/km has been achieved. The ten most popular cars haven’t changed much since Q1 , with the league table once again headed by the Ford Fiesta and Focus. Whether it’s a situation that will continue in the longer term remains to be seen though, as reports suggest Ford is prepared to sacrifice its top seller position in order to be more profitable. ...

Following its Concept C maxi scooter that was unveiled at last year’s Milan bike show, BMW has now revealed the E-Scooter concept. And, as the ‘E’ in the title suggests, it’s electrically-powered. With any electric vehicle, a critical question is going to be how far it can travel between recharges. For the E-Scooter, BMW is aiming for a range of at least 60 miles (100 km) thanks to a high capacity battery. Recharge time from a fully discharged state will be about three hours. By comparison, existing electric scooters such as the Econogo Yogo can travel a maximum of 44 miles (70 km), although bikes with larger battery packs will manage more. The Brammo Enertia Plus motorcycle, for example, has a range of 80 miles (128 km). Given the urban environments in which the E-Scooter will predominantly be used, performance has also been an important design factor. Consequently, BMW’s target has been to match the acceleration of a 600 cc petrol-engined maxi scooter. An unconventional ...

Honda has announced that its new Vision 110 scooter, which replaces the Lead 110, will arrive in UK dealers this August. Priced at £1,800 on the road, it comes with a four-stroke fuel injected engine that manages to achieve a very impressive 140 mpg (2.0 l/100km). Being a twist-and-go scooter the Vision 110 should be easy to ride, even for novices. For enhanced manoeuvrability it only weighs 102 kg (224 lbs), while the seat height is a confidence-inspiring 760 mm (29.9 inches). Standard features include underseat storage, compartments in the leg shields and Honda’s linked Combined Braking System. An alarm, top box and high windscreen are all on the options list. Vision 110 buyers will be able to choose from Pearl Procyon Black, Candy Aluja Blue, Boss Grey Metallic, Candy Lucid Red or Pearl White paint finishes.

The Dainese D-air Racing motorcycle suit, which features an airbag system, has gone on sale in the UK. Designed to give extra protection to the shoulders, neck and upper chest, it has an internal sensor that detects when a slide or fall is happening. A signal is then sent to the airbag, which inflates within 30 milliseconds. A unique aspect of the D-air is that, unlike the Spidi DPS system for example, everything is wireless and so there’s no physical connection to the motorcycle. Alpinestars is known to be working on something similar, but for now it’s still in a development phase and not available commercially. With track days in mind, the Dainese suit also includes software that records telemetry data. Back in the pits, this can be downloaded to a laptop for analysis of the rider’s performance. Compatibility with Google Earth even means that racing lines can be displayed over a map of the circuit. As might be expected, such technology does not come cheap. UK prices start a...

Following the launch last month of the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy , it’s now the turn of Renault’s smaller models to get the limited edition treatment. The Twingo and Clio Renaultsport Silverstone GP, which are available to order now, have been created specially for the UK market. Both cars feature silver metallic paint, while the roof, mirror caps and 17” alloy wheels are all finished in black. They also get the Cup chassis, dark-tinted rear windows, black Renaultsport carpet mats, a pair of badges for the B-pillars and the Renaultsport Monitor which logs various performance parameters. Additionally, the Twingo’s specification includes a ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler and fog light surrounds, plus a stainless steel Renaultsport exhaust system. Exclusive to the Clio version are Renaultsport Recaro front seats, the TunePoint portable music player system and Bluetooth. Only fifty examples of each are to be produced, with the build number commemorated on a dashboard plaque. Fitti...

Fiat has decided to make the 500 TwinAir a model in its own right. The eponymous award winning two-cylinder engine continues to be available in other versions of the 500, but this latest move should help to raise the profile of this technologically advanced powertrain. Although the TwinAir motor only has a capacity of 875 cc, MultiAir valve gear plus a turbocharger result in a power output of 83 bhp (62 kW / 85 PS). That’s good enough for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 11 seconds and a top speed of 108 mph (173 km/h). Very respectable performance, but the TwinAir’s real forte is efficiency. Combined fuel consumption is an impressive 68.9 mpg (4.1 l/100km), while CO2 emissions are just 95 g/km. The new 500 TwinAir model is distinguished by matt black 15” alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, sports seats, a chrome exhaust and a burnished metal finish for the dashboard. Its price in the UK has been confirmed at £11,600 on the road. Alternatively, for an extra £1,100, Fiat is offering the...

Husqvarna has released the first images of its new naked street bike, which has been named the Nuda 900R. And it’s not a bad looking thing, with its angular quasi-supermoto styling and minimal bodywork. That seat looks very tall though, and not particularly comfortable. Husqvarna Nuda 900R. Scroll down for more images. Only a few technical specs have been revealed, but Husqvarna is saying that the 900’s engine - which is derived from the 798 cc parallel twin-cylinder unit used by parent company BMW in its F 800 range of bikes - will develop over 100 horsepower (around 74 kW) and more than 100 Nm (73 lb/ft) of torque. By comparison, the BMW F 800 models have outputs of 85 bhp (64 kW / 87 PS) and 86 Nm (63 lb/ft), so the increases seen in the Nuda 900R are in line with its extra capacity. With a dry weight of less than 175 kg (385 lbs) being promised the Husqvarna will also be slightly lighter, whereas the similarly naked BMW F 800 R tips the scales at 177 kg (390 lbs). The...

To celebrate its recent victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, Audi has created the R8 V8 Limited Edition. Based on the Coupé, just 100 will be produced and all are coming to the UK. Prices start at £93,935 for the manual transmission version, which is exactly £6,000 more than the standard model. So, is the Limited Edition worth the extra? Well, it gets a lot of extra kit as standard, but the answer is still a ‘maybe’. That additional specification includes 19” titanium finish alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone preparation with seat-belt microphones, a premium Bang and Olufsen audio system, the Audi Music Interface, satellite navigation, an interior light package and the Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension system. Plus, buyers will be able to choose from any of the normally optional metallic or pearl effect paint colours at no extra charge. Alternatively, they could go for a Titanium Metallic finish which is unique to the Limited Edition, although somewhat bizarrely it will c...

Toyota has unveiled the Etios Liva, its first ever hatchback for the Indian market. Aimed at younger buyers, the new arrival will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from Rs 3,99,000 to Rs 5,99,000 (ex-showroom in Delhi). Although based on the existing Etios Saloon , the hatchback’s 1,197 cc four-cylinder engine is smaller and marginally less powerful, producing 78 bhp (59 kW / 80 PS) and 104 Nm (76 lb/ft) of torque. Average fuel economy is better though, at 51.7 mpg (18.3 km/l / 5.5 l/100km). Visually the two cars are very similar, apart from their unique rear ends. Its body style means that the Etios Liva is less practical for luggage carrying, and boot space is down from the saloon’s 595 litres to 251 litres for the hatchback. Ground clearance is 170 mm, and there’s chip resistant paint on vulnerable underside areas. To appeal more to its target audience, the range-topping VX version gets a subtle aero kit made up of a roof spoiler, side skirts and bumper s...

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Brammo has commenced production in Hungary. The facility, located in Sàrvàr, is operated by Flextronics, a Singapore-based electronics manufacturing services company. Production capacity is 660 bikes per month, and will focus on the Enertia and Enertia Plus models for distribution in European, Asian and North American markets. Brian Wismann, Director of Product Development at Brammo, said: “This partnership [with Flextronics] gives Brammo the ability to scale production and access global markets and the benefit of strengthening its reputation as the builder of the world’s finest electric motorcycles.” With currently only a handful of dealers in the United States, the next big objective for the company will have to be the establishment of networks in other territories to sell its motorcycles. Otherwise it could be sitting on a lot of unsold stock after the Hungarian factory starts running at full volume... The Brammo Enertia has a range of just...

The Vauxhall Astra is already one of the neatest looking cars in its class, and now it’s among the most economical and environmentally friendly, too. With a revised 1.7 CDTi diesel engine, the latest Astra ecoFLEX joins a growing list of C-segment models that produce under 100 g/km of CO2. But while competitors from Volvo and the Volkswagen Group match the Astra on emissions, the Vauxhall boasts lower fuel consumption and a higher power output. On those last two measures, it even eclipses the Toyota Prius and Auris hybrids: Manufacturer Model Fuel Type CO2 Emissions Fuel Consumption Power Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTi ecoFLEX Diesel 99 g/km 76.3 mpg (3.7 l/100km) 128 bhp (95 kW / 130 PS) Audi A3 1.6 TDIe Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) Seat Leon 1.6 CR TDI Ecomotive Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS) Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline Diesel 99 g/km 74.3 mpg (3.8 l/100km) 103 bhp (77 k...

Casting a Camaro as the Autobot ‘Bumblebee’ in the Transformers movies has undoubtedly helped to raise the car’s profile. And now it’s back in ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’, the third film from the franchise. To mark the reappearance (or to cash in on it, maybe?), Chevrolet has announced the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe. Essentially a $3,000 package for the Camaro Coupe 2LT and 2SS, content comprises the RS appearance pack (includes 20” alloy wheels, HID headlights and unique taillights), Autobot Shield logos, black stripes and a high-wing rear spoiler. Naturally, the only body colour available is Rally Yellow, while the wheels are painted black. On the inside, there’s black leather upholstery with contrast yellow stitching, as well as more Autobot logos. If all of that isn’t enough, buyers can upgrade to 21” wheels and the dealer-fit Ground Effects Package with its front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser. In the US and Canada, orders for the Tran...

Undoubtedly aware that some aftermarket firms are doing fairly hideous things to its products, Bentley has taken an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach by launching Mulliner Styling Specification upgrades for the current Continental GT. Although the end result manages to be quite understated, it doesn’t come cheap… For instance, buyers will have to part with £7,540 for the Classic Pack. This comprises a front bumper splitter, lower intake grille strakes, side skirts and a rear diffuser, all of which are made from carbon fibre. But to get the full effect, Bentley is also offering a range of individual Mulliner options. There are yet more carbon fibre trinkets, in the shape of door mirror caps (at a shocking £2,241) and a rear spoiler that costs the same again. The curved wing vents, which sit just behind the front wheels, are constructed from dark chrome mesh with carbon fibre bezels. Priced at £4,762, they’re claimed to help heat diffusion, presumably from the brake...

BMW subsidiary Husqvarna has revealed its 2012 range of enduro bikes. All get black frames, silver Excel wheel rims and updated, more durable ‘in-mould’ graphics. Beyond that, the extent of any technical changes varies by model. The revised bikes will be available from this July, although prices have yet to be confirmed. WR125 Although the WR125 was comprehensively revamped for 2011, the 2012 version has received a few extra tweaks. These include a stronger, more rigid steering head and protection for the single-cylinder engine’s filter box. WR250 Apart from the cosmetic changes common across the range, Husqvarna hasn’t done anything else to the WR250 for 2012. WR300 It’s a similar story with the WR300, which still shares its chassis and suspension with the WR250. The carburettor-fed 293.1 cc engine - the largest capacity two-stroke in the Husqvarna line-up - also continues unchanged. TE250 The four-stroke TE250 gets heavily revised suspension, including a Kaya...

BMW has revealed the M3 CRT Saloon, which is essentially a four-door version of last year’s M3 GTS . The ‘CRT’ part of its name stands for Carbon Racing Technology, reflecting that carbon fibre reinforced plastic has been used for the bonnet, roof, front seats and rear spoiler. As a result, weight is down by about 45 kg (99 lbs) compared to the standard version, and the M3 CRT tips the scales at 1,580 kg (3,483 lbs). Power comes from the same 4.4 V8 that saw service in the GTS, coupled to the seven-speed M DCT double-clutch transmission. Thanks to 444 bhp (331 kW / 450 PS), 440 Nm (324 lb/ft) of torque and less mass to haul about, the M3 CRT will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in 4.4 seconds, 0.3 seconds quicker than a normal M3 Saloon equipped with the same gearbox. Top speed is 180 mph (290 km/h). Other distinguishing features include a titanium exhaust, two individual rear seats and 19” alloy wheels that come shod in 245/35 tyres up front and 265/30 section rubber ...