AutOh! Magazine Issue 01 by OhCo

AutOh!

NORTH EAST EDITION £3.50 where sold June 2013 issue 01

The North East’s own motor magazine

page 4

JD POWER page38 What’s Hot.page 20 Let’s page 24 Used page 34 CUSTOMER SURVEY New car diary Go Karting car special We test drive the Mercedes E-Class, Volvo V40, Lexus IS, Peugeot 208 GTi, Honda CRV, Toyota Yaris, Mazda MX5, Citroen DS3, Fiat 500, Renault Clio and Toyota Auris.

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27/05/2013 22:42

Stratstone quality with style

THE NEW VANQUISH THE ULTIMATE SPORTS GT £43,000 DEPOSIT AND £1,699 A MONTH

100 years of Aston Martin. 100 years of producing the most beautiful and desirable cars in the world. The new Vanquish is the car to lead into our second 100 years - a new flagship. With the most advanced engineering, the most beautiful design and the finest materials, Vanquish is the best Aston Martin ever. The most powerful production engine in Aston Martin history. 573 PS. 620 Nm of torque. 0-62mph in 4.1 secs. Vanquish has the greatest performance numbers ever reached in an Aston Martin - it’s not a Grand Tourer, it’s a Super Grand Tourer.

ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH

£43,000 Deposit

£1,699 a month

based on 24 months plus a final Payment

To view the benefits of Balanced Payment Plans, visit Stratstone.com finance section

CONTACT OUR QUALIFIED FINANCE SPECIALIST TODAY FOR A PERSONALISED QUOTATION STRATSTONE Stoneygate, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 4NJ 0844 556 4530

Stratstone.com FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE ASTON VANQUISH MPG (LITRES/100 KM): URBAN 13.2 (21.4). EXTRA URBAN 27.7 (10.2). COMBINED 19.6 (14.4). CO2 335 G/KM Offer applicable to business users and high net worth individuals. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them. Finance agreement for Aston Martin Vanquish registered from 01/01/13. This offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. Model shown for illustration purposes only. Test drive subject to applicant status and availability. Finance provided by Lombard North Central, RH1 1HP. Victoria (Bavaria) Ltd, Loxley House 2 Oakwood Court, Little Oak Drive, Annesley, Nottingham, NG15 0DR. All information related to fuel economy data shown was obtained from official manufacturer’s testing carried out in accordance with Directive 80/1268/EEC as amended by Regulation (EC) 692/2008. Such test data is helpful for comparative purposes but is not necessarily representative of what may be achieved when driving the vehicle in non-test conditions.

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27/05/2013 22:42

yle

WELCOME

Welcome to AutOh!, the North East’s own motoring magazine, distributed quarterly to 25,000 carefully chosen households across the region. Each issue brings you up to date with the latest cars from the leading motor manufacturers. We’ll give you some pointers as to when new cars are due to be launched, helping you avoid putting your hard earned cash into something that could be obsolete within months. We’ve got detailed road tests of new models as well as looking at the best used deals around from some hand-picked dealers. There’ll be latest news from your local main franchise dealers too.

Can you handle a 2.3 litre car? Well how about trying a 2.3 litre motorcycle? We drop in on a car show at stunning Auckland Castle Our next edition will give you heads-up on the next plate change in September. That will be followed by an autumn and Christmas special, before kicking off 2014 with another registration plate edition in January to get you ready for March 1st.

This month we hear from a local company that’s been launched to help you source the best deals to give you the most economical route into car ownership.

This is very much a launch edition to give you a serious taste of what the future holds for AutOh! magazine. You can expect competitions, petrolhead articles, exclusive road tests and special reader offers.

Think that Karting was for kids? Think again.

AutOh!....we’re motoring. Graham Courtney, Editor.

CONTENTS [11]

Vanquish breaks cover

07 Mercedes E-Class sharpens its act

08 Classics

at the Castle

11 New Lexus

IS ready to roll

13 Volvo

gets radical

17 Trendy Toyota 19 Mazda

hem. with Ltd, ance le in

04 Aston Martin

[26] All contents copyright ©2013 AutOh!. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, artwork, advertising or photographic material while in transmission or with the publisher or with their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print.

history lesson

20 What’s hot? 23 Citroen

Red in black and white

24 Let’s go Karting 26 Peugeot

Pocket rocket

28 CRV

is ABC with Honda

29 Fiat’s

city slicker

31 Renault’s

Va Va Voom returns

33 Auris

is electrifying

35 Used focus

on Formula One

36 On yer bike 38 News

JD Power survey

41 Sauce is sourcing

Publisher: Graham Courtney • autohmag@gmail.com • Tel 07746 013 275 Designer: Anton Heil • anton@curious12.co.uk • Tel 07974 735 197 Advertising: email autohmag@gmail.com or call 07746 013 275 and we’ll get back to you pronto. AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:42

A S T O N

M A R T I N

V A N Q U I S H

RUSH WITH HUSH

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27/05/2013 22:42

ROAD TEST

I should make an admission and come clean before I start this road test. I’m an Aston Martin fan.

In 1964 I was a little boy in short trousers when my uncle arrived outside our house. He was in his brand new DB5 with a 5-speed manual gearbox, black paintwork with a cream interior and red piping. Shortly afterwards, my parents took me to the cinema to see Goldfinger. I wasn’t interested in the bloke called Bond; I was waiting for the DB5 to appear. Fast forward to 2013 and we’ve just hired the new Skyfall film. Near the end, when the going gets tough for Jimbo, the cavalry arrives. Yep, a DB5. Back in 1964, my uncle’s DB5 cost him £4247 17s and 1d. I’ve just been driving an Aston Martin Vanquish which costs £189,995. Just like back in ’64, I’m smitten. It’s gorgeous in a butch sort of way. The Vanquish is one of those rare cars that manages to mix sporting aggression with long distance cruising and cosset the occupants regardless of the driving style or road conditions. Okay, it’s big, but not in a clumsy sort of way, The Vanquish is actually an easy car to punt around town or along country lanes. It’s most at home doing what it’s been bred for; some classic GT Grand Touring. There must surely be no better way to enjoy a blast to the Cote d’Azur than sitting behind the wheel of a Vanquish.

As you would expect, the performance figures are staggering. The engine is a V12 5.9 litre powerhouse. 0-62 takes 4.1 seconds; the top speed is 183mph. The exhaust note is worth every penny of the purchase price. Handling is way beyond the limit of anyone this side of Lewis Hamilton and, if you really must know, fuel consumption is 19.6mpg but, as my uncle would have told you, if you can afford to buy it, you can afford to run it. Every body panel is carbon fibre which provides strength but keeps weight to a minimum. The interior is a work of art and features everything that you’d expect, plus some surprises like the ‘haptic feedback’ glass button console which senses your finger. Aston also reckons that the interior has over one million stitches used on the material throughout the cabin. Blimey. Who’s counting? But, once you get past all of the figures, the design cues, the luxury and the DNA that oozes from every one of those million stitches, you end up with a piece of typically British craftsmanship that has been brought bang up to date. It is a stunning visual and mechanical marvel that is a joy to drive and a joy to be seen in. When it comes to creating a sense of feeling that you’ve ‘arrived’, as Carly Simon sang in The Spy Who Loved Me, “Nobody does it better”. No wonder that’s why Aston Martin calls this the ultimate GT

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:42

Sharp. The new E-Class AVAILABLE FROM

£299

PER MONTH*

Book a test drive for a chance to WIN an experience money can’t buy.^

Representative Example E 220 CDI Saloon SE Auto Metallic 36 Monthly payments* On the road price

£299 £30,337.00

Customer deposit

£2,999.00

Retailer Deposit Contribution**

£2,270.00

Optional Purchase Payment† Acceptance fee Purchase Activation fee† Amount of credit Total deposit Total amount payable††

£16,950.00 £180.00 £95.00 £25,068.00 £5,269.00 £33,258.00

Representative APR

4.7%

Fixed Interest Rate

4.16%

CALL US TO ARRANGE YOUR TEST DRIVE OR VISIT WWW.NEWMERCEDES-BENZECLASS.CO.UK/299 Mercedes-Benz of Sunderland Hylton Grange, Wessington Way, Sunderland SR5 3HR Mercedes-Benz of Newcastle City West Business Park, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7DF

www.mercedes-benz-sytner.co.uk

0191 597 8227 0191 447 6481

Official government fuel consumption figures in mpg (litres per 100km) for the E-Class range: urban 20.3(13.9)-47.1(6.0), extra urban 36.2(7.8)67.3(4.2), combined 28.3(10.0)-57.6(4.9). CO2 emissions 234-128 g/km. Model shown for illustration purposes only. Finance campaign is available on above model ordered/credit approved before 30th June 2013. Credit provided subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Ltd, MK7 8ND. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. *Based on a Mercedes-Benz Agility agreement.Based on 10,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges may apply. **The Retailer contribution is towards the deposit and is only available with this finance offer. Pricescorrect as of print(May 2013). Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other published Retailer offer. ^Terms and conditions apply.

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27/05/2013 17/05/2013 22:42 13:35

ROAD TEST

Merc E-Class Gets Sharp

addition of the auto box, tipping the scales at £33,920. Crucially for business users, this E-Class dips into Road Tax band D, helping to reduce bills. Oh, and talking of bills, if you go easily, you won’t be too far away from 60mpg which, for a big car that is capable of a 0-60 time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed in excess of 140mph, is impressive.

Mercedes-Benz has become the master of morphing a new model from its predecessor. They don’t take a radical leap, they simply alter a few lines, tinker with a few design features, give the engine a bit of a tweak.

Take the latest, facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class for example. There are three models...SE, AMG Sport and E 63 AMG. The engine line up is made up of four diesel engines – the E220 CDI, E250 CDI, E300 BlueTEC HYBRID (all 2143cc in various states of tuning) E350 BlueTEC (3.0 litre V6), and three petrol - E200 and E250 (both 1.9 litre) and the stonking 557bhp 5.5 litre V8 E63. There’ll be an AMG-S later this year, boosting the power to 577bhp. The four-cylinder engine in the entrylevel E220 CDI comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard but we’d recommend the ultra-smooth sevenspeed automatic which suits the car perfectly....and it’s this car we’re testing here, the E220CDi SE but with the

, MK7 sit and is

013 13:35

But invariably, the new model is better than the last one; better to drive, improved performance and economy with a few additional gadgets. It’s a simple formula that has been successful for donkey’s years.

Mercedes-Benz has stuck with what they’re good at and maintained what the E-Class is renowned for....a comfortable, relaxed ride for all of the occupants while making the car sufficiently enjoyable for the driver. Everything, however, feels a bit sharper, more positive, more controlled. It looks sharper too. Don’t for a minute assume that this entrylevel car will be stripped of goodies. You get Bluetooth, 17inch alloys, start / stop function, parking sensors, LED headlights, climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, DAB radio, USB connection and a multi-function screen which includes navigation. This is a car for long distance cruising, going to the theatre; a car to be seen in. It has a hint of ‘the discerning driver’ about it. The new styling tweaks, including the 3-pointed star now sitting in the middle of the grille, have made the latest E Class more purposeful to look at but it is still one of THE most comfortable and effortless cars to drive and be driven in. The successful formula continues. AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:42

REVIEW

AUCKLAND CASTLE Italian And British Art Meets Spanish Master

It’s amazing how one incident can lead to an avalanche. That’s what’s happened at Auckland Castle in the heart of Bishop Auckland. Three years ago, the Church Commissioners announced that they were considering selling a series of paintings of Jacob and his twelve sons by Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán which have hung in the castle since the 17th Century. Philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer felt compelled to take action. He bought the castle and the paintings and put them into the care of the newly formed Auckland Castle Trust. Once the purchase was completed, the Trust was able to move ahead with its plans for the Castle, including an application for grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Photographs by Jade Turnbull

Since then, a whirlwind of activity has swept through the castle. The plan is to restore and refurbish Auckland Castle, which had been the home of the Bishops of Durham for over 900 years, into a major tourist attraction and heritage site attracting over 120,000 visitors a year.

Of course, that will take time but Auckland Castle is already open for new ideas and events. Recently, there was a stunning display of cherished cars including an Italian classic, the Ferrari Dino 246 GTS, and a typical piece of British auto

craftsmanship, a Morgan roadster, with the Castle providing a perfect backdrop for a feature in a brand new luxury lifestyle magazine called La Di Da. In the future, the Castle will become the setting for a national exhibition of religion in Britain, including both permanent and temporary exhibitions. It will tell the ‘Auckland Story’ of the Prince-Bishopric and also contain a permanent gallery of religious art. A range of activities and private events such as weddings will also be focussed on the Castle and its grounds. To stay up to date with developments at the Castle ot to enquire about events and weddings, visit their website at www.aucklandcastle.org or call 01388 743 750.

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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28/05/2013 12:09

When I visit the club it’s like a home from home. I have been asked to be attached to a number of clubs but Close House has something different, something special.

Lee Westwood

BOOK YOUR CORPORATE GOLF DAY AT CLOSE HOUSE AND PLAY THE WORLD’S ONLY LEE WESTWOOD GOLF COURSES Close House is an 18th century mansion house set in stunning Northumberland countryside, less than 8 miles from Newcastle and offering the region’s best golf courses. With the recent announcement of the opening of the world’s first Lee Westwood golf courses, now is the perfect time to visit us. Lee Westwood has been involved in the design and renovation of the two stunning 18 hole golf courses to further enhance their already enviable reputation. Less than a year after opening, the Lee Westwood Colt Course at Close House has already been awarded a top 100 golf course status in England. With Lee’s continued involvement as our Attached Tour Professional, 2013 promises to be an exciting season and there has never been a better time to join Close House as a member. As well as the challenges awaiting on the courses, our golfers also enjoy the state-of-the-art floodlit driving range and tuition from PGA Professionals, as well as the No.19 clubhouse and golf shop. Close House is the perfect member’s course and the ideal destination for a corporate, society or private golf day where you can indulge your guests. Find out for yourself why Lee Westwood chooses to play golf at Close House.

For further information contact the golf team on 01661 85 22 55 or email golf@closehouse.co.uk

CLOSE HOUSE HOTEL & GOLF, HEDDON ON THE WALL, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE15 0HT • WWW.CLOSEHOUSE.CO.UK

When travelling to Close House using a SAT NAV please use NE41 8BL

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27/05/2013 22:43

NEW LEXUS IS

AMAZING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Available to order now, deliveries from 12 July. To register for more information or be the first to test drive go to www.lexus.co.uk/amazing

LEXUS NEWCASTLE

0191 215 0404 www.newcastle.lexus.co.uk

Find out more at

Lexus Newcastle 22 Benton Road, Newcastle NE7 7EG New IS prices start from £26,495 OTR. Model shown is IS 300h F SPORT costing £34,105 including optional metallic paint at £610. Car shown not to UK specification. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

New IS Series Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 22.8 (12.4) – 64.2 (4.4), Extra Urban 38.7 (7.3) – 62.8 (4.5), Combined 30.7 (9.2) – 65.7 (4.3). CO2 Emissions 213 g/km – 99 g/km. AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 10

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ROAD TEST

NEW LEXUS IS READY TO ROLL A couple of months ago, we were lucky enough to go on the international launch of the new Lexus IS. It is due to arrive in the North East early next month although the order book is open. The cars we drove were pre-production models, but mechanically they were identical to the ones you will be driving. First and foremost, I love the new, sporty 4-door coupé design. It is instantly recognisable. You won’t mistake that front grille looming in the rearview mirror. The entry point to the new range is the SE, priced from £26,495 for the IS 250, representing only a minor price increase over the outgoing model. The IS 300h full hybrid starts at £29,495. Under the bonnet, the IS250 gets a 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine while the IS 300h gets a 4-cylinder 2.5 petrol engine mated to an electric motor which work in tandem. Lexus is being bullish about the IS 300h credentials. It dips under the 100g/km threshold, making it zero road tax rated. The official fuel return is just over 65mpg.

These are astonishing figures for a premium saloon which, Lexus reckons, is the cheapest car to run in its class. That means it’s ahead of something like the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. Lexus have done their sums and calculate that with its best-in-class car tax rating starting from just 11%, the IS300h will save business users up to £3,000 over 3 years when compared to the competition. Looks like it’s time to starting taking Lexus very seriously indeed whether you are a private or business driver. The beauty of a hybrid car like the IS 300h...and Lexus is an expert at producing ‘real world’ hybrids...is that you can choose your driving style. If you want to use all of the performance

(0-60 in just over 8 seconds; top speed 124mph) the car will dash down the motorway or hustle along country lanes, but of course your economy will suffer. However, if you go easily, let the hybrid engine work it’s magic, you will have perfectly decent progress and keep zooming past the petrol stations. It’s nice to have the option. The big saving is when you arrive in slow moving traffic or need to travel through town, which are traditionally the big mpg killers, there will be times when the electric motor does all of the work and you will use precisely zero fuel. And of course if you prefer the extra zip and sound of a meaty V6, you can go for the IS 250h. Something you won’t need to choose from is the options list. Okay, you can tailor the car to your own preferences, but every Lexus IS comes handsomely equipped with things like air con, Lexus display audio with DAB and Bluetooth connectivity, 8 airbags, smart entry and start system, cruise control etc. The IS has always been different. It’s a wonderful alternative to an increasingly boring mainstream.

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:43

NOW IS THE TIME TO CHOOSE THE ALL–NEW, AWARD–WINNING VOLVO V40. This stunning Volvo, one of the safest production cars on the road, can give you up to an amazing 78.5 miles per gallon. And this superb new Volvo can be yours from just £199 per month!

V40 D2 ES Initial Payment

35 Monthly Rentals

Mileage per Annum

£2,388.00*

£199 x35*

8,000 Miles

VOLVO CARS NORTH EAST Volvo Cars Newcastle

Volvo Cars Sunderland

Volvo Cars Stockton

Mill Harrogate

Scotswood Road, Newcastle NE15 6BZ

Wessington Way, Sunderland SR5 3HR

Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton TS18 3SG

St James Retail Park, Knaresborough HG5 8PY

www.millvolvo.co.uk

Tel: 0800 612 4715

The price is based on a V40 D2 ES FUEL CONSUMPTION IN MPG (L/100km) Urban 70.6/4.0, Extra Urban 83.1/3.4, Combined 78.5/3.6, CO2 94 g/km. Based on personal contract hire. All rentals and excess mileage rates are inclusive of VAT and are subject to vehicle availability, credit approval, manufacturer’s price changes, volume related bonus and purchase through Volvo Car Leasing Supplier Network. The payment terms are 12 month(s) in advance £2,388, followed by 35 monthly payments commencing in month 2 payable by Direct Debit, with a mileage of 8,000 miles per annum. Vehicle returned must be in good condition and within agreed mileage, otherwise further charges will be incurred. Excess Mileage 10.44p per mile. In the event of cancellation of an order, you will be liable for such costs to be confirmed to you in writing. All other terms and conditions are as per the Master Hire Agreement or Customer Agreement between yourselves and Volvo Car Leasing. Prices correct at the time of going to print, are subject to change without notice and do not take into account any variation to government taxes or charges arising after date of publication. Subject to availability at participating dealers for vehicles registered by 30/6/2013 or while stocks last. Not available with other promotions. Volvo Car Leasing Contract Hire is Provided by Lex Autolease Ltd, trading as Volvo Car Leasing, incorporated and registered in England with company number 1090741 & registered office at 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Car shown for illustration purposes only.

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ROAD TEST

VOLVO V40 D2 ES VOLVO GETS RADICAL For as long as anyone can remember, Volvo has played the safety card in more ways than one. Their cars are built with strength and safety in mind. They’ve also avoided being too radical, playing safely with style and function. Their estate cars typified sensible motoring. But things are changing at Volvo. Their XC models are amongst the best 4x4 and family SUVs around. The C70 is utterly handsome. The C30 hatchback is instantly recognisable, and they even refer to their V60 estate as a Sports Wagon. And now there’s the V40 which marks the start of a new generation of Volvos. They’re showing a serious intention to mix it in the seriously competitive small family hatchback market….and this V40 hits the bullseye.

The styling is terrific….a coupé estate with swoopy lines and a low stance that hark back to the 1800ES of the 1960s. You can choose from 3 diesel engines (D2 115bhp 4-cylinder, and a pair of 2.0 litre 5-cylinder units…D3 150bhp and D4 177bhp) and 4 petrol (T2 to T5, offering from 1.6 litre 120bhp to 2.5 litre, 5-cylinder 254bhp powerplants.) All of them are quiet and smooth. The 5-cylinder engines have a lovely grumble to them and sound really throaty. Power goes through the front wheels. The model which is proving the most popular on UK roads is the £20,345 entry level diesel V40 D2 ES. The 1.6 litre diesel engine produces astonishing figures of approaching 80mpg, 0-60 in just over 11 seconds, although it feels quicker, and a top speed of 118mph. This means, in the real world, you get a car which feels lively, has excellent cruising ability and treats filling stations with contempt. There’s also zero road tax thanks to the low emissions. This is a car that makes serious sense to both private

and business users. This wouldn’t be a Volvo if it didn’t have terrific safety credentials. City Safety will detect whether an impact is likely and automatically applies the brakes. Cameras will detect any pedestrians stepping into the path of the car and, again, apply the brakes. There is an external airbag that cushions a pedestrian if they are struck. In terms of standard equipment there’s Bluetooth, climate control, electric windows allround, a host of airbags and curtains, natty alloys, an excellent audio system which includes DAB, and steering wheel mounted controls. In other words, this might be the entry level vehicle, but there’s plenty of kit. The V40 is different. It stands out from the crowd and has got the competition worried. There have been a lot of changes at Volvo in recent years but if the V40 is the result of those changes, the future looks extremely bright for the company and for its supporters who buy their products.

“...a coupé estate with swoopy lines and a low stance that hark back to the 1800ES”

AT hly le. es ed &

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:43

Andersons of Durham operate two stores in the beautiful City of Durham, selling fine quality footwear, country clothing and accessories.

We also have a fine quality footwear store located in

Our flagship store ‘The Keep’ provides country style clothing

Our range includes Barker, Cheaney, Dubarry, Grenson,

and footwear, and is located in a Grade II listed building,

Hunter, Loake, Sebago and Trickers.

only a stone’s throw away from the historic Cathedral and

We understand that your country clothing and footwear

Castle.

needs to be of the highest quality, well-made and resilient.

Selling a wide range of top quality and stylish country

If you shop at Andersons of Durham we’ll make sure that

clothing, we stock well-known brands such as Barbour,

you’re purchasing the highest quality brands and that you

Dubarry, Aigle and Le Chemeau. We are also very excited

have something that is truly different and worth every

to be adding Hackett and Gant to our collections this

penny of your investment.

Spring/Summer. As one of the North East’s leading Country

Each piece is hand-selected by Sarah Anderson for their

Clothing retailers we stock the very best in outdoor

quality, style and durability as we constantly search for new

wear, along with top of the range Wellington boots and

brands and products to add to our range, only the finest

accessories.

will do!

Durham Indoor Market, established for over 30 years we have been supplying fine quality footwear to customers with the most discerning of tastes.

We hope to see you at one of our stores very soon.

style worth keeping facebook.com/AndersonsofDurham

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tel: 0191 384 9847

andersonsofdurham.com

@AndersonsDurham

27/05/2013 22:43

15% off mens shoes

g out 1. Eve n i n re 2. L e i s u 3. Of f ice

Whether you’ve got a wedding coming up or a big night out planned, we thought you would like 15% off your choice of shoes to give the finishing touches to your outfit! Use discount code SHOES15* at checkout on any orders placed fo shoes on our website. *Valid until June 14th. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other codes or offers.

Evening out

1 1

Barker Blake

We just love the Barker Blake! With its beautiful punch and stitch detail over the toe and rich Cedar Calf colour, you’re bound to impress on your evening out. Also available in Black Calf, the Barker Blake will suit any occasion, and you know what they say… you can always judge a man by his shoes.

Leisure

Sebago Endeavor’

The Sebago endeavour is a classic boat shoe which is spot on for summer styling. Genuine moccasin construction wraps the foot in a single piece of leather, creating a fit that’s uniquely your own.

Office

Barker Anton The Barker Anton is from the Barkerflex Collection giving it flexibility as well as durability. With long working days you need a pair of shoes to ensure you can keep up the pace, as well as looking the part, that’s why we think the Barker Anton is the perfect shoe for the office.

facebook.com/AndersonsofDurham

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tel: 0191 384 9847

andersonsofdurham.com

@AndersonsDurham

27/05/2013 22:43

YARIS Trend at Minories Durham

16" Alloy wheels Rear spoiler Chrome sills and wing mirrors LED rear lights

Minories Durham 30 Alma Place Durham Tel: 0191 370 6700 minoriesdurham.toyota.co.uk

Model shown is Yaris Trend 1.33 VVT-i 5 door manual £14,570. Offer excludes metallic paint extra £495. Prices correct at time of going to press. *0% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of Yaris Trend when ordered between 1 April and 30 June 2013 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services, Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5UZ before 30 September 2013 on a 3 year AccessToyota (PCP) plan with 0-26% deposit. ^Payment shown is based on a 3 year AccessToyota contract with £2,023.10 deposit and Guaranteed Future Value/Optional Final Payment. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Excess miles over 30,000 charged at 8p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. Affordable finance through AccessToyota. †1 year’s free comprehensive insurance offer is subject to purchase being made via Toyota Financial Services on a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) only and is available on all new Yaris models when ordered and financed between 1st April and 30th June 2013. Excludes Yaris Hybrid models. Vehicles must be registered by 30 September 2013. All drivers must be aged 21 years and over. Offer is limited to the insured plus up to four additional drivers. The insured and all drivers must have held a full UK driving licence for a minimum of 2 years and had no more than 1 fault claim in the last 3 years. Offer only available to customers with no more than 1 minor motoring conviction in the last 3 years. Standard Toyota Motor Insurance Terms & Conditions apply (available on request) - these will be confirmed in the policy document. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty subject to terms and conditions.

Yaris Trend 1.33 VVT-i 5 door manual. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 41.5 (6.8), Extra Urban 60.1 (4.7), Combined 51.4 (5.5). CO2 Emissions 127g/km. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results. These are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 16

27/05/2013 22:43

ROAD TEST

GETTING TRENDY WITH TOYOTA Toyota is a firm worth keeping a close eye on. The company is quietly refreshing its range of cars and coming out with some very tasty machinery like the GT86. The iQ continues to be one of the most funky cars on the road; the groundbreaking Prius that started the hybrid revolution is now available as a 7-seater, and the new RAV4 is up with the best compact 4x4s.

Even the ever-popular Toyota Yaris has been given a shot in the arm with the new special edition 5-door Trend.

DAB, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, CD player, touch-screen display) for an additional £650.

The Trend is only available with a 1.33 litre VVT-I petrol engine and is only available as a 5-door. You can choose from 4 colours (red, white, grey and silver) and there is the option of an automatic gearbox. Prices for the 6-speed manual start at £14,570. The auto box adds a grand.

This is the third generation of the Toyota Yaris. It gets better with every version. Its popularity speaks for itself. Few cars are so easy to punt around town. The steering is light and direct, and there’s a tight turning circle. The Yaris is also equally at home at higher speeds on the motorway. It might be a small hatchback, but it can easily keep pace with the bigger stuff. Mechanically, the Yaris is tried and tested; it will be utterly reliable. It should also be utterly safe because the Yaris has a 5-star safety rating from the NCAP boffins. Seven airbags, ABS brakes and stability control keep everything in check.

Every Trend model gets air con, height adjustment to both front seats, sports suspension, dark grey 16in alloys, privacy glass and a cracking 5yr 100,000 mile warranty. How’s that for confidence in your product. A neat styling touch is a darkened rear pillar which gives the impression that the roof is floating. Top speed is 108 mph; 0-60 takes 11.7 seconds and the all important fuel consumption is 51.4 mpg. Two options are available….a Pro+ pack (rear parking sensor and exterior trims) for £525 and / or the Touch and Go Multimedia Pack (rear view camera,

There’s also a Tardis effect to the Yaris…. small exterior, roomy interior. The split / fold rear seat helps with additional luggage space. The Toyota Yaris is a hugely likeable little car. It is a doddle to drive and painless to live with. The Trend version simply adds a bit of style and some desirable goodies to the mix.

s ng tor

5). d

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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DEFY CONVENTION

QUICK, THE SUN’S OUT THE M{ZD{ MX-5. TOPLESS IN 12 SECONDS.

ZERO DEPOSIT. 0% APR* REPRESENTATIVE.

M{zd{ MX-5 VENTURE From

£265 per month

Hodgson Mazda Newcastle

Hodgson Mazda Gateshead

Pentagon House, Bittern Close The Silverlink, Newcastle NE28 9ND 0843 208 0789

Holly House, The MetroCentre Gateshead NE16 3BL 0843 308 4815

includes a

£1,155 + £750 Mazda Finance Contribution

off the price

www.hodgsons-mazda.co.uk The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda MX-5 range: Urban 25.4 (11.1) - 28.8 (9.8). Extra Urban 45.6 (6.2) - 50.4 (5.6). Combined 35.3 (8.0) - 39.8 (7.1). CO2 emissions (g/km) 188 - 167. The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing, are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Retail sales only, subject to vehicle availability for vehicles registered between 01.04.13 and 30.06.13 at participating dealers. T&C apply. *0% finance available on all Mazda MX-5 models. Example shown: Mazda MX-5 1.8i Venture, £265 per month with Optional Final Payment of £5,873.50 is based on 9,000 miles per annum over 42 months on Mazda Personal Contract Purchase and includes dealer contribution. At the end of the agreement there are 3 options: (i) Renew: Part exchange the vehicle, where equity is available, (ii) Retain: Pay the Optional Final Payment to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. Further charges may be made subject to the condition of the vehicle. Finance subject to status, 18s or over. Guarantee/Indemnity may be required. Mazda Financial Services RH1 1SR. Model shown: Mazda MX-5 1.8i Venture, OTR from £18,145 including a £750 saving. Model shown features optional Mica paint (£500). OTR price includes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 months’ road fund licence, first registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European roadside assistance. Details correct at time of publication. Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive a commission from them for the introduction.

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27/05/2013 22/05/2013 22:43 14:10

ROAD TEST

“No wonder it’s the world’s biggest selling roadster…ever.”

History Repeating Itself. At the end of the 1980s, a little, seemingly insignificant car appeared. It was an attempt by a Japanese manufacturer to recreate a traditional British roadster. To do that, it needed to be sensibly priced, light, fun to drive, mechanically simple with good handling and rear wheel drive, and possess an uncluttered interior. It needed to mirror cars like the Triumph Spitfire and MG Midget.

Almost 25 years later and approaching one million produced, the Mazda MX-5 is still going strong and, as you can see here, it is still being refreshed, updated and improved. No wonder it’s the world’s biggest selling roadster…..ever. You still get the choice of having a rag top Roadster MX-5 or the more recently introduced metal folding roof Roadster Coupé MX-5. There are two engine options…both petrol…1.8 or 2.0 litre. Both promise mid to high 30s mpg. The 1.8 model hits 60 mph in a shade under 10 seconds. The 2.0 MX-5 manages the dash in under 8 seconds. Top speed is over 120mph. The recent upgrade to the MX-5 has seen a new front grille and tail. The brakes have been uprated to bring the MX-5 to a halt more quickly. There have been a couple of mechanical tweaks aimed at improving throttle response; the steering has been sharpened and the ride is improved. Mazda has also improved the exhaust note which sounds great, especially when you drop the roof. Thankfully, most things remain unchanged. The Mazda MX-5 has always

ple des e or es

013 14:10

That car was the Mazda MX-5.

been hugely entertaining to drive in a basic sort of way. The suspension allows you to have serious fun. This is without doubt one of the most engaging cars to drive currently available on the UK market. You really DO feel at one with the car….just you, the car and the open road. Brilliant. . If you wanted the ultimate in comfort, quiet, smooth transportation, you would not go for a car like this; you’d be in any other car across the Mazda range. You buy an MX-5 because you either want a ‘real’ sports car or it’s because you hanker for something that’s fun but not too radical. One thing that’s changed since the late 1980s is the price. Today, you will need to find from £18,495 for the Roadster and from £23,095 for the Roadster Coupé. All models get air con, a terrific audio system and side airbags. The entry level Coupé adds goodies like heated seats, Bose audio, sports suspension and front fog lights. Summer’s coming…with a bit of luck. Fancy some proper fresh-air motoring? You will not go wrong with a Mazda MX5. It’s now better than ever.

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COMING SOON

SOMETHING FOR THE DIARY, SIR?

2013 is shaping-up to be a cracking year for new cars. We’ve already had the Jaguar F-Type, new entry level Porsche Cayman, latest Golf and Peugeot GTis, and the fastest ever Audi A6, the new RS6, has just arrived. So, what else has the year got in store? AutOh! gives you a few suggestions to put in the diary.

1 Maserati Ghibli arrives September Here’s something to drag you out of your cosy BMW 5 Series or Audi A6. This Maserati finally broke cover in April at the Shanghai motorshow and, shock horror, you can get a diesel version. The penny has finally dropped at Maserati that if they want to sell a few cars, they’d better start giving people what they want. There’ll also be a pair of V6 petrol engines. All come with an 8-speed auto box. Prices are likely to start in the £50,000 bracket. Handsome isn’t it?

2 Range Rover Sport arrives late July The order book is now open. We know the model range and the engines…. SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic and a choice of three engines; TDV6 - 258hp, SDV6 - 292hp and 5.0-litre V8 petrol - 510hp. We also know the starting price - £51,550. They all come with leather upholstery, auto headlights and wipers, DAB radio, a power tailgate, intelligent stop-start, climate control, heated front seats, HD navigation and air suspension with automatic levelling. Form a queue here please.

3 VW Golf R Cabriolet arriving now Meet one of our favourites…the new Golf R Cabriolet, the first-ever open-top R model and the fastest-ever production open-top Golf. Power comes from a four-cylinder 2.0-litre 265 PS engine, connected to a standard six-speed DSG gearbox driving the front wheels. Top speed 155 mph, with 0-62 mph taking just 6.4 seconds. Prices start at £38,770. The ultimate driver’s car with wind in the hair, flies in the teeth enjoyment.

4 Infiniti Q50 arrives in the autumn Keep an eye on this one. Infiniti cars are a rarity in the North East because we don’t have an Infiniti dealer. Watch this space. A local dealer should appear before Christmas. The Q50 will be important because it replaces their entry level G Series model. Currently, their cars are powered by thumping V6 engines, but that is about to change. The Q50 will get a 4-cylinder unit and a diesel. Prices should start around £30K.

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COMING SOON

8 9

8 Bentley Flying Spur arrives in the autumn The previous Flying Spur was a bit lifeless in terms of handling. We don’t all have chauffeurs and sit in the back. The new model sorts that. It’s got better performance, can cope with being thrown around and has a new engine with delivers a 13per cent improvement in economy. It now rates as Bentley’s most powerful and fastest-ever 4-door car. You get 6 litres, 8 gears and 4-wheel drive for your £140,900. You also get 0-60 in a shade over 4 seconds; 0-100 in 9 seconds. Top speed is 200mph. Mighty impressive for such a big, heavy car.

9 Renault Zoe arriving now

5 Ferrari LaFerrari arrives autumn Got £1million spare? Here’s one way of getting rid of it. This is Ferrari’s replacement for the Enzo and is their latest shot in the war against McLaren. 499 cars will be built over the next two years and, here’s a surprise, there are still some available to order. Power comes from a mighty 6262cc V12 mated to a pair of electric motors which use the KERS system found in their F1 cars. Who’d have though it....a Ferrari hybrid. Performance is shattering; 0-60mph is under 3 seconds; 0-120 is around 7 seconds; 0-180 about 15 seconds. Top speed, says Ferrari, is over 217mph. In other words, LaFerrari is Maranello’s fastest-ever road car.

6 Alfa Romeo 4C arrives autumn Please tell me that this is the prettiest car you’ve ever seen. The Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition will cost £52,000. It will be a rare bit of metal; only 400 are being built for ALL of Europe. You can have it in red or white but they all have the same 1750cc turbocharged petrol engine with a 4.5-second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 155mph. Power goes to the rear wheels. Don’t be fooled by the photo; this is a pocket rocket, reminiscent of the Lotus Exige. It is slightly shorter, slightly wider but much lower than the Alfa Mito. Order books are open.

7 Audi A3 Saloon arrives in the autumn The BMW 3 Series is successful and of course that’s why Audi is launching this direct competitor. There will be 3 engines at launch...1.4 and 1.8 TFSi petrol and a 2.0 TDi. They’re all quick; even the 1.4 can reach 60mph in 8.4 seconds, hit 132mph, yet return 60mpg. All models get alloy wheels, air conditioning, digital radio, iPod connection, a Driver Information System, Bluetooth mobile phone interface with voice control and a multi-function steering wheel. There will be a rapid S3 version launched early 2014. No prices yet but they won’t be far away from the A3 hatch and Sportback.

Fancy an electrically powered car? Well, this could be one of the best so far. Costing £13,995 plus a £70 per month hire charge for the battery, it’s also sensibly priced. The Zoe’s underpinnings are the Renault Clio / Nissan Note floorpan. Here is the important figure. It will do 130 miles on a full charge (which takes 9 hours, although 80 % is achieved within less than an hour) but Renault admits that in cold, wintry weather, the battery performance will drop to about 60 miles in total. Top speed 84mph. 0-60 around 13 seconds. If you are a city driver, this could be worth a look. Could be a perfect 2nd-car too for going to the shop. And finally....want to know exactly what people really think of their cars? Turn to the NEWS section on page 38 of AutOh! and you’ll find out. The JD Power survey of customer satisfaction is one of the most important pieces of motoring research carried out on your behalf every year. It has just been released and there are some very surprising results. And we’ve got them. So, if you are thinking of buying a new or used car, this is the sort of information that could stop you from buying a potential nightmare. Chevrolet and Alfa Romeo fans might want to give our NEWS section a miss!!!

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland, SR5 3JN Just off the A19

0191 516 8822 www.towncentrecitroen.com

NEW CITROEN DS3 RED SPECIAL EDITION

FROM

ÂŁ199TH

N PER MO lect 4 on E

NEW CITROEN DS3 Cabriolet

0% FINANCE AVAILABLE COMPLIMENTARY SERVICING AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 22

3 years 0% finance with 30% deposit. Subject to status. Terms and Conditions apply to all offers.

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ROAD TEST

DS3RED

AVAILABLE IN ONLY WHITE OR BLACK Citroen dealers must be fed-up of people asking for the red one please. Well, they can’t have one. The latest special edition of the hugely successful Citroen DS3, the DS3 Red, only comes in Perla Nera Black or Polar White. Granted, there’s some red trim and a red roof on the outside and lots of red inside, but you’re stuck with a grand total of two colours for the main paint job. The alloy wheels match the colour of the main paintwork too. Joking aside, the DS3 Red looks really funky and follows the tried and tested method of giving a car a quick makeover and adding a load of extras as standard when compared to the original DS3 ‘donor’ models but increasing the price marginally (around £600 in this case). Prices start at £15,660. Four engines are on offer and there are two trim levels. The DS3 DStyle Red has the two lower power engines, kicking off with a 1.6 VTi 120bhp petrol version. An extra £195 gets you into the entry level 1.6 e-HDI 90bhp diesel. Both use a 5-speed gearbox. The more powerful 6-speed DS3 DSport Red range starts at £17,785 which gets you into the quick 1.6 155bhp THP, while a further £275 means you can stretch to

the 115bhp 1.6 diesel. This latter car is really impressive. It’ll get you to 60mph in a shade under 10 seconds, power on to 118mph but Citroen reckon the fuel consumption averages at almost 75mpg. Wow. DStyle Red models get goodies like Bluetooth, USB connectivity, cruise control, sports suspension and air conditioning. DSport Red models get all of that plus rear parking sensors, double chrome exhaust, leather steering wheel and a rear spoiler. The DS3 was an instant success and its influence has spread through the range so that there’s now a DS4 and DS5. There’s even a really cool DS3 Cabriolet which has a roof that concertinas down onto the boot lid. It slides along and

down, meaning you can operate the roof at speeds up to 75mph. You can halt the roof whenever you want allowing variable sunlight and fresh air. Neat. Whether you opt for the hatch or the cabriolet, you get a car that handles extremely well. There’s a real hint of quality and sturdiness about the car too. Citroen has moved on leaps and bounds in recent years; everything feels sturdy, well made, durable and, importantly, reliability standards are excellent. DS3 resale values are also strong. The DS3 marked the start of a revolution at Citroen. It’s one of the best hatchbacks around and special editions like the DS3 Red have extended that appeal. Just don’t ask for a red one.

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REVIEW

NEED AN EXCITEMENT OVERLOAD? GO KARTING.. or fire paintballs, or drive off-road We tend to get the odd adrenalin rush here at AutOh! Magazine. Rather than heading to the gym or the pub to work things off, we make a bee-line for Karting North East. With over 20 years of experience in motorised activities, Karting North East is one of the UK’s leading outdoor activity centres. It’s also one of the biggest. And don’t assume that karting is all they do. You can go paintballing, off-road driving, tomahawk throwing, archery… you name it they do it. Karting is the centre piece. This is serious karting too. The 1.2 kilometre circuit is fast and technical. The Championship Circuit is one of the most challenging in the country with fast straights and tight corners. You drive ‘proper’ karts too… there’s a fleet of 30, top of the range, 390cc Honda powered karts, providing an unforgettable experience. They’re fast, powerful, stick to the track like glue

and give you a massive sense of speed, mainly due to your backside being about one centimetre off the ground. This is the ideal place to either hone your racing skills or turn up with a group of mates or work colleagues and show them who really is the boss. The circuit can adapt to your party size to ensure close racing and even more jostling for position. They can cope with 30 people on the circuit at the same time. Wow. There are also night time floodlit races. This has to be one of THE corporate venues. In addition to the main circuits, North East Karting also provide a track for juniors, perfect for keeping them occupied while the parents go to race, or to hire for their own special parties. It’s not your standard kids track either. The Junior Circuit is 350 metres long, ideal for any budding F1 hopefuls. Don’t forget, this is how Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton started. Safety is paramount at Karting North

East. All customers are issued with full face helmets together with helmet liners, gloves and overalls. And don’t worry if it’s lashing down with rain, fully lined thermal wetsuits are available to all customers. Anyway, rain only makes the karting more challenging and more fun! Fancy something a lot different from karting? No problem. A couple of weeks ago, our graphics boffins who live in the dark, knocked seven bells out of each other on the purpose-built paintball facility. This is the largest paintball arena in the UK. The unique surface of rubber granules makes it safer, faster, cleaner and more enjoyable than traditional paintball. They’ve recently completed an off road driving course, specifically designed for their fleet of ex Army Land Rovers and they’ll soon have ready an Archery range and Tomahawk throwing facility. Yes folks, you too can throw an axe and pretend you’re an Indian chasing John Wayne! Here’s the best idea; go along and have a chat with the guys at Karting North East. They’ll give you all the gen.

Opening Times 09.00 - 22.00 Mon - Fri 09.00 - 20.00 weekends

Contact Details 0191 521 4050

Prices for karting Starting from £20 per session. Paintballing £5 per person

Directions. Just off the A690, 5 minutes from the A19, 15 minutes from the A1(M) Turn up the road opposite the Stratstone garage, continue to the ‘T junction, turn right and then right again after 200 yards. You can’t miss them.

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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Peugeot 208 GTi

ROAD TEST

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ROAD TEST

POCKET ROCKET

RETURNS A lot of folk reading this will hold one particular car in very fond memories. Depending on your age of course, I guarantee that the Peugeot 205 GTi will have been one of those cars that are forever etched into your memory should you have been lucky enough to drive one. There were two engines…1.6 and 1.9. I preferred the smaller one. It seemed to match the nature of the car. Even Peugeot would admit that its successors have lacked some of the fun and chuckability that the 205 possessed. Until now. With the brand new 208GTi, Peugeot has gone back to its roots. This is a car you want to take out on a Sunday morning for no other reason than it is just great to drive. Power comes from a 200bhp 1.6 litre turbocharged engine which drives the front wheels through a 6-speed gearbox. The steering is nicely

AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 27

weighted and the handling is like driving on rails.

Here’s the surprise. Too often, cars like this GTi are great for the driver because you are so involved with pointing it in the right direction and having fun, but your passengers have a shocking time because the ride is sometimes so firm that it makes their fillings shake. Thankfully, this Peugeot 208GTi manages to find the perfect middle ground. At slow town speeds when potholes and manhole covers tend to ruin the ride, this GTi copes remarkably well, yet when you start to get a move on and need plenty of control when cornering quickly, the ride stays pin sharp but never harsh. The half leather seats are supportive and comfortable too. It feels like a magician wearing a cape; leave home, saunter away from the busy traffic, spot the open road ahead, whip off the cape, bellow ‘Ta da’, floor the throttle and hurtle forwards like an Exocet. This is real grin-a-minute motoring and I have to admit that it’s the sort of fun I haven’t experienced for decades. Keep the revs up, let the turbo

continue to spin and this becomes one seriously quick car. The gearshift is slick too. And here’s the best bit. £18,895 is great value when compared to some of the competition because you don’t really need to dip into the options list unless you want heated seats or a sat nav. Everything else like DAB radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel mounted controls, air con, rear parking assist, auto headlights and wipers, electric windows and mirrors, twin exhaust pipes, touch screen etc., are all included. The interior is extremely classy with red highlighting to the upholstery and natty LED lights in the instrument binnacle. And the all important performance figures confirm that this is a hot hatch of the highest calibre. 0-62 takes 6.8 seconds, although it feels quicker. Top speed is 143mph. Resist the temptation to have fun and you‘ll get near 48mpg. Somehow, I don’t think you’ll resist very long. This is one of the best performance Peugeots I’ve ever driven.

27/05/2013 22:44

ROAD TEST

CRV, SUV, Easy As ABC I think the Honda CRV is one of the prettiest 4x4 SUVs on the market. It stands out from the crowd and looks stylish from every angle. It also has the huge benefit of being as easy to drive as any family saloon. The interior has the same sort of dimensions as a saloon plus a decent sized boot. It will also be achingly efficient, just like the rest of the Honda range. And of course, it’s British, built at Honda’s Swindon plant.

There are two engines on offer….2.0 i-VTEC and 2.2 litre -DTEC. If you buy your CRV and have little intention of veering off the tarmac, then you can opt for the two wheel drive model. If you need it to be sure footed in slippery weather or crossing a field or reversing a boat into a river, then the 4WD will keep you moving. There are also five levels of trim. Prices start at £21,505 for the petrol 2WD (you can’t get the diesel engine in the 2WD). Add £1100 and you can add 4WD. £24,710 sees you move into the diesel engine part of the CRV range. The diesel is the biggest seller, especially for business and high mileage users. It has the best economy with 50mpg; and it’s

also the quickest, reaching 62mph in 9.7 seconds and continuing to a top speed of 118mph. In the entry CRV 2.2 diesel S, you get air con, electric front windows; front, side and curtain airbags, and plenty of safety gadgets for those who are towing. The CRV is roomy and comfortable. If you want the space and practicality of an estate car but also like the driving position, safety and security of a 4x4, then you’ll love the Honda CRV.

PERSONAL CONTRACT PURCHASE REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE: CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC S 2WD IN OPTIONAL PASSION RED PEARL

Mums and dads. Mountain bikers. Dog lovers. It’s The Honda Way to

47 Monthly Payments (duration 48 months)

design our cars around the people

On The Road Price (cash price)

who drive them. So if you want to

Customer Deposit

find a car that’s completely right for

Total Amount of Credit

you, and the kids, and Fido, why not

Final Payment (inc. Option to Purchase Fee)

pay us a visit.

Option to Purchase Fee Credit Acceptance Fee Total Amount Payable Interest Rate per Annum (Fixed) Representative APR

£273.00 £22,005.00 £5,451.39 £16,553.61 £5,911.06 £65.00 £125.00 £24,193.45 4.38% 4.9%

Fuel consumption figures for the new CR-V range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 28.0 - 43.5 (10.1 - 6.5), Extra Urban 43.5 - 55.4 (6.5 - 5.1), Combined 36.7 - 50.4 (7.7 - 5.6). CO2 emissions: 180 - 149g/km.

New CR-V 4.9% APR Representative 4 years’ servicing for £399

DURHAM HONDA

Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham, County Durham DH1 5DQ 0191 3750500

AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 28

NEWCASTLE HONDA

Scotswood Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE4 7DF 0191 272 2881

SUNDERLAND HONDA Wessington Way, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR5 3NX 0191 516 0099

Part of the Vertu Honda www.vertu-honda.co.uk

Model shown: CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC S 2WD Manual in optional Passion Red Pearl at £22,005 On The Road. Terms and Conditions: New retail CR-V registrations from 2 April 2013 to 30 June 2013. Subject to model and colour availability. Offers applicable at participating dealers and are at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Honda Aspirations (PCP): Representative example based on annual mileage of 10,000. Excess mileage charge: 6p per mile. You do not have to pay the Final Payment if you return the car at the end of the agreement and you have paid all other amounts due, the vehicle is in good condition and has been serviced in accordance with the Honda service book and the maximum annual mileage of 10,000 has not been exceeded. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc. 470 London Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8QY. Servicing: Four years’ servicing or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, for £399 including VAT and includes a maximum of four manufacturer’s scheduled services.

27/05/2013 22:44

ROAD TEST

CITY SLICKER Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge The day that Fiat launched its 500 in May 2007, it knew it was onto a winner. Six years have passed and it still looks as fresh as a daisy. Clever marketing and a succession of limited edition models means the Fiat 500 hasn’t aged a bit and, quite rightly, it is still as popular as ever. The starting price of £9960 means it is also something of a bargain.

There are 4 levels of trim…Pop, Colour Therapy, Lounge and S. There are 3 engine options; 0.9 TwinAir, 1.2 petrol and a 1.3 MultiJet diesel. You can also get a couple of limited edition models called ByGucci and BiColour Our favourite is the 69 bhp 1.2 Lounge which comes in at £11,360. If you want ũber economy, go for the more expensive TwinAir or diesel, but the 1.2 gives you a mix of great economy ((58.9mpg) and performance (0-60 in 12.8 secs - top speed 100mph) which will keep you more than happy both

pootling around town or dashing down the motorway, and for a small car, it is remarkably refined. In the 1.2 Lounge you get stop / start technology, air con, audio system with MP3 player, sunroof and attractive 15inch alloy wheels. Fiat say the 500 Lounge is ‘As stylish as you are’. In other words, there’s something in the Fiat 500 range for everyone. It’s fun to drive, easy on the pocket, nicely kitted out and happy in the city or on the open road. No wonder it’s so popular.

DARE TO wear

Kate wears the Fiat 500 in playful

Idol Pink - one of 15 colours available. She nearly chose Chillout Purple but it clashed with her beanie. Comes with electric front windows, 16 inch alloy wheels and body coloured bumpers. There’s a low emissions TwinAir engine under the bonnet, so no road tax†. Dancing shoes, model’s own.

GMD FIAT, FINCHALE ROAD, ARNISON CENTRE, DURHAM, DH1 5RW. TEL: 01913 841925 WWW.GMDCARSALES.CO.UK Fiat, the car brand with the lowest average CO2 emissions in Europe^. Fiat 500 TwinAir, the lowest CO2 emission petrol car engine in the world*. Fuel consumption figures for Fiat 500 range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 64.2 (4.4); Extra Urban 65.7 (4.3) – 91.1 (3.1); Combined 58.9 (4.8) – 76.3 (3.7). CO2 emissions 113 – 90 g/km. †Under current DVLA regulations there is no charge for Vehicle Excise Duty in the first year of registration and every subsequent year. Vehicle Excise Duty rates are reviewed annually by the government and are subject to change. ^Source: JATO Dynamics. Based on volume-weighted average CO2 emissions (g/km) of the best selling brands in Europe, full year 2012. *According to NEDC standard.

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EVANS HALSHAW RENAULT DURHAM... BACK AT OUR SITE IN GILESGATE

TOUCHSCREEN TECHNOLOGY WITH INTEGRATED NAVIGATION EFFICIENT ENGINES UP TO 88.3MPG† DRIVE AWAY FROM £179 PER MONTH* Car shown is a New Clio Dynamique S MediaNav TCe 90 S&S from £199 per month

Evans Halshaw Renault Durham

Alma Place, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, County Durham DH1 2HN

0191 332 4600

evanshalshaw.com The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the new Clio core range are: Urban 40.4 (7)-78.5 (3.6); Extra Urban 60.1 (4.7)94.2 (3.0); Combined 51.4 (5.5)-88.3 (3.2). The official CO2 emissions for the range are 127-83g/km. Terms and exclusions apply. Warranty 100,000 miles, Service 48,000 miles. For finance, conditions apply. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply. Visit www.renault. co.uk/4plus for details. *Rental stated is for Renault Lease. Comparable payments are available on our personal contract purchase product – ask your dealer for details. If you choose Renault Lease then you will not own the car. When you have paid the final rental at the end of the contract, you can keep using the car and pay an annual rental equivalent to one monthly rental. Typical example: New Clio Dynamique MediaNav 1.2 16V 75, advance rental £1,500 inc VAT followed by 48 monthly rentals of £179 inc VAT, when opting to pay final rental of £4,542 inc VAT. Typical example: Car shown is a New Clio Dynamique S MediaNav TCe 90 S&S, advance rental £2,125 inc VAT followed by 48 monthly rentals of £199 inc VAT, when opting to pay final rental of £5,647 inc VAT. A finance facility fee of £149 will be payable with the advance rental. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands) to apply. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ. Available at participating dealers only. Not available in conjunction with any other schemes or finance offers, please check with your local dealer for information. Offers are available to retail and business customers (but exclude fleet customers with own terms), and are valid on new vehicles when ordered by 1 July 2013. Flame metallic paint an additional £535. †Based on official EU fuel consumption figures. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them.

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ROAD TEST

Va Va Voom Renault Clio 90TCe Eco

over 65mpg and get you into the all important zero road tax band. Have you ever driven a 3-cylinder car? As Ray Winston would say…”You’ll lev it.” The sound is brilliant and, when mated to a turbo, there’s instant power from low revs. You need to change your driving style slightly because these little engines will rev for England and you need to keep them on the boil, but they give the car a sense of sporty fun.

The original Renault Clio adverts featuring Nicole and Papa, were a massive success. In a 1996 survey, more people recognised Nicole than John Major and Chris Evans. Good.

Well, you can’t have failed to miss the new Renault Clio campaign and, yes, Va Va Voom is back. Nicole and Papa make a brief appearance, although the dancing girls are the best bet. This is the 4th generation of the Renault Clio and I reckon it’s the best looking. There have been some interesting changes to Renault’s approach to the supermini marketplace. For example, there’s no 3-door Clio and they’ve gone for smaller engines. The designers have been clever though ‘cos the rear door handle is concealed so, in profile, the new Clio looks like a 3-door with swoopy lines and a sloping roof. Neat. Don’t for a moment assume that smaller engines mean a reduction in performance / power etc. Nope. Take this 898cc 3-cylinder TCe 90 for example. It’s utterly outstanding. There are two versions of the TCe 90. There’s standard and Eco. The Eco gets longer gearing to make it more economical and easier on the emissions Oh, and talking of economy, the Eco model will get you

Bearing in mind that the 898ccs have got a lot on their plate, the performance is good. 0-60 dips under 12 seconds… top speed is 115mph. Price? The Dynamique Media Nav TCe 90 Eco comes in at £14,245 while the standard TCe 90 is a shade cheaper at £13,995 but don’t forget the Eco version is more economical and has zero road tax. Swings and roundabouts. The ride is supple but not too soft; in other words it handles well and soaks up the lumps and bumps. Renault has always placed safety high on the agenda and this model is no exception with a 5 star NCAP crash rating. There are diamond cut alloys, touch screen sat nav and a cracking sound system. All models come with stylish LED daytime running lights. There are two other engines available. There’s a 1.2 petrol and a super economical 1.5 diesel, but the 90TCe is the pick. It’s a while since Renault has launched a mainstream new car. It’s been well worth the wait. Plus, retail customers can take full advantage of a 4 year/100,000 mile warranty, 4 years FREE servicing and 4 years AA cover for total peace of mind motoring. AutOh! MAGAZINE

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ALL NEW

TOYOTA

AURIS

BETTER BELONGS TO THE CURIOUS Better. It’s a tricky thing to find, but it’s what we wanted to achieve when we designed the new Auris. That’s why it doesn’t just come with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, but a hybrid* one also. And with selected models available with 0% APR Representative*, we’re making better affordable too. If you’re curious to know more, contact Hodgson Toyota Gateshead and arrange a test drive.

0% APR

Representative*

Hodgson Toyota Gateshead Derwenthaugh Road, Gateshead Tel: 0843 2080779

Hodgson Toyota Newcastle Octagon House, Newcastle Upon Tyne Tel: 0843 2080792

www.hodgson.toyota.co.uk

5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty is subject to terms and conditions. *0% APR Representative available on selected models only excluding Active & Hybrid. 0% APR Representative available from no deposit ordered between 1 April 2013 and 30 June 2013 and registered and financed by 30 September 2013 through Toyota Financial Services, Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5UZ on a 3 year AccessToyota (PCP) plan. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Indemnities may be required. Terms and Conditions apply. Affordable finance through AccessToyota.

New Auris Range Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Urban 35.8 (7.9) - 76.3 (3.7), Extra Urban 56.5 (5.0) - 83.1 (3.4), Combined 46.3 (6.1) - 74.3 (3.8). CO2 Emissions 140g/km - 87g/km.

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posit ota (PCP)

ROAD TEST

Toyota have had a lot of great publicity lately in relation to the success of their Auris 1.8 Hybrid….but…it’s very easy to overlook the rest of what is an accomplished range. for a car of this size, especially when you compare it to similar sized vehicles. .

The Hybrid model relies on a 1.8 litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor, but the rest of the range is available with a mix of petrol and diesel powerplants proving that you don’t need batteries to be electrifyingly good. Internally, the Auris is extremely roomy and has a touch of serious quality about it. The guys at Burnaston in Derbyshire, where the Auris is built, do a cracking job. You can get the Auris in four levels of trim with prices starting at £13,995 which represents terrific value for money

The entry level Auris Active is available with the two smallest engines…1.33 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel. The 1.4D - 4D is a gem which rivals the sort of fuel return you get in the hybrid version. You get around 74.2 mpg but still have a decent turn of speed with 0-62 taking 12.5 seconds. Top speed levels out at 112mph. In comparison, the 1.33 petrol Auris has similar performance but slightly inferior economy. On the other hand, the entry level diesel Auris Active tips the scales at £15,345. You’ll need to do your sums to figure out whether the additional £1350 can be recouped via the superior fuel consumption. It’ll all depend on your driving style and how many miles you do per year. If you move up the Auris scale, the Auris Icon gets the addition of a 1.6 litre petrol engine and the 1.8 hybrid. The

1.6 is also available with an automatic gearbox. . In terms of equipment, the Icon for example, comes with air con, four electric windows, DAB audio system, rear parking camera and Toyota Touch multimeda with Bluetooth. Move up to the top of the range Excel and you can add bigger alloys (17inch), rear privacy glass, auto headlights and wipers, heated front seats, leather trim and park assist. In other words, the Auris is well kitted out. It also has a host of safety features including an airbag that protects the driver’s knees. Every Auris, irrespective of whether you choose the smallest engine in the Auris Active, or the most powerful (the hybrid) in the Excel, has similar characteristics. They are great to drive, supremely comfortable and grip and handle nicely. Passengers in the rear can get really relaxed because their seat back also reclines. The Auris will also be totally and utterly reliable. Toyota wouldn’t be able to give you a 5 year / 100,000 mile warranty if it wasn’t. So there you go. The Auris is keenly priced, roomy, reliable, economical, comfortable and good to drive. Not much else you could ask for really.

74.3 AutOh! MAGAZINE

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FORMULA ONE NUMBER 1 FOR SPORTS, EXECUTIVE AND LUXURY CARS

(NEWCASTLE) Est 1968

There’s exclusive, and there’s exclusive; here at FORMULA ONE we do both on Sales and Service

Formula One has a long history of working with and supplying Lotus cars. They are still officially appointed Lotus servicing agents and, of course, after working closely with Lotus for over 20 years, Formula One can continue to maintain your Lotus and give you extensive Lotus advice. The North East’s only CMD flash dealer (Superchip dealer) We service all makes & models. FOR NON TURBO PETROL CARS UP TO 10% MORE POWER AND ENHANCED THROTTLE RESPONSE

FOR TURBO CHARGED PETROL CARS UP TO 20% MORE POWER AND 25% MORE MID RANGE TORQUE

FOR TURBO DIESEL UP TO 30% MORE TORQUE AND MORE POWER WITH FUEL ECONOMY IMPROVEMENTS

Formula One

Albert Street, Newcastle upon Tyne (opp. New Northumbria University) T. 0191 261 0383 • 07720 355 355 • 07889 025 884 www.f1carsales.com

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SPOTLIGHT

AUTOH! MAGAZINE PUTS USED CARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT Formula One, Newcastle

As well as focussing on new cars from the region’s franchise dealers, we’ll also turn our attention to some of the best used cars around. In every edition, we’ll choose one of the North East’s top dealers and take a look inside their showroom to see what’s on offer. Previously owned cars are one area of the auto market where reputation is paramount. Make sure you go to a dealer that is recommended to you or who has a tradition for providing top quality cars….. and this especially applies when it comes to sports, prestige and executive cars. One such dealer with a reputation that’s second to none is Formula One in Newcastle. They are approaching their 50th birthday. Here we take a look at four contrasting cars currently at their showroom on Albert Street in Newcastle.

It comes in Rosso, of course, with a cream leather interior, of course. It also has full service history. Rather than give you the full list of equipment fitted to the car, all you really need to know is that this Ferrari is probably the best 430 Spider currently available in the UK. Low mileage, immaculate and religiously maintained, there’s only one word for it. Wow.

RANGE ROVER 4.4 TDV8 VOGUE £45,000 - 20,350 miles - 2011 (11) Ever driven a Range Rover? Well, you should ‘cos they’re fab. These are domineering, luxury powerhouses that provide go anywhere motoring and that includes long distance cruising, towing a horsebox across a field, reversing a boat into a lake or taking the family on holiday.

This one-owner example even has a rear entertainment system to keep folk happy. You get a stunning Logic 7 hi-fi system, heated front and rear seats, heated leather steering wheel, climate control for driver and passengers, 19” 10 spoke alloy wheels, rear view camera, DAB radio, navigation and hybrid TV system, park assist…the list is endless. In other words, this is one of the most highly equipped Range Rovers around.

PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4S 3.8 CABRIOLET £44,750 - 23,400 miles - 2008 (08)

The 911 is one of the most useable, true performance cars available. They’ll saunter around town or hurtle along the motorway. They’re comfortable, a cinch to drive and with a terrific reputation for reliability. This comes with an automatic gearbox, power hood, xenon headlights, automatic stability control, climate control, heated seats, leather upholstery, navigation system, park assist and a telephone. Importantly, it has full service history. 911s have an exhaust note of their own; they’re no longer tail happy; they’re a great investment and a painless car to own. Huge fun too.

FERRARI 430 SPIDER £77,950 - 12,400 miles - 2007 (07)

I suppose this is one of those cars where a picture really does paint a thousand words. The 430 Spider is one of the most beautiful convertibles ever produced by Ferrari. This particular model is a stunner.

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT COUPÉ 6.0 £29,950 - 61,000 miles - 2004 (54)

When it comes to serious executive motoring, it does not get any better than this. The success of the Bentley Continental GT Coupė lies in the two initials. GT. Grand Touring. It might seem like a term from a bygone age, but the Continental is the sort of car that is made for cruising down to the South of France. Okay, it’s also good for being seen in, but this Bentley comes alive on the open road. The example on display at Formula One comes with an automatic gearbox, a Tracker system, computer, cruise control, DVD, heated screen, heated seats, park assist, xenon headlamps, keyless start, navigation system, radio / CD multichanger, telephone and electrically adjustable front. It has full service history and even comes with a warranty included. If you enjoy luxurious, effortless driving surrounded by a typically British, wonderfully finished interior, then the Bentley Continental GT will be right up your tree-lined avenue.

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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On Yer Bike.

In the late 1970s, I was a student and, shock horror, I actually had wheels. Unlike nowadays when every student seems to have a car, my college had about 300 blokes in it (no women…it was all single sex in those days) and only two of us had transportation. One guy had a Ford Escort RS2000, although it wasn’t much use because he’d won it in a Sunday newspaper competition, had it delivered to the college, and then found out that he couldn’t afford to insure it, tax it or put in fuel. It sat in the car park for 6 months and then got nicked. It had nine miles on the clock. Easy come; easy go. The other guy who could impress the girls, was me. I had a motorcycle. It was a Triton. A lot of folk won’t have a clue what this is….neither did I at the time, but it was cheap so I didn’t care. I paid £18 out of my grant for it. A Triton was the best bits of two bikes put together. The Norton Featherbed frame was judged to be one of the best around at the time, and the Triumph Bonneville 650cc engine was tried and trusted. The result was simple. Whip out the Norton engine, weld in some new engine mounts, install the Bonneville 650 and, bingo, you had a great engine in a superb frame. The lower you could mount the engine, the better the handling. I loved it. Brakes were just about nonexistent; the handlebars could be moved several inches in either direction without

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moving the wheel. Changing up from 1st gear required the usual flick with the foot, but it was anyone’s guess which gear would actually select. And the clutch had a kick like a mule. On summer’s day when the sun is shining and the road is quiet, it was bliss. Every biker knows that feeling. Which brings me to the latest offering from Triumph and Norton, two classic British motorcycle builders. I love British bikes. It’s all about the noise. They’re like Porsche, Subaru, Ferrari and Range Rover cars. When one is approaching from behind, I don’t need to be told what it is; the sound has already told me. This is the latest motorbike from Triumph. There are two versions, the £12,899 Rocket III Roadster and £13,899 Rocket III Touring. If you thought all bikes had small engines, think again. The Rocket III comes with a staggering 2.3 litre engine, making it the world’s largest capacity engine on a production motorbike. On all previous Rocket III models, the massive triple cylinder engine’s huge torque has been electronically reduced in the first three gears, simply to prevent what ‘Triumph refers to as ‘rider intimidation’, but the latest Roadster version has had the shackles removed the full torque and power are on tap from the moment the clutch is released. You end up with an effortless 0-60mph time of just over three seconds. Stunning. The rigid frame and sophisticated suspension, comprising 43mm upside down forks and adjustable rear units, lets

the Rocket III Roadster sweep through corners and change direction with an agility that belies its size and capacity. It’s a high spec machine ABS brakes those unmistakable twin headlights as standard. In other words, you have a motorcycle that is absolutely unique, original and distinct from every other. If you’d rather keep things a little more conventional but maintain the British link, then the latest Norton Commando would be a great choice. You still get a terrific engine, a twin, 961cc unit driving through a chain as opposed to Triumph’s shaft, and you still get a great handling motorcycle with a racing pedigree that’s been handed down for generations. There’s even the option of a racing exhaust to liven-up the neighbours. There are three versions... SF, Café Racer and Sport models. Prices start for the 961 Racer at £13,995 rising to £15,995 for the SF. All of them look great, especially the Sport with the higher bar. The more swoopy lines of the Café Racer give it a retro look that’ll appeal to some...not to other. Performance is available from low revs, but this is more of a shouty bike than the Triumph Rocket III. The bottom line is that if you fancy a change from 4 wheels to 2, then both of these bikes will fit the bill. They’ll cruise all day, they handle wonderfully and they’re fun. And they’re British.

27/05/2013 22:45

ROAD TEST

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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27/05/2013 22:45

SURVEY

POWER TO YOU… THE CAR BUYER

Here’s something any car buyer shouldn’t miss. Each year, the JD Power survey is published. They receive reports from over 16,000 car buyers who’re driving cars between 12 and 36 months of age. There are 66 various criteria on which a car is judged. Cars made from manufacturers with tiny sales figures, like McLaren or Morgan, aren’t included, but that still leaves 116 different models from 28 car brands.

It’s all about customer satisfaction. What do those 16,000 drivers really think of their cars, the brands and the dealers? We’ve been scouring the results.

WINNERS BEST BRANDS

The big winners are Jaguar and Land Rover. Jaguar was voted best brand for the second successive year. Lexus and Honda took 2nd and 3rd place. Land Rover has improved dramatically. They’ve rocketed up the table to take 6th place. The Discovery and Freelander did really well. The Jaguar XF was the clear winner in the Executive Car class. Buyers gave the car 5 stars across the board. It seems to be extremely reliable and well screwed together. Buyers also liked the dealers. One of the reasons why Land Rover

performed so well as a brand is that their cars are becoming more and more reliable.

TURMY301

Skoda and Lexus (probably the most consistently high scoring brand) both had two cars in the top 10. Mercedes went close though with a 9th, 12th and 14th placing (B, C and E Class cars.)

Turb

WINNERS BEST CARS In terms of best individual cars, well done to Skoda. Their Yeti and Superb models came 1st and 2nd. Jaguar’s XF was 3rd and Lexus were 4th and 9th (RX and IS) In terms of climbing up the satisfaction chart, the Citroen DS3 romped up to 4th place. (we road test a DS3 on p23). The winners in each category are as follows: Volkswagen Fox (now replaced by the Up) is the best city car, Citroen DS3 is best supermini, Toyota Prius is the best small family car, Skoda Superb is the best family car / compact executive, the Jaguar XF is the best executive car, Mercedes-Benz B-Class is the best MPV, the Skoda Yeti is the best compact SUV and the Lexus RX is the best large SUV.

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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SURVEY

LOSERS WORST BRANDS

LOSERS WORST CARS

hugely successful Fiat 500. Fiat got it right; Ford didn’t.

The big losers are Chevrolet and Alfa Romeo.

It’s early days for the Spark and obviously bad news for the Mito but there was disappointment for plenty of other cars and brands.

Vauxhall struggled with the Corsa. It didn’t make it into the top 100. It might be popular but it came low in terms of customer satisfaction ratings.

For example, BMW had a terrible time with the X1; it was voted into the bottom 10 worst cars. The SUV categories don’t make happy reading for Audi. Their Q7 came 91st in the list while the Q5 was only marginally better at 85th. The A6 performed badly too in the Executive class. .

So, there you go. You might have been swayed by stunning designs, convinced by performance figures and promised the best deal in the world by the sales guy, but what do the people who actually own and drive the cars really think of that shiny, new set of wheels. For a more detailed rundown of the results, visit www.whatcar.com

Chevrolet were voted worst brand for the second successive year. Alfa Romeo only just missed out on the wooden spoon. Both companies even managed another ‘thumbs down’ by also having the two worst cars. The Chevrolet Spark was new to the list, but the Alfa Mito was savaged by owners fed-up with its unreliability. The Alfa Giulietta also faired badly. Looks aren’t everything, although in this instance they saved the Mito from being last. Big hitters like Vauxhall and Ford TURMY301 A5 Landscape 24/5/131011:50 Page 1 were in theAd bottom

Ford continue to do badly with the Ford Ka which is amazing really bearing in mind that it shares so much with the C

CY CMY

Turbo Charger Experts • Diagnostics • DPF Removal • Rolling Road • Petrol & Diesel Remaps • Performance Parts

VehicleViagra

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“EXPERT ADVICE & GREAT DEALS, IT’S THAT SIMPLE”

CALL: 0845 456 3441

Audi A1

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£195.00

Hatchback 1.6 TDI SE 3 Door

Hyundai i10

Fiat 500

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Hatchback 1.2 S 3 door

Volkswagen Golf

Ford Ranger

Toyota Hilux

Hatchback 1.6 TDI S 5 Door

Pick Up Double Cab XL 2.2 TDCI 150 +VAT 4WD

Invincible D/Cab 3.0 D-4D 4W

£135.00

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Nissan Juke +VAT

£149.00

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Hatchback 1.5 DCI Visia 5 Door

Ford Fiesta +VAT

£159.00

Hatchback 1.5 TDCI Zetec 5 Door +VAT

£169.00

Audi A6 +VAT

£285.00

Saloon 2.0 TDI S Line 4 Door

Mini Countryman

Land Rover Range Rover

BMW X5

Land Rover Range Rover

Hatchback 1.6 John Cooper Works ALL4 +VAT 5 Door

Evoque Coupe 2.2 TD4 Pure 3 Door +VAT

Estate xDrive 30d Blue Performance SE 5 +VAT Door Auto

Sport Estate 3.0 SDV6 SE 5 Door Auto

£359.00

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ALL BASED ON 3 PAYMENTS UP FRONT AND BALLOON PAYMENT, TERM 60 MONTHS, 10,000mpa

PART OF THE

motorsauce VEHICLE SOURCING MADE SIMPLE

AFS Group, Grove Terrace, Langley Moor, Durham. DH7 8JT. Tel: 0845 456 3441 www.motorsauce.co.uk AutOh!_issue_one_print_ready.indd 40

28/05/2013 13:33

REVIEW

motorsauce VEHICLE SOURCING MADE SIMPLE

MOTOR SAUCE

A North East company is serving up a new way to source vehicles.

If you either own or work for a company or if you are a private individual, when the time comes to acquire a new vehicle you are suddenly faced with a huge array of options. Do you buy one outright? Do you rent one? What about contract hire? Do you lease it? Do you go for a hire purchase scheme? Have you thought of a PCP Personal Contract Purchase? And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for a moment think that the questions have stopped there. How many miles will the vehicle be covering each year? How much deposit would you like to pay? Would you like it for 1, 2 or 3 years? Would you like to own the car at the end of the deal? How about getting servicing and new tyres thrown in? After that little lot, it is very easy to forget the obvious questions. What is the vehicle going to be used for? Will it be mainly private use, high mileage company journeys or will it be a pool car? Oh yes, would you like a car or a van and when would you like it delivered? As for what sort, size and fuel type of vehicle you would like, seems to be almost secondary.

And of course, if you are looking for several vehicles, then the problems simply mount.

would most suit your requirements.

THIS is where Motor Sauce can help.

Motor Sauce takes away all of the hassle, allowing you to get on with your job. They are also your point of contact should you have any problems with the vehicle.

Every year, Motor Sauce acquires hundreds of vehicles. This gives Motor Sauce huge bargaining power when it comes to finding you the perfect vehicle at the perfect price and therefore getting you the best deal possible. Motor Sauce can also anticipate the questions you will ask. All you need to do is tell them the answers to those obvious questions mentioned earlier. What sort of vehicle do you want, what will be its role and when do you want it?

We aim to save you time and money, it really is that simple.

So, there you go. And after all of those questions, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the next one. How can Motor Sauce help you? Give them a call on 0845 456 3441 or visit their website at www.motorsauce.co.uk, or send them an email sales@motorsauce.co.uk Motorsauce - making sourcing simple.

After that, Motor Sauce will come back and give you a full range of choices which

AutOh! MAGAZINE

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SY_Autoh_DPS_Layout 1 24/05/2013 13:56 Page 1

SELLING THE REGION’S

FINEST HOMES SPRINGFIELD HOUSE Corbridge

Springfield House is a highly impressive detached Victorian residence. Set in circa 2.9 acres of beautiful secluded gardens and grounds, the property has lovely south facing terraces and open views over the Tyne Valley. is is a very special and luxurious house.

Price Guide: £3.995 Million

LAUDER GRANGE Prospect Hill, Corbridge

A fabulous opportunity to acquire a distinctive, stone built and highly impressive detached Victorian house which has been extensively renovated, refurbished and luxuriously upgraded by the current owners in recent years. e house enjoys total gardens and grounds extending to just under 23 acres and includes grazing land of 15.5 acres.

Price Guide: £2.8 Million

From Sanderson Young

ALL CONFIDENTIAL ENQUIRIES TO 0191 2233500 or email: duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk

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SELLING THE REGION’S

FINEST HOMES RUNNYMEDE ROAD Darras Hall, Ponteland is late 1990s magnificent luxury modern mansion is set back from Runnymede Road with a lovely gated entrance. is highly impressive home has been constructed to a very high standard. e rear garden has a beautiful burn which runs through the lawns, the boundaries and borders are attractive with tall mature trees giving good screening. Viewing is strongly recommended.

Price Guide: £1.75 Million

THE GLEBE Riding Mill

is highly impressive, detached country residence is well located in a peaceful and private area of the Tyne Valley e property enjoys gardens and grounds that extend to just over 7.4 acres and include woodland, two grazing paddocks and formal gardens and grounds.

Price Guide: £1.495 Million

From Sanderson Young

ALL CONFIDENTIAL ENQUIRIES TO 0191 2233500 or email: duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk

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Come and see us. If you have a question about our cars, our latest offer, or pretty much anything Honda related, come to us. We’ll know. Because for us this isn’t just our job – it’s our passion. That’s The Honda Way.

Sporty Jazz Si 0% APR Representative £500 deposit contribution 4 years’ servicing for £399

DURHAM HONDA

Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham, County Durham DH1 5DQ 0191 3750500

NEWCASTLE HONDA

Scotswood Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE4 7DF 0191 272 2881

SUNDERLAND HONDA Wessington Way, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR5 3NX 0191 516 0099

Part of the Vertu Honda www.vertu-honda.co.uk

Fuel consumption figures for the Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC Si Manual in mpg (l/100km): Urban 42.2 (6.7), Extra Urban 57.7 (4.9), Combined 50.4 (5.6). CO2 emissions: 129g/km. Model shown: Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC Si Manual in optional White Orchid Pearl at £15,210 On The Road. Terms and Conditions: New retail Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC registrations from 2 April 2013 to 30 June 2013. Subject to model and colour availability. Offers applicable at participating dealers and are at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Deposit contribution: £500 Honda deposit contribution on Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC models. £275 a month based on Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC Si in metallic/pearl paint at £15,210 total cash price (and total amount payable) with 36 months’ 0% APR Representative Hire Purchase (interest rate per annum 0% fi xed) with £4,810 (32%) customer deposit required, excluding Honda Deposit Contribution. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc. 470 London Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8QY. Servicing: Four years’ servicing or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, at £399 including VAT, includes a maximum of four manufacturer’s scheduled services.

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