GEC-E01-S4
KEEP CALM IT’S
NEWREG63
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RENAULT MEGANE COUPE KNIGHT EDITION
NEW RENAULT SCENIC XMOD DYNAMIQUE TOMTOM
HYLTON RENAULT EVEROAK ESTATE, BROMYARD ROAD, WORCESTER WR2 5HW TEL 01905 748282
Bluetooth and iPod connectivity Integrated TomTom LIVE satellite navigation Efficient ENERGY engines LED daytime running lights 16" alloy wheels Air conditioning
HYLTON RENAULT MACKENZIE WAY, MANOR ROAD, CHELTENHAM GL51 9TX TEL 01242 222400
The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Renault range are: Urban 27.2 (10.4)–78.5 (3.6); Extra Urban 45.6 (6.2)–94.2 (3.0); Combined 36.7 (7.7)–88.3(3.2). The official CO2 emissions for the range are 178–83g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.
Terms and exclusions apply. Warranty 100,000 miles. Service 48,000 miles. Visit renault.co.uk/4plus for details. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1AF. Subject to status, guarantees and indemnities may be required. Terms and conditions apply. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands). *Offer is equivalent to 20% VAT taken off the Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price (MRRP) of the vehicle. This offer excludes the cost of options and accessories and is valid on the Renault Mégane and New Renault Scénic range (excluding the Special Edition Red Bull) when ordered by 30 September 2013.
& HAVE A MINI ADVENTURE
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FACTFILE Model: MINI Roadster Price: £18,055 to £26,045 0-62 mph: 6.5 to 10.5 Max speed: 119 to 147 Co2 (g/km): 118 to 169 Combined mpg: 38.7 to 62.8
MINI roadster: maxi thrills
MINI’s search for exploitable market niches shows no sign of letting up. Say hello to the Roadster. Jonathan Crouch reports Yet another twist on the MINI theme, the rakish Roadster is
based on the Coupe model, offering two seats and a whole lot of fresh air fun, the first real sportscar the brand has brought us. Throw back the hood on a sunny day and you'll wonder what can come close. This certainly won't be the sleekest-looking car of its kind
you've ever seen, but the 13-degrees of increased rake in the windscreen does lend it a racier look, especially when the roof's down, with a waistline that rises gently along the body length towards the strikingly stepped rear end that makes reverse parking so awkward.
Drop-top BMW ticks all boxes BMW’s smallest drop top has proven a big hit, but with new and improved rivals snapping at its heels, it needs to work hard to stay ahead of the pack. Andy Enright reports Many imagined that BMW’s biggest problem with the 1 Series Convertible would be the impact it made on 3 Series Convertible sales but that hasn’t proven to be an issue, the 1 Series being marketed as the more youthful and exuberant choice while the 3 Series seeks to appeal to a more mature clientele. This model is better than ever before, with BMW working hard to lower the 1 Series’ already impressive carbon emissions still further. As a result, the popular 118d emits just 118g/km and all of the 2.0-litre cars manage less than 155g/km. The styling has been tweaked too, with revised lights and clever Air Curtain aerodynamics to further improve efficiency. Throwing in a good deal more standard equipment than before certainly isn’t going to harm the 1 Series Convertible’s chances in a mar-
Power comes from the usual MINI engines: petrol-wise, a normally aspirated 122bhp 1.6, then the same unit in turbo form with either 184 or 211bhp in either 'Cooper S' or 'John Cooper Works' models. There's also a 143bhp Cooper SD diesel variant.
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ket that is filling up with some talented rivals. The competition from rival models with larger cabins and boots is tougher but the BMW still looks appealing. And this drop-top is the only 1 Series derivative you could actually call pretty. No other convertible in the £20,000-£35,000 price bracket is anything like as good to drive – or as cheap to run. If you can stomach the up-front investment, this car is a choice that ticks most of the other boxes. And, importantly for a convertible, it makes you feel good about doing it.
FACTFILE Model: BMW 1 Series Convertible Price: £24,935 to £37,765 0-62 mph: 5.5 to 10.1 Max speed: 129 to 155 Co2 (g/km): 127 to 200
& BE THE BEST IN CLASS FACTFILE Model: Mercedes-Benz A-Class 180 Price: £18,970 to £24,920 0-60 mph: 9.1 to 11.3 Max speed: 118 to 126 Co2 (g/km): 98 Combined mpg: 51.4 to 74.3
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A little bit special
The least expensive A180 petrol version of Mercedes’ A-Class is still surprisingly desirable. Andy Enright reports Some might feel a pang of regret that Mercedes has returned to a more conventional shape with this latest A-Class, but be in no doubt that it’s a massively improved car compared to its innovative but rarely exciting predecessors. It looks great, it drives well and it’s chock-full of smart ideas. Even in this entry-level A180 petrol guise, you’ll love it. And on the road? Well, if you were expecting something soft and friendly, you’re in for a shock. The A-Class feels like a sports hatch. The ride, even in comfort-oriented SE spec, is extremely firm and this may put a few people off. On a badly-surfaced British B-road, it feels constantly busy, reminding you to stay on top of your game, demanding attention like a spoilt kid. Get it on tarmac not quite so scarred and it’s just got the mightiest front end. This is a car you can really lean on as you enter a corner, confident in the knowledge that it’s not going to wash out until you’ve got some really silly numbers on the clock and even then the ESP stability control intervenes and gathers things up. We tried the entry-level petrol 1.6-litre A180 with 122PS getting it to 62mph in 9.2s on the way to 126mph.
If that’s not enough, there’s a 156PS version of this same engine fitted to the pricier A200 variant that knocks a second off that and takes you up to 139mph. I’d guess though that most potential buyers won’t need to go that fast. More popular perhaps, might be the option of specifying the 7-speed dual clutch auto gearbox. Underpinning the baby Benz is a fairly conventional suspension system found beneath the B-class, featuring MacPherson struts up front and a four-link design at the back. Anything else? Brakes good, gear change a bit lightweight but accurate, all-round visibility out of the car just about acceptable, driving position excellent. When was the last time Mercedes made a small car you really wanted to drive? It’s been a while but the three-pointed star is back in the game. Outside, this MK3 A-Class delivers a riot of swage lines on the flanks that really serve to give a tautness and dynamism to the shape. The front grille and air intakes look as if they mean business as does the neat integrated roof spoiler. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class isn’t going to be for everyone. Some will find the styling too strident, others will baulk at the firm ride or the fact that it’s not got the biggest boot. If Mercedes was planning on broadening the appeal of its baby, it might not get the results it was expecting. If, on the other hand, Mercedes wanted to distil all that’s exciting fresh and modern about the company into one small package, I don’t think it could have done much better. If you like your hatches sporty, self-assured and with a big feel-good factor, you’ll probably want to book a test drive. Even in entry-level A180 form, we reckon this car is a little bit special.
GEC-E01-S4
CATCH THEM IF YOU CAN! NEW Ford Ka Connect
FEATURES INCLUDE
• Alloy Wheels • FConnectivity Pack • Bluetooth and USB • CD Player Free Insurance when Financed with Ford Credit (subject to terms and conditions, and eligibility)
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NEW Fiesta Zetec FEATURES INCLUDE • Award winning Ecoboost engine available • Front Fog Lights • Bluetooth and USB
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Focus on a best-seller I suppose it’s like hiding in plain sight, says Jonathan Crouch about the new Ford Focus The Ford Focus is a car that’s
bought in huge numbers by company fleets and private buyers alike who take for granted the fact that it’s going to be reliable, good to drive and spring no mechanical gremlins that will result in eye-watering bills. This undemanding grazing at what is one of the best small cars in history rather sells the Focus’ abilities short. Perhaps it’s time to have a more in-depth look at
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what it offers. The Focus has racked up over 10 million sales since it was launched in 1998. Obviously the excellent fuel economy means you’ll sometimes wonder if the fuel gauge has frozen, but there are a number of features that just work well, the speed of the windscreen and rear window heaters for one. There's nothing cooler than not seeming to try too hard. The Focus just shrugs and makes the rest look stupid.
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NEW B-Max Zetec FEATURES INCLUDE • Easy Access Door System • Air Conditioning • Heated Front Screen • £1250 Finance Deposit Allowance Available
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NEW Ford Focus 5 Door
FEATURES INCLUDE • £2000 Finance Deposit Allowance Available • Free Equipment Upgrades • Award Winning Eco boost Engine Available
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£13995
Over 200 FORD DIRECT and ALL MAKES PJ Approved cars in stock! Great Choice of Commercial Vehicles Now Available!
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Tel: 01684 275555 Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 8DT WWW.PJNICHOLLS.COM
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Astra-nomics makes sense
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WITH ADDED VLAUE
Vauxhall’s Astra has smartened up its act but it still makes value sense. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the economically-priced entry-level 1.4i 16v VVT variant Vauxhall hopes that a package of smart styling revisions will keep its Astra family hatch competitive with tough competition in the Focus and Golf sector. Add in the brand's usual vast range of engines and trim levels and you have a family hatchback that continues to be very difficult to ignore. Especially in entry-level 1.4i 16v VVT petrol form, the least expensive version of which is one of the most affordable cars in its sector. To begin with, I need to point out that the 1.4-litre 16v VVT petrol powerplant on offer here is one of Vauxhall's older engines. In other words, we're not talking here about the modern 120 or 140PS 1.4-litre 16v turbo petrol unit that's offered to Astra GTC coupe customers and was available to original buyers of
this sixth generation Astra five-door hatch. It isn't any more. If you're looking at a five-door Astra hatch, petrol choices are limited to 87 and 100PS normally aspirated versions of the 1.4i 16v VVT unit we're looking at here - or an unremarkable 115PS normally aspirated 1.6-litre powerplant. In the case of this 1.4 in 87PS form, that means rest to sixty in around 14s on the way to a top speed of 105mph. Graduating up to this unit in 100PS form means that your bodystyle choice also includes the Sports Tourer estate. Performance improves to get you to sixty on 12.9s on the way to 111mph. A five-door 87PS version of this entry-level car can be yours in base 'Expression' trim for around £13,000 which gives it a price advantage of around £1,000 over an equivalently powered entry-level 1.6-litre Ford Focus. Astra pricing does rise substantially though if you order the 1.4-litre 16v VVT engine in 100PS form.
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WARRANTY 100,000 MILE
Adam 1.2 16v Jam 3dr
Corsa 1.2 16v Exclusiv 3dr
• New Adam - funky and action packed • £3495 customer deposit required • 60 month 0% APR finance term
• £500 finance deposit contribution • £1999 customer deposit required • 60 month 0% APR finance term
£129.60 per month
Baylis
Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham GL51 0AL
£158.85 per month
Cole Avenue, Gloucester GL2 5ER
Astra 1.4 16v VVT SRi 5dr
£176.05 per month
• £2000 finance deposit contribution • £4999 customer deposit required • 60 month 0% APR finance term
Tel: 0844 247 1518 www.baylisvauxhall.co.uk
Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Vauxhall Range (excluding Ampera): Urban: 14.4 (19.6) - 67.3 (4.2), Extra-urban: 27.4 (10.3) - 91.1 (3.1), Combined: 20.6 (13.7) - 80.7 (3.5). CO2 emissions: 324 - 94g/km. *Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Guarantee/Indemnity may be required. Vauxhall Motor Finance RH1 1SR. Offer applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1-24 (purchase only excluding B2B). All other customers are excluded. **Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty covers lifetime ownership of first registered keeper, 100,000 mile limit. Terms and conditions apply. Term can be from 24 – 60 months. Customer deposit shown after deduction of Vauxhall contribution. Metallic paint available at an extra cost. Only available through Vauxhall Insurance. Policies are underwritten by Ageas Insurance Ltd. Other terms and conditions apply. Offers available until 30th September 2013. Cars pictured are shown for illustration purposes only and may feature options and paint finishes available at additional cost. ^1 year’s free insurance on Corsa Exclusiv model applies to drivers aged 21-75 who have held a driving licence for at least 12 months.
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& RULE THE ROAD FACTFILE
Juke rules the road
Model: Nissan Juke range Price: £12,995 to £22,600 0-62 mph: 7.8 to 12 Max speed: 104 to 134 Co2 (g/km): 109 to 169 Combined mpg: 37.2 to 67.3
Nissan is aiming to exploit the niche market for small urban 4x4s with its adventurous Juke crossover. Jonathan Crouch takes a look Nissan has been one of the pioneers behind the growth of the crossover 4x4 and now it’s looking
to replicate the success of its Qashqai with the more compact and vividly-styled Juke. The crossover’s blend of tough 4x4 looks and road-going composure has hit the right notes with buyers and the Juke takes things to the next level offering a bold and dynamic alternative to a conventional supermini. To look at the Juke, you’d think it had just
come off a stage of the Paris Dakar Rally. The big wheels, extended ground clearance and body protection clearly hint at some all terrain ability but much of the effort that has gone into developing the car was actually focused on creating a sporty feel on the road. The 4x4 set-up itself is Nissan’s advanced All-MODE 4x4-i torque-vectoring system.
As for engines, well entry-level buyers have a choice between a 117PS 1.6-litre petrol version with the same torque as the turbo or a 110PS 1.5-litre dCi diesel. Further up the range, where you get the choice of two or four-wheel drive, there’s a 190PS 1.6 DiG-T petrol turbo unit, with its output teased up to 200PS in the more focused Nismo version. The Juke is 4,135mm long while the majority of today’s super-minis dip fractionally under the 4-meter barrier. It’s also 1,765mm wide which, again, is larger than most supermini products but not by much. When you factor the Juke’s wide track, flared wheel arches, beefy bumpers and long bonnet into its dimensions, the expectation must be for an actual cabin that’s somewhat less roomy than the leading supermini rivals. The 251-litre boot includes an under-floor storage area and 60:40 split rear seats help to increase luggage capacity.
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IN THE CITY
...
FACTFILE Model: Chevrolet Spark Price: £8,695 0-62 mph: 12.1 Max speed: 102 Co2 (g/km): 118 Combined mpg: 55.4
Bright Spark! The burgeoning citycar market could be a happy hunting ground for Chevrolet and its improved Spark. Jonathan Crouch checks out the latest version Chevrolet’s revised little Spark citycar offers a smarter dash of character
at the affordable end of the urban runabout sector, yet has a spacious cabin and relatively affordable pricing. This is a slightly bigger car than the Chevy Matiz it originally replaced, so it’s not quite as nippy through the tiny gaps, ridiculously
tight multi-storey car parks and width restrictors of urban life. You can still however, duck and dive more easily around town than you’d be able to in a Fiesta or Corsa-sized supermini – take the tight turning circle of under 10metres for example. Plus that small increase in size makes the
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Spark feel more planted in the road and happier on longer trips. This and the use of larger four cylinder engines will make ownership of this Chevrolet less of a culture shock for those trading down to this, the very smallest sector of the small car market.
And so to style. This isn’t the cheapest citycar you can buy, so perceived trendiness will be an important selling point. Whether this Chevy has it is a subjective judgement of course but it certainly makes direct Korean rivals from Hyundai and Kia look rather dull.
SPARK 1.0 LS
THE 5-DOOR CITY CAR WITH EXPRESSIVE DESIGN
£
129
60 MONTHS • • • • •
PER MONTH £0 DEPOSIT
£7,745
119g/km - only £30 per year road tax 5 door practicality with 3 door looks Central door locking Fuel efficient: up to 55.4mpg CD-Radio with Aux input, MP3 & USB connectivity
CRUZE 1.6 LS
THE STYLISH HATCHBACK THAT’S DYNAMICALLY ENGINEERED
£
187 60 MONTHS
• • • •
PER MONTH £1,995 DEPOSIT
£13,195
Air conditioning 6 airbags ‘Follow me home’ head lights Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
BAYLIS GLOUCESTER
0% APR
Cole Avenue Gloucestershire GL2 5ER 08433204575 www.chevroletgloucester.co.uk
Model shown is a Spark LTZ
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Vehicles shown feature metallic paint available at extra cost (Spark £425 and Cruze £445). Offer available until 30th September 2013. ^0% APR Representative. Finance subject to status. Terms and Conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over. Guarantee/Indemnity may be required. Finance supplied by either Santander Consumer (UK) plc, RH1 1SR or GMAC PO BOX 6666. Cardiff, CF15 7YT. Offers available at participating Dealers only and not available in conjunction with any other offer. Offers may not apply to all Dealer stock. Prices correct at time of print. We can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers, commission may be received.
Official Government Environment Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). Spark 1.0 LS 5dr : Urban - 42.8 (6.6), Extra Urban - 67.3 (4.2), Combined 55.4 (5.1), CO2 emissions 119 g/km. Cruze 1.6 LS Hatchback: Urban - 31.0 (9.1), Extra Urban - 53.3 (5.3), Combined - 42.8 (6.6), CO2 emissions 155 g/km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors.
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GEC-E01-S4
& GO GREEN
Just a Mirage? Mitsubishi answers the call for a low cost, high efficiency supermini with its Mirage. Andy Enright reports Mitsubishi claims its Mirage supermini is the first all sub-100g/km vehicle range in the UK and when coupled with a very low asking price, it does seem an interesting option for the budget-minded driver. It’s not luxuriously finished or especially dynamic to drive but at these prices who’s complaining? Worth a look. You get the choice of two engines, both petrol-powered. The entry-level powerplant is a 70bhp 1.0-litre unit, which is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Pay a bit more and you can choose a 79bhp 1.2-litre manual car with the option of a CVT automatic gearbox that really takes the drag out of city driving. This engine is quite perky, getting to 60mph in 11.7 seconds and running onto 112mph. It looks good, it’s very keenly priced, you just know it’s going to be metronomically reliable and it’s been designed to work very well in town. It records some really low numbers when it comes to economy and emissions with all models scoring less than 100g/km. The manual 1.2-litre model registers just 96g/km. Paying for road tax and the London congestion charge becomes a non-issue. With a drag factor of just
FACTFILE
KEEP CALM & DRIVE A... one is going to do any better than its Colt predecessor, but if you want something a little different and your new car budget isn’t stretching too far, you might find a lot to like here.
M 1 WI IR N AG ES
Te OF fo st d r y ri OV ou ve ER r c the ha n 10 nc ew e M 0 to it wi su b n is 1 h fo i M ra i ye rage ar 1
0.27Cd, the Mirage is also one of the most aerodynamic small cars on sale. The quickest car in the range still manages to extract 68.9 miles from one gallon of unleaded on the combined cycle. We don’t know whether this
Model: Mitsubishi Mirage Price: £8,999 to £12,999 0-62 mph: 11.7 to 13.6 Max speed: 106 to 112 Co2 (g/km): 95 to 100 Combined mpg: 65.7 to 68.9
The new Mirage isn’t simply a new car; it’s a new approach to car manufacturing. Every inch has been engineered to achieve driving and economical perfection - from its sculpted exterior lines and aerodynamic rear spoiler, to its lightweight frame and ultra-efficient engine. The new Mirage also achieves over 65mpg and produces a maximum of 100g/km CO2 emissions 2- which means you can drive in comfort and style without spending a penny on road tax. We call this Intelligent Motion.
Mirage range from £7,999 - £11,999 with 0% APR Representative Finance 3
Cheltenham & Gloucester Mitsubishi 1 Vernon Court, Meteor Business Park, Cheltenham Rd East, Staverton, GL2 9QG T: 0844 692 2849
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1. Terms and conditions apply - visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk. 2. Over 65mpg and £0 VED achieved on all Mirage models. Combined range fuel consumption from 65.7mpg to 68.9mpg and CO2 emissions 100 - 95g/km. Fuel figures shown are official EU test figures, to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 3. Prices shown are vehicle launch offer prices and include a customer discount of £1,000 (inc VAT), include VAT (at 20%), exclude VED and First Registration Fee. Metallic paint extra. Model shown is a Mirage 3 Manual at £10,999. 4. 0% APR Representative Finance excludes Mirage 1. Finance plans are only available through Finance Mitsubishi, 116 Cockfosters Road, Barnet, EN4 0DY and are subject to status to customers aged 18 and over. Finance Mitsubishi is part of Lloyds TSB Asset Finance. 0%APR Representative Finance rate is better than rates available from high street lenders and requires a 50% deposit, other offers are available - ask for details. Indemnities may be required. Prices correct at time of going to print. Offer is only applicable in the UK (excludes NI, Channel Islands & I.O.M), subject to availability, whilst stocks last and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Offer available at participating dealers between 1st August and 30th September 2013.
Mirage range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Urban 56.5 - 61.4 (5.0 - 4.6), Extra Urban 72.4 - 78.5 (3.9 - 3.6), Combined 65.7 - 68.9 (4.3 - 4.1), CO2 Emissions 100 - 95g/km.