ECHO
motors-merseyside
.co.uk
Friday, October 10, 2008
Mondeo retains caravan award
P U D E Z Z JA S R E B M U N
New Honda will hold its value, say experts
By MIKE TORPEY
T
HE new Honda Jazz, which is on sale from this month, will hold its value better than virtually any other small car, according to the experts.
The innovative newcomer has been awarded a 7% increase in its future value rating by Glass’s Guide. This means that anyone who buys one today should get back 44% of their investment if they sell the car in 2011. Glass’s Guide says that this
compares with 34% for a Toyota Yaris 1.3 T Spirit and 38% for a Volkswagen Polo. However, whilst the lowest residual values for the Jazz will be 42% for the 1.2-litre model in comparison to 44 for the 1.4-litre versions, in the case of the Yaris the figure is as low as 29% for the 1.3 T-Spirit and is down to 35 for the Polo 1.6 Sport. In the case of the current Honda Jazz, the retained values are 34% for the 1.2 S and 37% for the 1.4-litre versions. Eurotax Glass’s spokesperson Jason King, says: “Every now and then a car comes along that
challenges the long-established rules of depreciation. “In this regard, the Jazz has confounded many. It is a compact car with huge flexibility, decent driving dynamics and some of the best residual values in the industry.” One of the reasons for the higher residual values is the improvement in economy and emissions. The 1.2-litre S and SE models will achieve 53mpg with 125g/km CO2 emissions. The 1.4-litre ES model, with increased power of 100bhp, achieves 52mpg and 128g/km CO2 emissions while the top EX grade
manages 51mpg with emissions of 130g/km. Fitted with the i-SHIFT automated manual transmission, emissions of the 1.4-litre models are reduced to 125g/km and 128g/km respectively, while economy becomes the same as that of the 1.2-litre model. Manual versions of the Jazz go on sale later this month, with the i-SHIFT reaches showrooms in January. Prices range from £9,990 for the entry-level 1.2 S to £13,590 for the 1.4-litre EX with i-SHIFT. Metallic paint adds a further £380 on all models.
● FORD'S latest generation Mondeo has won a Caravan Club Towcar Award for the second year in a row. The Mondeo Titanium X Estate triumphed against tough competition in the £25,000 to £32,000 category at the Caravan Club's ceremony, the UK's longest running towing vehicle competition. Caravan Club chairman Grenville Chamberlain, said: “The estate model’s huge load space makes it a very practical caravanning car. The five-cylinder turbo petrol engine has tremendous pulling power, the gearbox ratios (six-speed manual) are just right and both brakes and steering inspire confidence. The icing on the cake is great build quality.” ● GEM Motoring Assist is offering a free upgrade on all its breakdown recovery packages until the end of this month. Previously known as the Guild of Experienced Motorists, GEM’s joint cover is the same price as single cover and family cover is available for the usual cost of joint cover. And with GEM’s family policy – up to four members living under one roof – dependents in full-time education will be covered even if they are living away from home. ● OULTON Park is hosting a Fun Cup UK race event tomorrow with a four-hour endurance race, massive 33 car grid and 19 grid girls to raise money for Cancer Research UK and The British Heart Foundation. There will also be races from the BRSCC Car Championships, including the Formula Ford North West series finale. Tickets are £12 for adults on the gate (free for children aged 12 and under). More info from 0870 950 9000 or visit www.oultonpark.co.uk. ● CHESTER Audi has moved from its Sealand Road showroom to a new site at Longlooms Road East, Ellesmere Port, and will now be known as Cheshire Oaks Audi. ● FIAT is celebrating its best monthly result in Britain for four years after posting 9,818 new-car sales to give the brand a 3% market share. The news comes as sales of new cars in the UK fell for the fifth month in a row. Fiat is attributing much of its success to the new Fiat 500, launched here earlier this year. ● A NEW entry-level specification and two additional engines have joined the Volkswagen Scirocco coupe range. The new starter model comes with a 1.4-litre petrol engine and is priced from £18,790. The other engine in starter trim is VW’s popular 2.0-litre common rail diesel, linked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.