Latest new car 2010

Our automotive money-saving guru Mike Rutherford writes about a Ford dealership offering a huge 37pc off a new Ford Focus 1.8i Zetec five-door.



According to a slightly scary media organisation which monitors such things, I've written about BMW, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Government, Labour, London, Toyota, VAT and Vauxhall more than anything else in recent years.
Apparently, of all the firms in the world, Uncle Henry's Ford Motor Company is the one I mention most. I didn't know this until the monitoring experts informed me.

Ford is still, in terms of sales/registrations at least, Britain's number one car company. However, that's very different from saying it's the biggest car maker in Britain. Fact is, it's not even a small one, because no Ford-badged cars have been made here for years.

That's worrying, but of even greater concern is Ford's official but bizarre pricing philosophy, its absurdly optimistic published price lists, and the colossal discounts the retail customer must secure before he or she gets the desired car at the appropriate price.
I don't believe there are prospective buyers in Britain who genuinely think that a modest family car such as the five-door Ford Focus 1.8i Zetec with a few added extras is appropriately priced at - wait for it - just under £21,000. Such an official price isn't just excessive, it's an insult to the consumer.

But what sort of discount is appropriate... and achievable? A couple of months ago in this column I advised Telegraph readers to haggle for discounts of about 28 per cent (the "going rate" at the time) when negotiating for a new Focus.
Within the last few days a leading franchised Ford retailer, Evans Halshaw, has blown my suggested percentage discount out of the water by loudly claiming that it will give buyers of the Focus 1.8i Zetec five-door a full 37 per cent off.
Better still, this colossal price drop represents a saving of precisely £7,721 which is enough to buy a brand new supermini as an additional urban runaround.

Carlsson CD32 based on the C 320 CDI C Class Estate (S204)

Carlsson now turned its attention to the 320 CDI version of the C Class Estate and, in Geneva, presents the CD32, an automobile that meets the highest expectations in terms of looks and performance. Equipped with the Carlsson C-Tronic® system of the latest generation, the CD32, which has been developed for all Mercedes-Benz models with the current 320 CDI engine, is boosted by 45 to 269 bhp, a significance increase over the 224 bhp of the standard model. Torque is up to a solid 612 Nm. Also impressive is the acceleration from 0-100 km/h, which is cut by around a second compared to the standard model. Correction maps ensure that the engine's reserves are only used when it is safe to do so. Thus, the cooling-water temperature is monitored and the power increase only generated when the correct operating temperature has been reached, i.e., when water temperature is between 65 and 100 °C. Moreover, the intelligent control system ensures that the optimum settings are selected under all operating conditions. Carlsson gives a three-year warranty on the new generation C-Tronic® CD32. The environment also benefits from Carlsson's C-Tronic® Diesel performance kits. Thanks to its clever use of technology, the C-Tronic® reduces average fuel consumption and, therefore, CO2 emissions by up to 10 %. At the same time it reduces pollutant emissions. Naturally, the special requirements of the particle filter are met in full. The Carlsson CD32 C Class Estate is distinguished by sporting aerodynamic qualities. Consisting of front apron, rear apron with diffuser look, side mouldings and rear spoiler, the aerodynamic kit in OEM quality reduces lift and radiates elegance and power. The kit also includes a stylish, electro-polished grille insert and double-headlamp units with fog and driving lights for better luminous efficiency and greater safety. Handling and looks are both improved by lowering

the car with special springs developed on the racetrack. The appearance is also upgraded by the new 1/14 RS wheel that Carlsson is also presenting as a WORLD PREMIERE in Geneva. Inside the car, passengers find a sporting, comfortable and elegant interior that makes

Ford Focus Coupé on its way

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Miroslav

22nd November 2010

It’s the return of a legend – the Ford coupé is back! Auto Express can exclusively reveal that the blue oval is taking on the VW Scirocco with a modern interpretation of the Capri.

Since the Cougar left the line-up in 2002, Ford has stood by and watched the sexy Scirocco take the market by storm. The firm’s new model is based on the Focus MkIII, and will have two roles – replacing the outgoing three-door hatch and providing a thrilling flagship for the entire range.

The Focus coupé is set to make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January in the form of a dramatic concept. As with the latest Focus and Fiesta, it’s a ‘world car’ – a result of the One Ford global design strategy.

Speaking to Auto Express recently, design boss Martin Smith hinted that now is the right time for a coupé. “Our plan was always to get the basic Ford product line-up successful,” he said. “Now we have done that, we can start to build more exciting products – and we’ll show how we’re going to do this at Detroit.”

An industry insider backed this up, revealing: “Designers have spent most of this year working on the coupé concept. As inspiration they’ve had pictures of Capris on their studio walls.” But, as you can see from our images, this is no retro design. The car takes inspiration from the Focus ST (Issue 1,132), although the shape is stretched and widened, making it long, low and dramatic.

At the front is a gaping grille, and there’s a steeply sloping screen at the rear. One nod to the past is the distinctive Capri-style curving C-pillars, while details such as LED headlights, large alloys and a centre-exit exhaust complete the look.

The new coupé sits on a development of the ST’s front-wheel-drive chassis, and will share the same traction-enhancing torque vectoring system. But it has a wider track to aid stability. Performance comes from the same 247bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, enabling 0-60mph in around six seconds and a top speed of 155mph.

The new unit will make a thrilling sound, thanks to a combination of intake and exhaust tuning that gives a soft note on small throttle openings, and a hard-edged noise at high revs. Expect lower-powered petrol and diesel engines to be offered as well.

While the coupé concept debuts at Detroit in January, the production version isn’t likely to arrive until 2012.

Geneva's hot: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

With the new Gallardo LP560-4, Lamborghini once again sets a higher standard for super sports cars. With its new engine, permanent four-wheel drive transmission and new suspension, it delivers clearly improved performance and dynamics. In parallel, its innovative design takes the classic lines unique to the Lamborghini brand one step further. Powerful elegance has never been so defined before.
The Gallardo LP560-4 is the successor of the most successful Lamborghini model of all time. Approximately 7100 Gallardo models have left the Sant’Agata Bolognese production plant since its launch in 2003. “The LP560-4 will consolidate this success story,” states Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. “It will outclass its predecessor in every aspect; its dynamics are distinctly breathtaking and its design sets new standards. With the introduction of the Gallardo LP560-4, we will consistently continue Lamborghini’s growth strategy”.
The powerful heart of the Gallardo LP560-4 is the new 5.2 litre V10 engine with an output of 560 PS (412 kW) at 8000 rpm. The increase of 40 PS compared with that of the previous Gallardo, and the approximate 20 kilogram reduction in weight, improves the power weight ratio to 2.5 kilograms per PS (hp) and thus enhances performance. The LP560-4 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, its speed at 11.8 seconds is 200 km/h and its top speed lies at 325 km/h. At the same time the new, highly efficient engine enthrals its driver with its direct fuel injection system - “Iniezione Diretta Stratificata”. Despite its clearly increased power, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by a staggering 18 per cent.
The engineers in the Sant’Agata-based Technical Department have also improved traction, handling and stability at high speeds. The redesigned four-wheel drive transmission, the new suspension and the optimised aerodynamics as well as the reduced weight and decreased friction between the components, all contribute to the overall improvements in the vehicle. Thus the Gallardo LP560-4 presents itself as a cutting edge super sports car also suitable for the race-track. The car is also surprisingly suited to long-distance driving and despite its extreme performance capabilities is easy to control whilst maintaining utmost stability.