DRIVE TIME! MOTORING NEWS

FORD UNVEILS KUGA AT FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

The Kuga was previewed alongside the new Ford Verve Concept small car. The Kuga is a 4wd crossover that Ford says “combines style with technology.” The new model goes on sale throughout Europe during the first half 2008. Kuga’s powertrain will feature Ford’s established and highly fuel efficient 2.0-litre, 136 PS Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engine mated to a Durashift 6-speed manual transmission. Further details of the Kuga powertrain will be released closer to launch in early 2008. Adopting many of the styling cues from Ford’s iosis X Concept, and finished in the same unique “Ice White” body colour with the bold wheel arches filled with the same 19 –inch alloy wheels, the Kuga has poise and presence.

For the production Ford Kuga the roof profile of the iosis X Concept has been adjusted to a slightly higher silhouette offering comfortable accommodation for five people. Practicality is a key attribute and the luggage compartment is accessed via a split tailgate. Together with the divided rear lights this ensures the maximum full load width is available for loading and unloading. While no prices have been released as yet, expect prices to be under €30,000 starting off.

FIVE-STAR RATING FOR FIAT

The Fiat 500 has just achieved the prestigious Euro NCAP five-star crash safety rating.

With a total of 35 points and taking over top spot in its segment for safety, this is the first time that a car of this size has achieved five stars making the 500 one of the safest vehicles on today’s roads.

The Fiat 500 offers, as standard, two dual stage front airbags, two front side airbags for chest/pelvis protection, two window-bags and a driver’s knee airbag. Front seat belts with a double pretensioner and load limiter are also standard equipment.

As well as incorporating a high performance braking system, the Fiat 500 features ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). This sophisticated system is standard on the 1.4 16v version and an option on the other two versions (1.2 and 1.3 Multijet). Since its launch this summer the car has already won over Italy and France, with around 70,000 orders to date. The new Fiat 500 is expected to go on sale in Ireland in January 2008.

NEW JOHN COOPER FOR IRISH ROADS

Fans of the Mini Cooper sports hatch will be delighted to learn that the story continues

With the launch of an all-new John Cooper Works tuning kit, Mini Cooper S owners will be able to add the aftermarket kit for just €1635 inc. VAT, plus approximately four hours fitting.

The 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo engine in the MINI Cooper S receives a power increase to 192 hp, from the standard unit’s 175 hp. Maximum torque is extended from 240 Nm to 250 Nm and is available between 1750 and 5000 rpm. As with the standard car, an Overboost facility is available for faster power deployment and the Works kit means drivers will feel the full force of 270 Nm through the MINI’s front wheels under hard acceleration. The increased power results in a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds, and top speed of 240 km/h.

External John Cooper Works branding on the front grille and tailgate indicate the tweaks carried out under the skin of tuned cars. Features of the kit include a sports exhaust system, a sports air filter and a revised engine management system: all designed to optimise power efficiency and make the engine more free-revving for rapid acceleration throughout the engine speed range.

Visual appeal of the Cooper S can be further boosted with features including an aerodynamic body kit, 18-inch light alloy wheels in various finishes and numerous carbon-fibre trim and panel units.

The tuning upgrade is available at MINI dealerships from this month and will give hardcore MINI fans an eagerly-anticipated performance hit.

MERCEDES-BENZ REVEALS DETAILS OF NEW C-CLASS ESTATE

Just a few months after the market debut of the saloon, Mercedes-Benz has now revealed details of the estate version of the C-Class

Apart from being able to hold a maximum of 1,500-litres of luggage, which Mercedes-Benz claims gives it a larger load capacity than any other premium-class estate in the market segment, but the new car also offers a number of handy features for easy loading and safe transportation – a tailgate which opens and closes at the push of a button for example.

Compared to its predecessor, the rear of the new estate is slanted far more steeply, a crucial factor for enlarging the vehicle’s load volume. This now varies between 485 and 1500 litres (VDA measuring method), depending on the position of the 1/3 : 2/3 split-folding rear seat – more than any of the model’s rivals in this class of premium estate car are able to offer. Measured against the outgoing C-Class Estate, load capacity has been increased by as much as 146 litres. Compared to the outgoing model, the new Mercedes estate burns as much as 12 per cent less fuel. For example, the new C200 CDI can make a single tank of fuel last for almost 1000km.

Published in the October 2007 Issue of Irish Entrepreneur