Industry & Market News

New Honda Accord Tourer pricing

The new Honda Accord Tourer estate will be priced from L20,560 when the model goes on sale in September: L1300 more than the equivalent Accord saloon. </p><p> There will be three grades: ES, ES GT and EX. </p><p> The Accord Tourer will continue to feature its automatic tailgate lift mechanism, but it's now quieter in action. </p><p> With the rear seats upright, the Accord Tourer has 395 litres of space available up to the window line. Using the same measurement, Honda says the Audi A4 Avant has 383 litres; and the load area of the BMW 3 Series Touring is 358 litres. </p><p> The Accord Tourer's one touch folding mechanism is carried over into the new model. With the seats folded, the luggage area increases to 672 litres up to the window line - enough to take a mountain bike without removing its front wheel. </p><p> A five-speed automatic transmission is available on both 2.0 and 2.4 petrol models. An automatic diesel transmission is due in 2009. </p><p> The Honda Accord Tourer goes on sale in September. </p><p> <strong>Honda Accord Tourer prices - petrol models</strong> <UL><LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES</strong> L20,560 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES auto</strong> L21,860 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES GT</strong> L21,410 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES GT auto </strong>L22,710 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES GT + SatNav</strong> L22,510 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 ES GT auto + SatNav </strong>L23,810 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 EX </strong>L24,560 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.4 EX auto</strong> L25,860</UL> </p><p> <strong>Honda Accord Tourer prices - diesel models</strong> <UL><LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 ES </strong>L22,360 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 ES GT</strong> L23,210 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 ES GT + SatNav</strong> L24,310 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 EX </strong>L25,360 <LI><strong>Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 EX GT </strong>L26,210</UL>

Revised A-Class on sale from July

Mercedes has revised its three- and five-door A-Class range. </p><p>The updated Mercedes A-Class goes on sale from 17 July. </p><p> There are no price increases over the outgoing Mercedes A-Class hatchback. But there is added specification, better fuel economy, lower CO2 emissions, and a revised model line-up. </p><p> The Mercedes A-Class range is now simplified into: Classic SE; Elegance SE; and Avantgarde SE. The Classic, Sport and Turbo variants are deleted from the range. </p><p> Active Park Assist, which identifies a parking space big enough for the A-Class and when engaged reverses the car into the space, is a new option priced at L550. </p><p> There will be the choice of four engines: two petrol and two diesel. All are available with the choice of manual or auto transmissions. </p><p> There is the 1.5-litre A150 and 1.7-litre A170 petrol models. Or 2.0-litre A160 and A180 CDI turbodiesel units. </p><p> A three-door A160 CDI BlueEfficiency economy model is due later in the year. It promises 62mpg with 119g/km of CO2. </p><p> Mercedes A-Class prices start from L14,365. </p><p> <strong>Further information</strong> <UL><LI>The bigger five-door only Mercedes B-Class has also been revised and goes on sale at the same time. Prices start from L18,840. <LI>Story: <a href="https://www.milesbetternews.com" title="go to Miles Better News website" target="_blank">www.milesbetternews.com</a> </UL>

More muscle but lower tax for new Audi A5 model

The Audi A5 will have a gutsy new 2.0 TFSI engine in August. </p><p> Audi calls the new 2.0 TFSI a high-torque engine

All-new VW Golf plays quality card

The all-new Volkswagen Golf will redefine quality and comfort for compact hatchbacks.

New Avensis: high-tech safety, lower emissions

The new Toyota Avensis will offer high-tech safety and lower emissions when it goes on sale in January 2009. </p><p> The engines for the third-generation Toyota Avensis will be both more powerful and emit less CO2, Toyota promises. </p><p> The new Avensis will offer improved passive and active safety over the outgoing model. </p><p> Among the features on the new Avensis are: <UL><LI>Steering-assist; <LI>Vehicle Stability Control; <LI>Adaptive Front Light System; and <LI>Pre-Crash Safety System.</UL> </p><p> Further details will be announced on 02 October when the Avensis makes its world debut at the Paris motor show. </p><p> The first photos of the saloon, Tourer estate and front cabin have been released. They show a conservative but stylish approach. </p><p> The new Avensis will retain the levels of refinement, quality and equipment of the outgoing model, Toyota claims. </p><p> The new Avensis will be built at the same Derbyshire factory as the outgoing car. Prices will be announced later this year.

New sports-style Focus Zetec S launched

Ford is expanding the Focus range. </p><p> A new Zetec S model adds sportier styling to Focus hatchback. </p><p> Costing L750 more than the Focus Zetec model, the Zetec S features sports body styling; 17-inch alloys; and front and rear spoilers. </p><p> The Ford Focus Zetec S will be available in both three- and five-door body styles. Engines include: <UL><LI>1.6 115PS petrol <LI>1.8 125PS petrol <LI>2.0 145PS petrol <LI>1.8 TDCi 115 PS diesel <LI>2.0 TDCi 136PS diesel</UL> </p><p> An optional Sport pack (L500) includes 18in alloy wheels and privacy glass. The WRC pack (L200) rally-style scuff plates. </p><p> Prices start at L16,545 for the 1.6 Ti-VCT Focus Zetec S 3dr petrol; and L17,795 for the 1.8i TDCi Zetec S 3dr diesel. </p><p>

Drivers lacking first aid knowledge as theory test changes, Motorpoint warns

Motorpoint warned that there could be a knowledge gap between existing drivers and those currently preparing for their test.

Smart, sleek, surprisingly sensible: Omoda 7 review