Mini Cooper S 1.6T

Mini Cooper S 1.6T

The new MINI has been re-designed, it now features a new British built engine, new front and rear suspension and new 6 speed manual gearbox. There are also a host of new innovations, and extra safety and security features as standard. It’s punchy engine, crisp gearchange and lively acceleration make the MINI Cooper S a great all-rounder.

The current list price for the Mini Cooper S 1.6T is £16,585 (excluding any discounts), under the hood is a 1.6 litre turbocharged engine which produces a whopping 175bhp, so it comes as no surprise to see the official top speed is 141mph, 0-60 comes in 7 seconds flat, this model has a rather steep insurance group 15 rating, but surprisingly it will return an average of 46mpg, which is quite unusual for such a powerful little car.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

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Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

With its radical new ‘Jet Fighter’ look, improved interiors, higher specs and a zippy drive – the new Mitsubishi Colt is improved and ready for any challenge you throw at it. Whether it’s swallowing the shopping, parking in tight spaces or enjoying the open road, the new Colt is up there with the best. It features class-leading interior space, nippy handling and world-beating reliability.

The Colt Ralliart Turbo – An Evo In Miniature.
Ralliart is a key division within Mitsubishi which aims to deliver rally car performance to every day road cars. The stripes of the Ralliart brand are earned given the strict criteria which vehicles must meet before allowed to wear the badge. Vehicles must have significantly improved performance in a number of key areas such as engine output, braking, suspension and body dynamics, all combining to give a totally unique driving experience. The Colt Ralliart was developed for enthusiasts, this little pocket rocket has performance and precision handling dynamics derived from the rally–bred heritage of the Lancer Evolution. Aesthetically, the Colt Ralliart Turbo looks every bit the part with it’s aggressive lines, stylish body kit and purpose built extras like mesh sports grille, high-mounted spoiler and lowered sports suspension, giving it instant street cred unmatched by any of it’s rivals.

Inside, the Ralliart theme continues with sports seats, leather gearshift and alloy sports pedals all derived directly from the Lancer Evolution. Yet it’s not until you lift the bonnet that you realise how much grunt this little beast holds. It’s responsive power is delivered through a 1.5 litre turbo-charged and intercooled MIVEC engine, mated to a GETRAG manual gearbox, while the brakes, wheels and tyres have all been extensively developed to handle whatever you throw at it. One drive and you’ll most certainly be hooked. The current list price for the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart is £12,350 (excluding any discounts), under the hood is a turbocharged 1.5 litre engine which produces 147bhp, top speed is 132mph and 0-60 arrives in 7.3 seconds. This model falls into insurance group 14 and will return an average of 41.7mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki Swift Sport

Just get in, drive it and watch how it puts a big, stupid, grin on your face. The combination of sporty good looks and the lively performance of the 1.6 litre Variable Valve Timing engine, makes it the perfect supermini. It’s just a natural crowd pleaser with its low sporty appearance, deep spoiler and chunky styling. Suzuki consider the Swift Sport a serious driver’s car, that offers a precision driving experience that will awaken your senses and almost leave you amazed. The muscular flared wheel arches, broad stance and deep sloping front grille provide more than a hint of it’s racing pedigree.

Suzuki’s new pocket rocket has a striking design and prominent features that create formidable road presence and ensure that, wherever you are, every eye is firmly fixed on you. With keyless entry as standard, keep the key in your pocket and simply press the touch-sensitive button on the door to open it. Step inside the Swift Sport and you are surrounded by comfort and convenience, with generous headroom and a spacious interior, yet still has all the luxuries. Features include automatic air conditioning to help keep a cool head when driving through the city on summer days.

Keyless start has been added for ease while electric front windows, driver’s side footrest and snug front highback bucket seats create a cockpit that makes you feel you’re ready for anything. The interior features superb build quality, from the driver’s seat you will find sporty stainless steel pedals and a stitched leather steering wheel with audio controls for easy access to the in-car entertainment system. This consists of a WMA/MP3 compatible CD tuner with speed sensing volume control and a 6-speaker sound system.

The cabin also offers up some surprises in terms of storage areas with three cup holders, a centre console with space for all your gadgets such as iPods and mobile phones as well as a foldaway luggage board in the boot. The current list price for the Suzuki Swift Sport is £11,990 (excluding any discounts), Under the hood is a 1.6 litre 16v engine with VVT, which pumps out 125bhp, Top Speed is 124mph, 0-60mph in 8.9 seconds, it is rated at insurance group 9 and will return an average of 40.1mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Vauxhall Corsa VXR

VXR – Vauxhall’s sensational performance brand. Inspired by their record-breaking achievements in the British Touring Car Championship, VXR cars have an an unmistakably sporty attitude. Here’s what Vauxhall call’s them – “Cars with soul and power to make you feel alive, electrified and inspired. A range of driver-focused, performance machines for the road, born on the track.” – Ahem, right, ok then, some of you may think that at £16,500 it’s a bargain, but that’s just the beginning, there are a whole range of upgrades and VXR styling options as extras, so you can spend £20,000 on what is still essentially a Vauxhall Corsa.

I find it difficult to justify spending that kind of money on a small Vauxhall. The current list price for the Vauxhall Corsa VXR is £16,450 (excluding any discounts), under the hood is a 1.6 litre engine pumping out a mammoth 190bhp, top speed is 141mph, 0-60 in a tyre squealing 6.7 seconds. This model falls into insurance group 15 and will return an average of 36.2mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Fiat 500 Abarth

Fiat 500 Abarth

The 500 Abarth has phenominal performance. It is powered by a 1.4 16v turbocharged petrol engine, it has 135 bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3,000 rpm. Car safety is maximised through the standard ESP and the new Torque Transfer Control system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, plus it has seven airbags as standard. The styling fully respects Abarth tradition, it is not an exercise in aesthetics, but it’s driven by the need to improve the car’s performance in every possible way. Aerodynamics are optimised through the use of a ‘diffuser’ (a winged spoiler), that links to the underbody, helping reduce drag and increase high speed downforce.

It’s the front of the Fiat 500 Abarth that really shouts ‘This car is an animal!’. There are not so subtle differences from standard 500′s, like triple air intakes and twin intercoolers, and they had to extend the nose of the car to make room for the turbo. Inside, there are special instruments like a turbo boost gauge, and a shift-light LED to indicate the optimum moment to change up a gear. Aluminium pedals, leather steering wheel, and sporty bucket seats with combined head-restraints and lateral support ensure you’ll know you’re sitting in an Abarth. The current list price for the Fiat 500 Abarth is £13,600 (excluding any discounts), this model falls into insurance group 12 and will return an average of 42.9mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Nissan Micra 160 SR

Nissan Micra 160 SR

The Nissan Micra couldn’t be further from your mind when people mention hot hatchbacks and pocket rockets, to be perfectly honest I threw this car in to catch you off-guard. When I look at the Micra 160SR, I still a driving instructors sign on the roof, and with a badge like ’160SR’ you might be thinking 160bhp, er…. no, more like 110bhp, but don’t let that fool you, its still a nippy little car, a sort of ‘pig in sheeps clothing’, and I’m going to tell you a little about it anyway, think of it as morbid curiosity.

I mean, cmon, if Nissan’s design team truly believe this car is good looking, I’d hate to meet their wives. Anyway, If you compare this car to a standard Mini Cooper, with the Micras lower price and much higher power to weight ratio, it could give the Mini Cooper a serious run for its money, except for the fact that it’s a Nissan, so it’s packed full of Renault supplied chocolate raisins (the type of raisins that don’t smell very nice and should be flushed immediately after manufacture).

Allegedly, it was named the ’160 SR’ because that’s how many redundancies Nissan announced that day or something equally trivial to them, it’s Sad Really (SR). I wanted to say something positive about this car, but i’m struggling now so i’ll leave you with a question. Does your granny like fast cars? The current list price for the Nissan Micra 160 SR is £10,865 (excluding any discounts), under the hood is a 1.6 litre engine producing 110 bhp, this model falls into insurance group 6 and will return an average of 42.7mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Twingo Renaultsport

Renault Twingo Renaultsport

If you think of this car as being like one of those disposable bic razors you can buy anywhere, and the other 7 cars are gillete mach 3 turbos? Renault mechanics all over the world have a little song they sing while they’re working, -
i’m walking into town, cos my renault it broke down,
3 months old is it? the engine sounds like shit,
I know I was done, when I bought the car with a bum,
the dealer said it’s pretty, but now it’s driving shitty,
I put £99 down, and i’m still walking into town,
…mumble…mumble..,
..his ass was a little sore when he left the dealership that day….

If you’re completely insane and still want to buy a Renault, the current ridiculously expensive list price for the Twingo Renaultsport is £11,755 (excluding any discounts), under the hood is a 1.6 litre engine producing 135 bhp, this model falls into insurance group 8 and will return an average of 40.6mpg, it will also fall to pieces and spend most of its life broken down at the roadside or in for repairs at ‘disposable cars and ignorant customer service reps ltd’, or your local not so friendly, (unless you’re fully prepared to take one up the tailpipe on every visit) Renault dealer.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.

Volkswagen Polo GTi

Volkswagen Polo GTI
Certainly looks the part, but does’nt quite deliver the goods. Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.8 litre engine, and it doesn’t disappoint, it churns out 150 bhp 148bhp and 220Nm of torque, and will hit 60mph in 7.6 seconds. The engine certainly feels punchy and responsive, but the ride is too firm, on rough surfaces the suspensions is so hard, it feels like it’s broken. Driving long distance would very quickly become tiresome, the car also rolls around a bit and just does’nt feel planted. Having said all that, the brakes are sharp as a tack, although again, the brake pedal is a little spongey, it’s just full of annoying niggles that should not be an issue in a car of this calibre.

There is only one petrol engine in the line up, and it comes with either 3 or 5 doors, whichever floats your boat. The interior is the typical of the sombre offerings we have come to expect from volkswagen. The current list price for the Volkswagen Polo GTI is £15,150 (excluding any discounts), this model falls into insurance group 13 and will return an average of 36.4mpg.

I would like to remind readers of the car scrappage allowance currently in operation the uk, the scheme offers a £2000 discount when you trade in your old car. Certain vehicle age limitations apply, but some new car dealers are varying the restrictions in order to boost sales, so contact your local dealer to find out what they are currently offering.

More fuel economy related articles.