Author: MotorTorque Team
Published: 26 January 2009
The new Mazda3 hatch will go on sale in Europe in Spring 2009, promising a combination of sporty driving and dynamic design with environmental credentials and safety performance.
The new model is based on the same Ford C1 platform as the new Focus, and is longer and taller than the outgoing model, while the design brings the 3 into line with the new Mazda2 and Mazda6.
Inside there's a new multi-information display, Bluetooth, new sports seats, a ten-speaker BOSE stereo and interactive lighting.
Base, Touring, Touring+ and Sport trims will be available in Europe. Entry-level Base trim includes Emergency stop signal (ESS), DSC and traction control; front, side and
curtain airbags; active front head restraints, electric door mirrors, tilt and telescope steering
wheel adjustment, CD player with MP3 capability and
A hot hatch MPS version will be launched at the Geneva show in March.
A new Euro-V compliant 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with DPF will be available in Europe. This engine, also seen in the Mazda6, will come in two guises: a high-power 182bhp/295lb-ft version returning 50mpg; and a 148bhp/240lb-ft model returning 52mpg.
A 1.6-litre turbodiesel returns 62mpg and emits 199g/km.
1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines comprise petrol options. Stop-start technology will be installed on its 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines before the end of 2009. The petrol 1.4-litre is dropped from the range.
A DSG twin-clutch gearbox will be introduced in 2010.
The new Ford Focus advert features an orchestra playing instruments fashioned from parts of the 2008 Focus five-door hatchback.
The Ford Focus has long been seen as the class-leader for the hatchback segment, so will the 2008 model-year Focus live up to those heady heights?
Fancying buying a new car for 2008, but not sure what to plump for? Know your budget but don´t know your segments? Read our guide on the best new cars of 2008 by segment and see whether a supermini or a SUV suits you.
The all new Mini Cooper & Mini Cooper S have been revealed, and they boast a clever re-design that holds onto the traditional aspects of the iconic car.
The Abarth name is going to race back into motorsport and European showrooms next year.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March prior to its arrival in the UK this autumn. | 29/01/2009
We're not generally interested in celeb car endorsements, but this story from Volkswagen regarding Sir Jimmy Savile's purchase of a Volkswagen California caught our eye. | 29/01/2009
Ford has released the full technical specs for the new Focus RS - the FoMoCo's new flagship hot hatch. | 29/01/2009
Despite the economic downturn and drastic drop in new-car sales, auctions are increasingly popular for motorists searching for their next car. | 28/01/2009
Bentley has released an image of a new biofuel-powered model, due to go on display in Geneva come March, that it hopes will pave the way for an alt-fuel future for the luxury car-maker. | 28/01/2009
As a tough and versatile workhorse nothing really comes close to the Land Rover Defender Double Cab or the Defender range as a whole, but the number of customers really needing vehicles of this type is diminishing.
The new Mazda3 hatch will go on sale in Europe in Spring 2009, promising a combination of sporty driving and dynamic design with environmental credentials and safety performance.
The Nissan 370Z will be available to order from £26,895 when online ordering commences from 2 February. First customer deliveries are due in July.
GM has announced that it will debut the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera electric car at the Geneva Show in March - the European variant of the Chevrolet Volt.
Land Rover, now in its 61st year, might be owned by the Indian conglomerate TATA, but it remains as British as ever, built in Britain and in need of financial help from the British Government.
Around 400 people a day risk damaging their car by misfuelling, and filling up with gas is a mistake that could cost thousands. So what do you do if you´ve filled up your diesel car with unleaded petrol?
Euro Car Parts has acquired Pinco 1555 Ltd, including all 53 of LSUK's 53 branches, together with subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
Fuel protests similar to those that brought the UK to a halt in 2000 are being planned by a breakaway group of disaffected hauliers, according to press reports.
Euro Car Parts has put out a statement on the closure of LSUK, stating that a closure of the business was unavoidable due to a 'lack of support'.
LSUK, thought to have been rescused by Euro Car Parts, has been unexpectedly closed by the new owners with the loss of over 600 jobs.
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