Motoring Newsbriefs

Oct 27 2009 Maurice Glover

Ford leads emissions cutsBRITAIN'S car scrappage incentive helped tailpipe emission figures take a dramatic fall in September.

Average CO2 output for all cars during the first nine months of the year was 150.6g/km, an improvement of 5.6 per cent over the same period of 2008.

The figure for cars sold under the scrappage scheme has been 131.8g/km, according to the Green Motoring Guide.

Ford is now above average in overall performance and rate of improvement with an average of 144.3g/km showing a reduction of 5.7 per cent over the same period last year.

According to the guide, the company is now ahead of its two largest UK rivals with Vauxhall at 152.7g/km and Volkswagen at 149.5g/km. The market leader also sells more cars under 120g/km of CO2 than any other manufacturer.

Reversing aidA NEW camera system promises to make light work of reversing a Suzuki Grand Vitara into tight parking spaces.

Working from a rear bumper-mounted wide-angle camera, the system shows the area behind the sport utility model on a screen in the rear view mirror as soon as reverse gear is selected.

The safety gadget costs £459 and can be fitted to three and five-door versions of the car.

Small size, big powerTHE NEXT new engine from Volkswagen is expected to prove that it is possible to get an automotive quart from a pint pot.

Despite having a capacity of only 1.2-litres, the German car group's latest TSI-series engine develops a healthy 103bhp - sufficient to provide Polo and Golf models with nippy performance, high economy and low tailpipe emissions.

Unveiled at a technical engineering event in Vienna, the motor is expected to be available in UK models early next year.

Producing 175Nm torque at only 1,500 revs, it demonstrates how smaller displacement units can provide a best-of-both-worlds blend of performance and operating economy by combining direct petrol injection with turbocharging.

Based on an aluminium crankcase, it features the low-friction parts and lightweight construction that have won the 1.4-litre TSI motor the Engine of the Year award each year since it was launched in 2006.

'While this engine represents an important step toward achieving the fleet target for CO2 emissions in our powertrain range, its performance allows the driver to enjoy comfortable and frugal driving in high gears at low engine revs without making any sacrifices in terms of agility.

'It means that saving fuel becomes fun - and the technology it uses offers further potential for reductions in consumption if it is combined with start-stop equipment or extended thermal management,' said a spokesman.

Van salesVAN sales are expected to reach a total of 182,800 this year - 45.8 per cent down on the total sold in 2007.

Next year, forecasters at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are expecting a small increase to 187,200, but that figure will still be 44.5 per cent down on the 337,741 units registered in the 12 months prior to the recession.

'We think 2011 should be better at 213,300 units, though that is still 36.8% down on the figure for 2007. These latest forecasts confirm that the recovery remains fragile and that the Government needs to continue to give priority to measures that support consumer and business confidence,' says chief executive Paul Everitt.

Tyre infoUNSURE about the correct size of tyre for your car? The answer is just a click away.

After research findings revealed most motorists are unable to match tyre sizes with their cars, major web based retailing group mytyres.co.uk has come to the rescue by making sizing and speed rating information available via computer.

'All motorists need to do is enter their car registration numbers on the site and they'll find out all they need to know, together with information on a choice of tyres for summer, all season, 4x4 and winter use. We can also provide details of availability of increasingly popular run-flat tyres.

'Internet buying continues to boom so when buying tyres online it is vital for safety reasons that motorists know exactly what they need,' said a spokesman.