New trim level added to Alfa's MiTo and Giulietta, the Sprint Specials, adds tech, kit and new finishes.

• New Collezione trim level joins the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta ranges offering even more equipment, luxury and elegance
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale adds performance-oriented equipment to the Sprint specification, including Brembo brakes, Quadrifoglio-style seats and sports suspension
• Alfa Romeo MiTo Collezione priced from £17,660 OTR with the Giulietta Collezione starting at £24,820
• Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale priced from £23,320

The Alfa Romeo MiTo and Alfa Romeo Giulietta ranges have both been enhanced by new trim levels. A new Collezione specification is available in both the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta models, while a new Sprint Speciale version joins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta range.

The Collezione versions are the new luxury flagships of their respective ranges, offering a more luxurious and elegant specification than the sporty QV Line models. In the case of the Alfa Romeo MiTo Collezione, standard equipment includes 17-inch ‘Collezione Bronze’ alloy wheels with matching bronze-effect door mirrors and satin-effect headlight and tail light surrounds.

The interior is trimmed in special Collezione cloth and eco-leather upholstery, with brown stitching on the flat-bottom steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake gaiter. A split-folding, three-seat rear bench, sports dials, special Collezione vintage floor mats and a Uconnect™ NAV infotainment system with TomTom satellite navigation and DAB radio round out the extremely high specification.

Offered with a choice of a 0.9-litre TwinAir Turbo 105hp or 1.4-litre Turbo Petrol 140hp engines (the latter with Alfa Romeo’s six-speed ALFA TCT twin-clutch transmission and uprated Brembo brakes as standard) the Alfa Romeo MiTo Collezione is priced at £17,660 OTR and £19,210 OTR respectively.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Collezione builds on high specification of the Exclusive trim level but stands out even further from the crowd thanks to its signature gloss-black painted roof with matching door mirrors, front and rear parking sensors and unique, dark-finish, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, the seats are trimmed in bespoke ‘Collezione’ leather with heating on the front seats and the luxurious ambience is complimented by a 6.5-inch Uconnect™ NAV system with advanced voice operated satellite navigation with 3D mapping and DAB digital radio as standard.

Prices for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Collezione start at £24,820 for the 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol 170hp six-speed manual, or £26,245 with the six-speed Alfa TCT twin-clutch transmission. The diesel Alfa Romeo Giulietta Collezione range starts at £25,680 for the 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp manual, with the 2.0 JTDM-2 175hp ALFA TCT version completing the new Collezione range at £27,840.

Amid all this luxury, Alfa Romeo hasn’t forgotten its cuore sportivo, however: A new Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale also joins the range, building on the specification of the Sprint model to offer ever more performance-oriented equipment. The Sprint Speciale adds sports suspension, 17-inch sports alloy wheels, Brembo brakes, aluminium pedals and Quadrifoglio-style sports seats as standard, along with dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, special silver dashboard trim, the ‘Visibility Pack’ and cruise control.

The Sprint Speciale engine range includes the 1.4 TB MultiAir 150hp, priced from £23,320 with a six-speed manual or £24,745 with the six-speed ALFA TCT (including steering-wheel mounted paddle-shifters). The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale powered by the 2.0 JTDM-2 150hp is priced from £24,180 while the 2.0 JTDM-2 175hp ALFA TCT version is priced from £26,340 OTR.

Volkswagen unveils sporty looking new R-Line Trim for the expanding Golf range.

Order books are now open for the stylish Golf R-Line, ahead of first deliveries in March, with prices starting from £24,190 (RRP OTR).

The R-Line specification sits above the GT model which includes Discover Navigation, sports suspension (lowered by approximately 10 mm), PreCrash preventive occupant protection as standard equipment.  The R-Line trim adds sporty design cues for an extra £995.

Styling features include R-Line rear spoiler, side skirts and radiator grille, bespoke air intakes,

R-Line front bumpers and fog lights, R-Line rear bumper and diffuser, and 17-inch Singapore alloy wheels.

In keeping with the sporty theme, the interior receives stainless steel pedals and front door sills, black lead grey inlays and door trims, Sports Race design front seats with R-Line logo, black rooflining, leather gear knob and gear lever gaiter and R-Line leather multifunction sports steering wheel.

Two engines are available: one petrol and one diesel.  The petrol option is Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre TSI engine with Active Cylinder Technology, which can deactivate two of the four cylinders for enhanced economy and returns up to 60.1 mpg on the combined cycle.  Delivering 150 PS between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm, the four-cylinder engine is twinned to a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed DSG.  It will reach 62 mph from a standing start in 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 134 mph.  

The diesel alternative is the popular 2.0-litre TDI with 150 PS which can return up to 68.9 mpg on the combined cycle, with CO₂ emissions ranging from 106 to 119 g/km.  A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, with a six-speed DSG also available.

Prices for the Golf hatchback range start at £17,175 (RRP OTR) for the entry-level 1.2-litre TSI petrol model.

For R-Line pricing see below, and for more information on the Golf and the rest of the Volkswagen range visit www.volkswagen.co.uk

Golf R-Line prices

Engine	Power PS	Doors	Gearbox	Combined mpg	CO2 g/km	Price, £ RRP OTR
1.4-litre TSI	150	3 door	6-speed man	60.1	109	24,190.00
1.4-litre TSI	150	5 door	6-speed man	58.9	112	24,845.00
1.4-litre TSI	150	5 door	7-speed DSG	60.1	110	26,260.00
2.0-litre TDI	150	3 door	6-speed man	68.9	106	24,695.00
2.0-litre TDI	150	5 door	6-speed man	68.9	106	25,350.00
2.0-litre TDI	150	5 door	6-speed DSG	62.8	119	26,765.00

Ford delivers two new Special Editions, The Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black.

• Ford reveals new two-tone Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black Edition models priced from £15,995
• Most powerful ever 1.0-litre volume production car debuts new 140PS version of Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, offering more power-per-litre than a Bugatti Veyron
• Fiesta Red and Black Editions achieve 0-62 mph in 9sec and 125mph top speed;  62.8mpg fuel efficiency and 104g CO₂/km emissions
• Race Red model with Panther Black roof and detailing plus Panther Black model with Race Red roof and detailing are inspired by demand for strong colour contrasts
• Renowned Fiesta driving dynamics are enhanced by sports suspension with tuned steering and revised gearing 

Meet the new Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black Edition twins -- two new Fiestas that combine head-turning looks, unexpected performance and excellent fuel efficiency.

Available to order now and in dealerships from September, the Fiesta Zetec S Red / Black Editions will be the most powerful 1.0-litre volume production cars ever.  The new 140PS version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost offers more power per litre than the Bugatti Veyron and the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

Inspired by global fashion trends for strong colour contrasts, the two-tone models are available in Race Red, complemented by Panther Black roof and detailing; and Panther Black, with Race Red roof and detailing.

“These two new Fiestas make an unquestionably bold statement on the road and will give drivers an equally distinctive experience behind the wheel with a sportier version of our 1.0-litre EcoBoost and enhancements to the Fiesta’s acclaimed ride and handling,” said Roelant de Waard, Ford’s European Marketing, Sales and Service vice president.

Distinctive design

The three-door models feature front upper and lower grille surrounds, front bumper aerofoil and mirror caps in contrasting colours, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels. The body kit offers front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and rear roof spoiler; and the contrasting colour roof on both models has been painted to achieve a consistent and higher quality gloss finish than can be achieved using a foil applique or sticker.

The models feature black leather sports steering wheel and gear lever gaiter with red stitching; black floor mats with red stitching; and charcoal black sport seats with contrasting red stitching and bolster exteriors.

“Both cars have an execution that’s bold, distinctive and contemporary, but the Red and Black present subtly different personalities that will appeal to different customers,” said John Mcleod, Ford’s European Vehicle Personalisation chief designer. “The more provocative car is the Black Edition – its red detailing and the grille surround deliver a high contrast for drivers that want to be noticed. The Red Edition car is highly expressive yet a little bit more subtle for the less exuberant owner.”

Most powerful 1.0-litre volume production car engine ever

The 140PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost features a unique calibration with new settings for turbocharger boost control, valve-timings, intercooler and throttle management to deliver 12 per cent more power and an even sportier driving experience with 0-62mph acceleration in 9sec and a top speed of 125 mph, while still delivering 62.8 mpg fuel efficiency and 104g CO₂/km emissions. *

“This new 140PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine now delivers more than twice the power on a litre-for-litre basis than its predecessor – the 1.6-litre 100PS engine that powered the sporty Fiesta S just 10 years ago,” said Andrew Fraser, Ford’s European Gasoline Calibration manager. “I believe this engine sets a new benchmark for power combined with fuel efficiency from a small petrol engine.”

Ford’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine was named International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013. Like the 100PS and 125PS versions of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost that were chosen by nearly 30 per cent of Fiesta customers in the first quarter of 2014, the 140PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost uses turbocharging, twin-independent Variable Cam Timing and high-pressure direct-injection technologies.**

The Ford Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black Editions further enhance driving appeal with revised gear ratios for the five-speed manual transmission and a sport suspension set-up. In addition to new shock absorber and spring settings, the sport suspension uses a stiffer rear axle and revised tuning for the Electronic Power Assisted Steering system delivering greater torque build-up for more steering feedback.

The new Fiesta was launched in late 2012 with dynamic new exterior design, refined interior and advanced Ford technologies including Ford SYNC voice-activated connectivity system, Active City Stop low-speed collision avoidance system, and MyKey; which enables parents to place certain restrictions on young drivers to promote safer driving.