Ford introduces the Fiesta and Focus ST-Line, all the looks and power for reasonable costs.

• Ford launches new ST-Line range of models inspired by Ford Performance vehicles and featuring bold styling, sporty driving dynamics and great value
• Fiesta ST-Line and Focus ST-Line are available to order now with sport suspension, unique body kits and alloy wheel designs; sport seats, steering wheel and interior details
• Powerful engine options include multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost with up to 140PS for Fiesta ST-Line; 1.5-litre EcoBoost with up to 182PS for Focus ST-Line
• Further two ST-Line models to follow before the end of the year

Ford today announced a new ST-Line model range for Europe, featuring vehicles with sporty styling inspired by Ford Performance and offering a range of powerful and efficient EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel powertrains.

ST-Line launches with the Fiesta ST-Line – priced from £15,645 – and Focus ST‑Line – priced from £20,595 – both available to order now.

Delivering bold exterior and interior designs inspired by Ford’s acclaimed Fiesta ST and Focus ST performance models, the new Focus ST-Line and Fiesta ST‑Line are designed for customers who aspire to the sporty image of Ford’s ST models – but do not require the full performance delivered by optimised ST engines and chassis with sports technologies.

Both Focus ST-Line and Fiesta ST‑Line are offered with a range of powerful engines including Ford’s multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine; sport suspension and body styling; unique alloy wheel designs; and sport seats, sport steering wheel and alloy pedals for the interior.

“With our new ST-Line range even more customers can experience sporty style and driving dynamics inspired by our most exciting Ford Performance line-up ever, that includes models such as the Focus RS, new Fiesta ST200 and Ford GT supercar” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “This year we expect to sell 40,000 performance cars in Europe, a 50 per cent increase compared with 2015, which in turn saw performance car sales rise by 61 per cent compared with 2014.”

Sporty styling

Available in 3-door and 5-door bodystyles, the Fiesta ST-Line is a sporty new addition to the UK’s best-selling car. The 5-door and estate Focus ST-Line models further enhance the appeal of the popular family car.

Ford ST-Line models deliver ST-inspired styling that includes:

• A honeycomb design for the trapezoidal front grille; fog lamps with dark surrounds; and a front bumper lip spoiler for Fiesta ST Line and bumper insert for Focus ST-Line
• A rear diffuser element and large rear roof spoiler for both models
• A black beltline beneath the windows, deep side-skirts and ST-Line exterior badging on the front wings
• Unique 17in alloy wheels for Fiesta ST-Line and Focus ST-Line, both in Rock Metallic Grey
• Sport seats with red stitching and a perforated leather ST-style steering wheel with grey stitching
• ST-style gear knob, a dark woven headliner, and ST-Line scuff plates

Powerful and efficient engines

The new Ford ST-Line models are available only with high-power engine derivatives that complement the enhanced driving dynamics delivered by sport suspension – lowered by 10mm.

The Fiesta ST-Line is offered with petrol engine options including:

• 100PS and 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost engines with five-speed manual transmission delivering 99g/km CO₂emissions and 65.7mpg fuel efficiency**
• 140PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost with five‑speed manual transmission delivering 104g/km CO₂ and 62.8mpg

Also offered for Fiesta ST-Line is Ford’s 95PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel with five-speed manual transmission, offering 94g/km CO₂ and 78.5mpg.

The Focus ST-Line is offered with petrol powertrains ranging from 125PS to 182PS and with six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions, including:

• 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost delivering from 108g/km CO₂ and 60.1mpg
• 150PS and 182PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost delivering from 127g/km CO₂ and 51.4mpg

Ford’s 1.5-litre TDCi diesel produces 120PS delivering 99g/km CO₂ and 74.3mpg; or 2.0-litre TDCi with 150PS delivering from 105g/km CO₂ and 70.6mpg are available on the Focus ST-Line with six-speed manual and six-speed PowerShift automatic transmissions.

Focus ST-Line will also feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters when an automatic transmission is specified.

“The new Fiesta ST-Line and Focus ST-Line will offer customers a chance to enjoy the famous fun-to-drive characteristics and great looks of Ford’s performance models in an exciting and affordable package with a broad range of petrol and diesel engines – and we will be introducing two further models later in the year,” de Waard said.

** The declared Fuel/Energy Consumptions, CO₂ emissions and electric range are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are specified for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. 

The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel/energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and electric range. CO₂ is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

Volkswagen supplies a large number of Caravelles to Saga and Titan holiday brands for VIP customer service.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles supplies 54 Caravelles to Saga and Titan
• New vehicles join firms’ existing fleet of VIP door-to-door Caravelles
• Caravelle’s comfort, reliability and build quality key to securing deal

Holidays with award-winning travel brands, Saga Holidays, Saga Cruises and Titan Travel, begin and end at their customers’ front doors. To ensure the best possible experience for travellers, Titan and Saga Travel has struck a new deal to update its fleet of Volkswagen Caravelles. 

This latest agreement will see Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles supply 54 new Caravelles as part of the travel group’s ongoing fleet replacement programme in 2016.

Offering a VIP Home Departure Service that runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Titan and Saga require a fleet of vehicles that offer comfort and reliability.  Their joint operation is built on an established fleet of more than 150 Volkswagen vehicles that covers more than 8.6 million miles and nearly 80,000 journeys every year. The Caravelle’s car-like comfort, excellent reliability and renowned build quality were key factors in securing the new deal.

Titan’s new sixth-generation Caravelles are equipped with rail-mounted black Nappa leather seats that comfortably transport up to six passengers while still providing ample room for holiday luggage. The new Caravelles also feature BlueMotion Technology as standard and come with adaptive cruise control to ensure a smooth, efficient and safe journey is achieved.

Andy Creba, head of transport for Titan and Saga Travel, commented: “We offer award-winning premium holiday packages to our customers and therefore demand high quality standards from all of our supplier partners. The Volkswagen Caravelle not only delivers on this but also provides excellent reliability and outstanding residual values.

“Our holidays begin the moment our customers step out their front doors. The comfort and refinement offered by the Caravelle allows us to provide a relaxed start and finish to our customers’ holidays helping to make their experience more special.”

Next Gen of Kia’s Award-Winning UVO Infotainment System Adds Embedded Telematics Solution.

Next Generation of Kia’s Award-Winning UVO Infotainment System Adds Embedded Telematics Solution Enables Greater Connectivity and Convenience

• Luxury Services provide owner access to new levels of telematics services and advanced vehicle operation free of any monthly fees or contracts
• Remote vehicle command and control from UVO Luxury¹ smartphone app or myuvo.com portal allows owners to securely monitor and access vehicle information

Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the next iteration of the company's innovative UVO infotainment and telematics system, known as UVO Luxury Services.  Exclusive to the 2016 K900, UVO Luxury Services includes premium features and functions, such as local search by Google^®, remote vehicle command and control and a dealership appointment system, all powered by LTE connectivity. 

“We are taking the UVO platform to yet another level of enhancement for the Kia customer by enabling drivers and passengers to use all of their personal technologies more safely and easily, while creating exceptional user experiences," said Henry Bzeih, chief technology strategist, KMA. 

The UVO Luxury Services app, which can be downloaded for free from iTunes^®2 or GooglePlay^TM3 via the Kia App store, and the myuvo.com web portal enable direct communication to the vehicle for features such as remote start/stop, remote preconditioning of the cabin temperature, and remote lock/unlock via the UVO app.  Integrated into the app is a full suite of My Car Zone features, which includes curfew and speed alerts and Geofence settings as well as Local Search powered by Google^®.  Also included is an embedded Google^®Local Search that enables users to search for POIs utilizing voice recognition technology. 

UVO Luxury Services is an enhanced telematics suite that offers a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, including 911 Connect, enhanced Roadside Assist, Automatic Diagnostics, Manual Diagnostics, Scheduled Diagnostics, Driving Information, Car Care Web, Vehicle Maintenance, and eServices Guide, many of which are run through the owner’s Smartphone equipped with the UVO Luxury Services app.

Available at no cost for the first five years of ownership with no subscription necessary, UVO Luxury Services utilizes an embedded connectivity solution powered by the Verizon^®4 network and an integral smartphone app to provide K900 owners with an innovative, real-time, in-vehicle connectivity experience.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts

1 No subscription fee for UVO Luxury Services. No charge for the Luxury Services app. App uses your smartphone cellular data service. Normal cellular service rates will apply.  Always drive safely and use caution.

2 iTunes® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

3 Google Play is a service mark of Google, Inc.

4 Verizon is a registered trademark of Verizon Trademark Services LLC

5 These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

** K900 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability. 

*** Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.

USA - KIA takes a couple more awards for the 2016 Model year Optima sedan and Sedona MPV

Kia’s Best-Selling Midsize Sedan and Award-Winning Multi-Purpose Vehicle Stand Out as Top Vehicles for Hispanic Families

• All-new 2016 Kia Optima Named Top Family Sedan
• 2016 Kia Sedona Tops the Minivan Category

On the heels of recent honors from Kelley Blue Book^® and J.D. Power^®, the 2016 Kia Optima and Sedona continue to accumulate awards and accolades with both being named amongst best cars of the year for Hispanic families by the Hispanic Motor Press Awards^®. 

The all-new 2016 Kia Optima topped the Family Sedan category, while the 2016 Sedona was named the best minivan of the year.

"Passionately designed and obsessively crafted, the all-new Optima and our Sedona minivan appeal to families of all backgrounds by delivering world-class styling and quality, cutting-edge technology and tremendous value," said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, KMA. 

"The Hispanic market is an incredibly important audience for Kia as well as the entire auto industry, and this recognition from the Hispanic Motor Press Awards validates two of our most recently redesigned our vehicles as favorites amongst this group."

Started in 2010, the Hispanic Motor Press Awards considers over 100 vehicles before selecting three final contenders in different categories. Each vehicle's features were assessed as they relate to the typical Hispanic family in the United States. 

The award vetting process includes test drives, mass market availability, and affordability data valuations. Judges also take into account overall design, comfort, safety, performance, functionality and overall value package when making their final selection.

Renault adds the new EDC automatic box to the ever popular Twingo City car.

• City car gains Renault’s EDC transmission as option
• Available in Dynamique TCe90 and Dynamique S TCe90 versions
• Number of further changes to the Twingo’s equipment available in Renault dealerships now
• Twingo with EDC transmission priced from £12,595 available to order now, with first deliveries from January

Renault’s Efficient Dual Clutch transmission, known as EDC, has been introduced on its ingenious urban runaround Twingo. The multiple award-winning city car gains the innovative automatic gearbox for the popular TCe90 engine just over a year after launch, resulting in a number of benefits for the customer.

The introduction on Twingo means that Renault's EDC transmission is now available across the majority of its range.  EDC is an automatic dual dry clutch transmission dispensing with the need for a clutch pedal. Gearshift control is of the 'P-R-N-D' type, plus an 'up/down' shift mode. The ideal gear is selected by an electronic control unit and gearshifts are both automatic and comfortable.

Available for £900 more than the equivalent manual version, the introduction of the EDC transmission offers the driver and passengers a smooth journey thanks to an ultrafast shift time of 290ms. The transmission’s ‘creep’ control also helps the driver in crawling traffic, pulling away gradually when the brake pedal is released. The EDC transmission also offers Hill Start Assist as standard, ensuring safe hill starts when partnered with the ‘creep’ control system.

The Twingo EDC’s 0.9-litre 90hp turbo engine is also available with Renault’s ECO mode, cutting fuel consumption by up to 10%. Actionable by the driver, the mode modifies the management of the gearbox ECU (Electronic Control Unit), enabling gear shifts at lower rpm.

Changes have also been made to the Twingo’s specification, with six-spoke 15” inch ‘Ariane’ alloy wheels becoming standard on Dynamique trim, replacing the 15” ‘Exception’ alloys. Customers will also be able to choose from the option of having extra-tinted rear windows on Dynamique and Dynamique S trim levels.

The five-door, four-seater Twingo is priced from £9,495. Its highly unusual rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout allows it to be both compact and spacious. Because the engine is mounted at an angle of 49 degrees to the vertical, the Twingo still manages to provide a capacious boot of between 219 (seats in cargo) and 980 litres (seats folded). Another highly beneficial effect of the mechanical layout is the class-leading turning circle of less than 8.6 metres, because the movement of the front wheels is not restricted by the engine.

The Twingo is available in four versions, powered by a choice of two three-cylinder engines – a 1.0-litre 70hp normally aspirated unit or a 0.9-litre 90hp turbo. Both endow the Twingo with to match its agile, nimble handling.

The Twingo is fully connected to the outside world through the standard smartphone-operated R&GO^®feature or Renault’s optional R-Link multimedia system with seven-inch touch-screen, and offers a huge range of personalisation options so that buyers can create a bespoke car. 

As with all new Renaults, Twingo is covered by a four-year warranty that offers unlimited-mileage cover in the first two years and then two further years of protection up to 100,000 miles.  Four years roadside assistance cover is also included. 

SMMT sales figures released confirm that Mitsubishi has won the pick-up sector in the important month of September.

SMMT sales figures released today confirm that Mitsubishi has cornered the pick-up sector in the important month of September. According to the SMMT, the iconic Mitsubishi L200 was the retail segment leader in September with a 46% market share. In addition, the launch of the award-winning L200 Series 5 has seen September retail sales increase by 62%, in a sector that is up by just 16%.

The month of September sees growth in sales across the whole Mitsubishi range, resulting from higher levels of marketing investment, a growing dealer network and the impact of the dramatic success of its Outlander plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV continues to lead its sector, accounting for 43% of sales since the beginning of the year, confirming that it is still the nation’s favourite choice of plug-in vehicle.

Mitsubishi’s innovative marketing strategy for the ASX, which highlights the lifestyle aspects of the sports crossover vehicle, increased sales last month by 34% against the same period last year.

Overall passenger vehicle sales are up 62% year-to-date, compared to a cross industry growth of just 7% and with the launch of the new Outlander PHEV and diesel models later this month, there is confidence that this trend will continue throughout the year.

Peugeot RCZ wins Diesel Sports car of the year for the fifth year running.

• Award-winning RCZ has established a strong niche, with highly distinctive character
• RCZ Sports Coupé brings many virtues to provide driving pleasure with efficiency
• 2.0-litre HDi 163 Diesel models account for over 40 per cent of UK RCZ sales  

The PEUGEOT RCZ, uniquely distinguished by its double-bubble roofline has been awarded the DieselCar magazine Sports Car of the Year Award 2014 – a title it has won for the past five years.

Combining a drop-dead, gorgeous style and an efficient and punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged Diesel engine, the RCZ Sports Coupé has the capability to deliver on so many fronts. Re-styled in 2013, the RCZ has a stylish yet practical disposition, able to fold its rear seats to reveal a cavernous boot space, while its sports seats hug the occupants.

Available in Sport trim from £23,950 or GT specification from £26,350, it represents impressive value with CO₂ at just 135g/km and economy on the Combined Drive Cycle of 54.3mpg, yet it can also accelerate to 62mph in 8.7 seconds on to a potential top speed of 137mph. Just a few of the many reasons it is a regular award-winning combination.

Ian Robertson, Editor of DieselCar, said: "The PEUGEOT RCZ offers a rewarding driving experience, agile handling and a well sorted ride, and frugal diesel power. It really is the icing on the cake for the sexily styled sports coupé."