TMW - The all new Citroen C3 - stylish looks, good driveability and frugal, what more do you need.

Citroen's biggest seller the C3 has just been renewed with an all new car, and this is so far removed from the car it replaces that it you would be forgiven for thinking that this was a bigger, better equipped and a car thats seriously good.

The C4 Cactus was the start of a new era for Citroen, and the C3 carries that forward, the brilliant airbump system is on the C3, not as big as you will find on the Cactus, but it works really well on this new car, along with the two colour scheme, brilliant looking alloys and the total new look makes this car one to beat.

The interior of the car is a little spartan, mainly due to the fact that it runs nearly everything from the touchscreen system, the same as the Cactus, and a brilliant idea this is, it gives the car an air of modernity, via the touchscreen infotainment system, along with the cost savings of numerous switches and wiring thus would incur.

The clean lines of the dash board are both familiar and modern, the hard plastics on the bulk of the dash, are softened by the soft material that runs across the dash infront of the passenger seat, added to which the stylised air vents, it gives the new C3 a great place to be.

The seating position can be adjusted in numerous positions so that you will easily be able to get comfortable, and the super light steering means you can fling the car about like a dodgem car, it really is a fun car to be in and drive, it is a very airy and roomy cabin, whether you're in the front or in the back, although getting in the back is a little tight for those of a more bulky demeanour.

Driving the car is a very easy proposition, the lightness of the steering, clutch and decent brakes, mean that you are able to control this car with ease, the lightness of the steering does not take away from the accuracy of where you send it, because again, this car is very able and precise.

The diesel engine is powerful, and pulls away with gusto, and getting up to motorway speeds is quick and effortless, once there the cruise control can keep you rolling along, the top speed of this model is 115mph with a CO2 emission of 95g/km, the brand states that this car is very frugal when it comes to sipping the diesel, with an 

• Urban Cycle 64.2mpg
• Extra Urban 88.3mpg
• Combined 76.3mpg

Although we could not get to these figures, we did manage to get a decent 64.1mpg which is a brilliant figure overall, especially as most of the driving was local roads, with a couple of journeys in between.

The car also has a dent amount of kit thrown in too, from

• Hill Start Assist
• Speed Limit Recognition and Speed Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Coffee Break Alert
• Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
• Alarm
• Mirror Screen with MirrorLink®, and Apple CarPlayTM
• 16" Matrix Alloy Wheels
• Wheel Arch Extentions
• 7" Touchscreen
• Leather Steering Wheel with Satin Chrome and Brilliant Black Inserts
• ConnectedCAM Citroen®
• Automatic Air-Conditioning
• Reversing Camera
• Airbump®
• Red Roof
• Front Fog Lights
• Dark Tinted Rear Windows

The car has a worlds first with the addition of a front view video camera, with the ability to take video and pictures, this can be connected to you iPhone, iPad, Laptop etc, this will be an ideal insurance buster, and assistant should there be any incident in-front of you, this along with the touchscreen are all accessible via your own brand of connectivity, like the navigation system, this will work via the touchscreen, along with other apps and programs.

Finally, the car is well endowed with space, with loads of cubby holes to the size of the boot, considering that this car is a supermini, it has a really good sized boot space, more than capable of taking more than a weeks family shopping, or luggage, put the seats down and you get acres of space, you will not be left wanting here for that, so, is this a good car, no, far from it, it is a brilliant car, from the stylish looks, good fuel consumption, space and driveability, this is a car you would be silly not to consider if you are in the market for a car in this class.

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Abarth launches two new films, to promote a special Limited Edition pack on the Abarth 595.

A new, limited edition Tricolore pack for Abarth’s stunning 595, is launched this week with two stylish new short films.

There will be just 300 packs available,  in a choice of red, white or blue. The Abarth 595 sporting this new pack is priced at £15,150 OTR, the high performance brand has just announced. One of each colour car was used in the new internet films, shot in Turin and London, which went live this week.

Entitled ‘The Real Italian Job’, the two social media mini-movies track the three Abarth 595s as they criss-cross the two famous European cities in a covert struggle to deliver ‘stolen’ Abarth plans to a mysterious recipient. 

The films are launched on-line a week ahead of the brand’s presence at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show and have achieved over half a million views across Abarth’s on-line platforms so far.

Applied to the Abarth 595, which is fitted with a 140 hp 1.4 Turbo T-Jet 16-valve engine and sporty five speed manual gearbox, the Tricolore pack includes a host of stylish equipment. The list includes 17-inch titanium ‘Formula’ alloy wheels, red brake callipers, black Abarth side stripes and mirror caps and unique steering wheel with Tricolore detailing.

Power steering, air conditioning, CD and MP3 with six speakers and Blue&Me^TM hands-free system are also all standard equipment.

“The Abarth 595 has always been an excellent car for fun, entertaining driving, even around towns and cities,” says Gerry Southerington, brand manager, Abarth UK. “And these new mini-movies show them perfectly in these surroundings, in two of the most famous cities in the world.

“With just 300 of the Tricolore packs available on the 595s, and at such a great price, we are sure we’ll attract a new wave of Abarth owners to come and join us. The hardest part will be deciding which colour to go for.”

The mini-movies can be seen on the following sites:

www.abarthcars.co.uk

www.youtube.com/AbarthCarsUK

www.facebook.com/AbarthUK

Hyundai UK continues with the fun videos to promote their products, this time the i20 and i20 Coupe.

• Hyundai Motor UK launches short-form comedy film to showcase its new models – the i20 small hatchback and the i20 Coupe. Film can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb07y7n6KkU
• Starring model, actress and TV presenter Kelly Brook alongside actor and comedian Tom Stourton
• Film is the fifth installment of the ‘Honest Series’ that has been devised and produced by award-winning London-based content agency Red Bee

Hyundai Motor UK today launches a new short-form comedy film featuring Kelly Brook and Tom Stourton to promote the New Generation i20 small hatchback car and the New Generation i20 Coupe.

This is the fifth episode of the ‘Honest Series’, which features hapless Hyundai car salesman, George who, as ever, has to deal with some difficult customers: this time a feuding couple who can’t agree over anything, let alone whether they want the i20 or the i20 Coupe. 

The couple are played by model, TV presenter and actress Kelly Brook and Tom Stourton –actor and comedian known for his role in BBC Three Sitcom ‘Siblings’. This pairs on-screen chemistry turns out to offer far more than viewers expect!

The series of films have been created and produced by Red Bee and designed to deliver engaging content with inherent social media currency - as well as showing off Hyundai’s model range, whilst upping the ante of the comedy.

Writer and director, Ollie Parsons explained: “We treated this series like a sitcom – not an ad - writing and producing it as you would any other TV comedy. This isn’t only about making the audience laugh; it is also about quickly engaging them with the story and establishing the characters.”

Adam Nickson, Head of Brand Strategy and Communications, says: “We wanted to push the boundaries with this new film and to entertain our audience.  The latest episode, featuring arguing couple Kelly Brook and Tom Stourton, plays out a situation that many consumers may be able to relate to - we just took things that one step further!   

“Laughter has long been known for its benefits to health and happiness but it’s also a great way of building positive social relationships and that’s precisely what we hope to achieve with this series.” 

This campaign is part of Hyundai’s comprehensive digital strategy that addresses the demands of today’s connected customers. 

Toyota Aygo Manga, David Vs Goliath, or a citycar against a giant monster.

In a David and Goliath on-screen grudge fight, Toyota’s new Aygo proves more than a match for a rampaging reptile.

Following the launch of the first Aygo Manga adventure, Toyota is pleased to announce the monster-slaying action story has been turned into an animated feature.

The short film follows the Heroine and her mighty Aygo as they save the city from destruction at the claws of a rampaging dinosaur. Created by Manga artist Sonia Leong, the tale puts Toyota’s new city car at the heart of the action, while making subtle references to some of the classic Toyota models of the past as the mini-epic unfolds.

The new movie featuring Sonia’s original artwork was created by animation team U-R-ILL™ and edited by Mark Gravil It is free to view now on Toyota’s official UK blog, YouTube channel and Facebook page. You can also keep up with the buzz about the project using #aygomanga on Twitter.

Honda 'The Other Side' - Trailer, the road to the new Type R.

A new interactive online film from Honda launches on 30^th October, bringing to life the brand’s ‘other side’ ahead of the hotly-anticipated launch of the new Civic Type R in 2015.

Honda is renowned for its reputation of engineering excellence, technology and reliability. But it’s the brand’s ‘other side’, born from a racing heritage and thirst for innovation, which this campaign heroes.

During 2015 Honda will launch the all-new Civic Type R – promising to be the most extreme and high-performing model to wear the famous ‘Red H’ badge – perfectly embodying this other side of the marque. As the film asserts, Type R is the wild child alter-ego of the Civic hatchback that customers know and trust.

The Other Side aims to bring to life these two sides of Honda by putting fans at the heart of a high-adrenaline dual narrative. The story unfolds in two parallel tales, one set during the day and the other at night. The daytime story sees a father picking his daughter up from school in his white Civic and driving her to a surprise party. By contrast the night-time narrative shows the father’s other side - an undercover cop driving a crew of art thieves to a police sting, in a head-turning red Type R. While very different in tone, the two stories mirror each other perfectly in their composition.

The Other Side opens with the Civic in the daytime, with titles prompting interaction as they roll. From here the viewer can switch between the Civic and the Type R narrative, simply by pressing the ‘R’ button on their keyboard. The effect is dramatic and heart-racing, a big enjoyable gear shift between stories echoing the sensation of pressing the new Type R’s ‘R’ button to activate ‘Race Mode’.

A press of the ‘R’ button puts the director’s cut into the viewers’ hands, allowing them to switch in real time between two mirrored story lines. Through sound design and seamlessly matched scenes, you can’t help but feel the power of Honda’s other side.

The Other Side launches on YouTube on October 30th, kicking off a pan-European campaign set to continue through 2015. See the interactive experience here: hondatheotherside.com. 

Martin Moll, Honda Motor Europe’s Head of Marketing, says, “This campaign marks a very significant time for our brand. The Civic Type R is one of four new car launches for Honda in 2015 and provides a powerful halo-effect for the marque. Just as our products are renowned for being innovative, our communications style will amplify this. By way of example, we are not aware of anyone else creating interactive user content in the same dramatic way, which should give it a very strong appeal.“

Honda UK spearheaded the campaign, investing in large-scale media support across TV, digital and social channels throughout November. The campaign kicked off with a launch event for journalists and influencers, allowing them to discover Honda’s other side for themselves in personal interactive cinema booths and get up close and personal with the Type R Concept car.

The Other Side was shot by acclaimed director Daniel Wolfe, the creative force behind award-winning commercials, music videos and the recent Cannes Film Festival highlight ‘Catch Me Daddy’. Music was scored by Bobby Krlic of The Haxan Cloak.

Scott Dungate, Creative Director at Wieden+Kennedy London, says, “The beauty of this idea is in the simplicity of the interaction. The simple act of pressing ‘R’ empowers the viewer to drive film, toggling between the two stories. It’s very satisfying and addictive jumping from the Civic day world to the high octane night world of the Type R. It’s like going into race mode, and putting your foot down. You get a sense of power and excitement. Through this we hope people will feel Honda’s other side as well as see it.’

Daniel Wolfe, director at Somesuch says: “I love this idea, the raw simplicity of just one button. Type R. The user creates the cuts. Jumps between worlds. It was a joy to work on: create two dual narratives that weave in and out. Get to work with Jean-Philippe Ricci, Slimane Dazi and Mourad Frarema. Shoot on 35mm with Robbie Ryan. Create the two sides of the Honda world, and bring them into collision. Honda has a heritage of great advertising, and it was a pleasure to work with the Wiedens team on this project.”

Nissan creates world's biggest Zorb…with a car in it

• Nissan Note in 'CarZorb' brings Safety Shield technology to life
• Two-storey high ball delivers a new twist on the popular pastime
• Massive ‘bubble’ highlights how technology can keep cars safe

 Nissan has created the world's biggest working Zorb, complete with a full-sized Note safely cushioned inside.

The giant inflatable ball, which measures six metres in diameter and more than 18 metres in circumference, was constructed to highlight Nissan's Safety Shield technology featured on the Nissan Note, its popular small family car.

Nicknamed the 'CarZorb', the colossal structure was successfully rolled down a course of steep hills in a two-minute film released today.

Originating in New Zealand, Zorbing sees thrill seekers roll downhill inside an orb made of strong wearing inflatable plastic. The Zorb is usually made of two inflatable layers, shielding the individual inside from outside dangers.

To demonstrate its Safety Shield technology, Nissan took the popular pastime one step further and built a bespoke Zorb capable of holding the Note. The CarZorb was then tested at a top-secret military training facility in the UK.

Nissan’s CarZorb, which took more than two months to build and weighs more than a tonne, was designed to visually represent the manufacturer’s Safety Shield technology – a suite of driver assistance technology to alert motorists to potential hazards.

The stunt comes as the all-new Note celebrates its first anniversary on Europe’s roads.

The Nissan Note is packed with innovative technology designed to make driving safer. Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection combine to form the Nissan Safety Shield. This unique package is powered by 360° Around View Monitor technology which relies on the unique self-cleaning rear camera – an innovation already breaking new ground in the segment.

Bastien Schupp, Vice President Strategy & Marketing, comments, “The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to provide motorists with a whole range of technology that creates a protective bubble around you and your car. Our Safety Shield technology in particular is unrivalled amongst other small family cars.

“Creating a life size CarZorb to highlight the technology is an exciting and memorable way of reminding people about the benefits of Nissan’s Safety Shield.”

Making premium technology and sharp design accessible is at the core of the Nissan Note's appeal, with innovative thinking applied to all aspects of its design and engineering.

Jaguar F-Type crashed at Jaguar Simola Hillclimb

Driving schools across the world strive to teach their students methods of fighting negative reactions and replacing these with proper performance driving rules. Nonetheless, what do you do when a driver pushes his car hard and then fails to show any reaction at all?

This is what seems to have happened with the Jaguar F-Type in the adjacent video, which was flipped over during a South African hillclimb event. To set things straight form the beginning, we have to explain we are dealing with a Jaguar F-Type V6 S here, similar to the one we drove last year.

What we can tell you is that this is one tail-happy feline. This shows in the beginning of the clip, where the F-Type exits a left-hander sliding to the point where the right rear side ends up stepping outside the road. The sportscar was being pushed hard during the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb event in Knysna.

The driver does appear to correct the oversteering tendencies of the F-Type, but this is where the logical part of the story ends. From this point on, the wheels of the sports car appear to be kept in a straight position, as if the driver would’ve done absolutely nothing with the steering wheel.

The car obviously continues to go straight and ends up... climbing the landscape on the other side of the road. At first we thought we could’ve been dealing with a case of plow-through understeer, but this wasn’t so. The driver actually failed to do anything with the wheel once the car recovered from the slide.

The F-Type flipped over multiple times, eventually landing back on its wheels. In this violent process, the car also lost a wheel. As it appears, the passive safety aura of the car worked pretty well, as we can see the driver exiting the vehicle after the accident.

Skoda's ‘King Size’ buggy is the ultimate accessory for new dads

• All terrain ‘ vRS Mega Man-Pram’ is the ultimate baby carrier and ‘fit for a king’
• 76% of dads would spend more time pushing baby if their pram had a higher design spec’
• Pram features in new advert which debuts on YouTube today

ŠKODA has unveiled the ultimate baby buggy, dubbed the ‘vRS Mega Man-Pram’ – a high performance vehicle that has been designed to provide the ultimate baby transportation experience.

To celebrate the launch of the Octavia vRS – the fastest ŠKODA ever – the company gave a team of engineers the task of bringing the same qualities that go into the car to other everyday objects.  These included the vRS Man-Pram and were highlighted in a new ad launching the third-generation Octavia vRS.

The pram’s vRS style makeover fits perfectly with a ŠKODA-commissioned survey of 1,000 dads which found that two thirds (76%) admitted they would spend more time pushing baby if they had access to a higher spec and more stylish buggy.

The result is a remarkable baby carriage: standing two metres high, the buggy comes complete with wing mirrors, hydraulic suspension, 20 inch alloy wheels, oversized brake callipers, anti-stress grips and a headlamp beam for night walks. Tots lucky enough to be carried on board can look forward to “sports-style upholstery” and “adjustable lumbar support”.

Heidi Cartledge, Head of Marketing at ŠKODA UK comments: ‘The ‘vRS Mega Man-Pram’ proves what you can do when you take the vRS vision off road and drive it straight into the nursery.  We used it in the new Octavia vRS TV ad because we wanted to bring to life the idea of enhancing the performance of everyday objects. The high tech-buggy gives a tongue in cheek sense of what you could experience if you vRS’d your life’.

The ŠKODA survey of British dads uncovered the most desirable additions to a high tech stroller which were reflected in the ‘vRS Mega Man-Pram’ design.

The full spec includes;

• Wing mirrors
• High spec brakes including brake lights
• High-beam headlamp
• Hydraulic suspension
• 20 inch alloy wheels
• All terrain tyres
• Oversized brake callipers
• Anti-stress push-bar grips
• Sports-style upholstery

The ‘vRS Mega Man-Pram’ features in the new advert for the Octavia vRS, which debuts exclusively on YouTube today http://youtu.be/BgZluCEBS6w.

Survey findings:

1,000 dads were surveyed revealing the following:

• 76% would be more inclined to spend more time pushing baby if they had access to a stylish, high spec buggy.
• The top five additions they would like to see were listed as: muscular design (25%), large alloy wheels to give enhanced height (22%), hydraulic suspension system (16%), high spec brakes including brake lights (15%) and wing mirrors (12%).
• A third of British dads (33%) admitted they sometimes feel embarrassed pushing conventional prams whilst one in four (25%) always insist that their partner pushes the pram when out for walks together.
• British dads use baby buggies for an average of 1 hour each week.

Just for Fun - A few car adverts from around the world

Just for fun, and to see how things have changed over the years, a few TV adverts, this time I have chosen AUDI, if you want me to do some on another brand reply to this post and I will do some more at a later date.

In the mean time, ENJOY........