Topgear News

The sporty new Fiat Panda 100HP, ‘flagship’ of a revised and expanded 2007 Panda range, has just gone on sale in the UK.

The arrival of the Panda 100HP boosts the UK range to nine versions with a choice of six trim levels – Active, Dynamic, Dynamic Aircon, Dynamic Sky Dome, Eleganza, Alessi, 4×4 and 100HP – each offering unprecedented levels of equipment in this segment.

The two special equipment upgrades to the Dynamic version offer additional features of a value far exceeding the individual Pack costs. Panda Alessi, 4×4 and 100HP versions each benefit from unique, bespoke trim and equipment specifications.

Ford has delivered the 150th Ford Focus Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) registered in Britain to the National Farmers'’ Union. Vice president Paul Temple is using the car, which can run on bioethanol made from UK-grown crops such as wheat and sugar beet.

Over one million hectares of arable land in this country could be turned over to biofuel crops without affecting food production. Ford’’s Focus FFV and C-MAX FFV can run on any mix of bioethanol or petrol in the same fuel tank.

According to This Is Money, motorists could be hit by increasing costs as one of the UK’s biggest car insurer looks set to raise its premiums by 20% in 2007.
Insurance giant Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance, which owns brands such as Direct Line, Churchill and Privilege, has admitted that it is starting to increase premiums, following an earlier move by Norwich Union, which increased rates by 40%.

AdvertisementThe increases are claimed to be in response to the growing costs of personal injury claims, taking into account associated medical bills, compensation and legal fees. In addition, the insurance industry is also suffering from the rising problem of accidents caused by drivers without insurance.

With the release of the first official images of the Volvo XC60 Concept, Volvo’s newest concept is set to take center stage at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. Integrating both the unmistakable, muscular XC-versatility and the sporty charisma of a coupe, the XC60 Concept is a preview of the new production Volvo XC60 that is planned to reach showrooms at the beginning of 2009.

“One might say that this could be the C30-owner’s next car; equally sporty and exciting, but with more cargo capacity. The XC60 Concept offers a good indication of how the “real” XC60 will look,” said Fredrik Arp, President and CEO at Volvo Cars.

MINI will be unveiling a new addition to its Convertible range at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

The popular carmaker will present the Sidewalk model for the first time on 6 January in Detroit.

When the Sidewalk hits MINI dealers from April 2007, MINI fans will have the opportunity to get their hands on a fresh model boasting some luxurious design enhancements.

Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said: “The MINI One Seven, Cooper Park Lane and Cooper S Checkmate editions of the MINI hatch have been hugely popular, with nearly 8,000 models sold in the UK in just 12 months. We are confident that Sidewalk will offer the same exclusivity and maximum value for Convertible customers.”

Despite widespread rumours that the basic skeleton of the model shown here was a top-secret McLaren test car, the bare chassis is actually a technology mule for a group of University of Munich designers.

Unveiled at last week’s Essen Motor Show, the EHV - Experimental Handling Vehicle - has some heavyweight backers. Public investors include BMW, MINI, Mercedes, Audi, Brembo and Pirelli. They are all hoping that, in working together, they can develop cost-effective technology for use in a wide range of models.

THE first of York’s pay by the hour cars have arrived.

York residents can finally get their hands on a pay by the hour car after the company behind the scheme, WhizzGo, has taken delivery of a fleet of specially adapted Citron C3’s.

York St John University is the first corporate member to sign up to the eco-friendly club.

As part of a partnership between the WhizzGo car club and City of York Council, the Citron C3 Stop & Start cars will help to reduce CO2 emissions and cut urban fuel bills.