BMW X models dominate results in Off Road magazine readers’ poll.
With their typical fun-to-drive qualities, superior all-wheel-drive technology and powerfully expressive styling, the BMW X models occupy a position all their own in their respective classes. The unique attractions of this concept, now successfully established in four different market segments, received further confirmation recently with an excellent showing in the latest readers’ poll by the German magazine Off Road. The BMW X5 was voted “Off-Roader of the Year” in the “Luxury SUV” category, while the BMW X1 and BMW X6 came first and second in the “Crossover” category and the BMW X3 took second place in the “SUV” category.
Topping off this strong result was a special award for the newest arrival in the BMW X family – with its launch countdown already under way, the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 took the Eco Award for its innovative powertrain. This first full-hybrid model from the BMW brand uses its highly intelligent combination of internal combustion engine and electric drive to maximise both performance and efficiency. These latest successes in the Off Road readers’ poll seamlessly continued BMW’s strong performance of the previous years. The “Off-Roader of the Year” awards, which are decided by the votes of an exceptionally knowledgeable readership, were first presented in 1982. This year readers chose from a field of 97 models in eight categories.
The BMW X5’s first place in the “Luxury SUV” category is a further indication that the Sports Activity Vehicle concept – a segment first pioneered by BMW in 1999 with the predecessor of the current model – is still a firm favourite. The combination of sporty on-road handling and surefooted off-road traction was a hit right from the start. With its intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, powerful and efficient engines and an interior which is both flexible and luxuriously equipped, the current BMW X 5 is doing even more to set the standards in its class.
In the “Crossover” category, first and second places both went to BMW. After some internal jockeying, last year’s winner, the BMW X6, was beaten into second place by its brand sibling the X1, which was launched on the market just five months ago. The X1’s concept – which extends the hallmark fun-to-drive qualities of a BMX X model to the premium compact segment – was instantly voted into the number one spot by Off Road’s readers. The BMW X1 impresses with its sporty handling, versatile interior and unrivalled efficiency for a vehicle in this category. The most fuel-efficient X1 is the BMW X1 sDrive18d, which achieves average fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100 km in the EU test cycle. The X1’s outstanding safety standards also earned it the highest Euro NCAP crash test rating of 5 stars. In spring 2010, two new engines will be added to the range with the arrival of the new BMW X1 sDrive18i entry-level model and the six-cylinder BMW X1 xDrive25i. The X1 line-up will then comprise three petrol and three diesel engines.
Meanwhile, the appeal of the BMW X6 remains as strong as ever. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupé delivers typical BMW driving pleasure in a unique form. Agility, responsive steering, directional stability and traction have been taken to a new level – in part thanks to Dynamic Performance Control, a technology that made its debut in this model. While the electronically controlled BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system splits the drive in a seamlessly variable ratio between the front and rear wheels to suit the current driving situation, DPC performs the same function between the rear wheels. The BMW X6 combines its outstanding dynamics with impressive efficiency, which will be further boosted by a revised engine line-up scheduled for spring 2010. The BMW X6 xDrive30d will then set new benchmarks, with an output of 180 kW/245 hp from its six-cylinder in-line diesel engine and improved average fuel consumption of 7.4 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle.
The original pioneer in its segment, the BMW X3 too impresses with still unsurpassed agile handling and surefooted traction on unsurfaced terrain. Its enduring popularity has played a major role in introducing new target groups to the benefits of the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Second place for the BMW X3 in the “SUV” category reflects the high popularity the BMW X3 continues to enjoy in its – now substantially expanded – segment. This model, which has raked in numerous awards for its outstanding reliability and safety, now comes in a choice of three petrol and four diesel versions, with power ratings ranging from 105 kW/143 hp to 210 kW/286 hp. The entry-level BMW X3 xDrive18d boasts exemplary fuel efficiency, with average EU fuel consumption of 6.2 litres/100 km.
The treacherous road conditions experienced over the last month have further boosted Land Rover sales in the UK.
Sales for January 2010 were up 58% versus January 2009 nearly doubling the industry average – with Discovery up 92%, Range Rover Sport up 66%, Freelander up 57% and Range Rover up 24%.
John Edwards, managing director, Land Rover said: "Heavy snow and icy conditions last month meant car buyers were looking for a vehicle that provides them with the all-terrain capability to keep them on the roads. In fact, we had double the hits on the landrover.co.uk website in January than we had last year.
"Land Rover has over 60 years of experience developing supremely capable vehicles that boast four-wheel drive and pioneering technology such as Terrain Response. These all help ensure that Land Rover owners have total peace of mind when travelling in wet and icy conditions."
The Discovery 4 was the most popular 4x4 review on Whatcar.com for the month of January and fifth most popular review overall.
Thanks to the introduction of the new 2010 model range, Land Rover now boasts the most efficient and technologically advanced line-up it has ever had. Demand has been strong since launch last year and has been strengthened by improving economic stability.
For more information or to book a test drive contact Barretts Land Rover in Ashford or Canterbury.
Barretts (Ashford) Land Rover. The Parade, Orbital Business Park, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0HT Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts (Canterbury) Land Rover. Broad Oak Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7PQ Tel: 01227 475475
Government Scrappage Scheme Deal Extended for new cars and vans.
Government Scrappage Scheme Extended for Honda new car sales.
Barretts Honda of Canterbury, Kent are pleased to announce that the government has announced that its car scrappage scheme is being extended by £100m or a further 100,000 vehicles.
The government has also announced that it will also lengthen the cut off point for the old cars being traded in by six months.
Meanwhile, van owners will be able to trade in their old commercial vehicle if it is more than eight years old, rather than the previous 10. The newly extended government scrappage allowance means that vans and commercial vehicles can be traded in against new Honda cars.
The government says the changes will come into effect as soon as possible, once formal agreement has been reached with all the vehicle manufacturers.
Barretts Honda are fully participating in the Government Scrappage Scheme and have great deals on new Honda cars on our website www.barrettshonda.com
Today we have announced 2 years 0% Finance on New Honda Jazz models sold and registered before 31 March 2010 the good news is that you can use your scrappage allowance towards the deposit. For more details follow this link>>>
For more information call Barretts Honda on 01227 866266 or email us here>>>
To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda you can now follow us on Twitter:
Barretts Honda of Canterbury are pleased to announce that the Honda Jazz is Britain’s best car for retaining its value according to Parker’s annual depreciation report which surveyed almost 300 model ranges.
As well as class-leading residual values, the latest Jazz – which went on sale in 2008 – offers many features of a bigger car such as load space, driving feel and high-spec equipment, but with the great fuel economy, low emissions and more affordable running costs of a small one, making it ideal for car leasing and contract hire customers.
And the Japanese carmaker can afford to be pretty smug at the moment, with its newly-launched CR-V set to boost the residuals at the larger end of the Honda model line-up. The 2.2-litre ES, likely to be the most popular variant, has a residual value of 39.1 per cent based on 3 years or 60,000 miles. Its nearest competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 Sport TDi, comes in at 38.9 per cent.
Residual Values
Residual values from CAP Monitor based on three years or 60,000 miles are:
Jazz 1.2 S (90PS) 42%
Jazz 1.2 SE (90PS) 43%
Jazz 1.4 ES (100PS) manual 44%
Jazz 1.4 EX (100PS) manual 44%
The Parker’s survey uses the value of cars, as if they were being sold privately, in good condition with 10,000 miles on the clock and compares this to their cost as new, 12 months earlier.
Small cars showed they are certainly the safest bet for depreciation, taking 35 of the top 40 places in the index.
The best performers of 2009
Honda Jazz (08 on) – £1379?2
Fiat 500 (08 on) – £1460?3
SEAT Ibiza (08 on) – £1552?4
Hyundai i10 (08 on) – £1650?5
Mazda 2 (07 on) – £1702?6
Kia Picanto (04 on) – £1760?7
VW Fox (06 on) – £1781?8
Suzuki Swift (05 on) – £1900?9
Toyota Aygo (05 on) – £2148?10
Mitsubishi i (07 on) – £2271
The biggest losers of 2009
Maybach 62 (03 on) – £127,526?2
Maybach 57 (03 on) – £115,253?3
Rolls-Royce Phantom (03 on) – £81,183?4
Bentley Arnage (98 on) – £66,040?5
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (05 on) – £51,627?6
Mercedes-Benz SL Class AMG (02 on) – £51,381?7
Bentley Cont. Flying Spur (05 on) – £47,080?8
Aston Martin DBS (08 on) – £41,347?9
Bentley Continental GT Coupe – £40,110?10
Ferrari F 430 (05 on) – £37,188
To be kept up to date on news, new products, offers and events at Barretts Honda please follow us on Twitter: BarrettsHonda
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today introduced the HSV-010 GT, which will compete in the GT500 class of the 2010 Super GT Series (managed and run by GTA Co., Ltd.).
The letters “HSV” stand for Honda Sports Velocity.
THE FREELANDER 2 ‘WHITE & BLACK’ SPECIAL EDITIONS FOR 2010
The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions are new entry-level additions to the Freelander 2 range for the 2010 model year, and will be on sale in January 2010, priced from £19,495 on-the-road.
The Special Editions are available in Alaska White and Santorini Black and both come with the Ebony cloth interior. They represent a lower entry price with a more generous specification and complement the new Freelander 2 Sport, also on sale at the start of next year.
The Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ models feature the six-speed manual 2.2-litre diesel powertrain, complete with keyless starter button and Land Rover’s intelligent Stop/Start e_technology which delivers combined fuel economy of 42.2mpg. Privacy glass, 17” alloy wheels and load space cover are also standard.
John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director said: “With a price less than £20,000 and the economical yet powerful diesel engine featuring intelligent Stop/Start technology, the Freelander 2 ‘White & Black’ Special Editions represent exceptional value for money in the compact SUV sector. Couple this with the vehicle’s enhanced styling and specification, the ‘Special Editions’ not only offer the Freelander 2’s trademark ever-ready versatility, but are pleasing to the pocket and to the discerning eye.”
The Freelander 2 is Land Rover’s best-selling model, with over 44,000 sold in the UK since launch in 2006. Sales so far for 2009 represent a 16% share of the sector.
For more information on any of the 2010 models or to book a test drive call your local Land Rover dealership.
Barretts of Ashford – Tel: 01233 506070
Barretts of Canterbury – Tel: 01227 475475
