Here"s a car that can...
Here"s a car that can see around corners! Japanese maker Mazda started public road trials of its Advanced Safety Vehicle, the ASV-4, which alerts drivers of oncoming traffic at blind corners.
1. Focus RS
1. Focus RS
Itò€™s a triple triumph for the blue oval! First up, the eagerly anticipated Focus RS has been confirmed as the UKò€™s most powerful front-wheel-drive production car. On sale now priced at Ò£24,995, the RS follows in the tyre tracks of the MkI which stopped production six years ago.
Power comes from a 301bhp 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine. But this car isnò€™t just a chipped version of the Focus ST; thereò€™s a catalogue of changes under the bonnet. Peak power arrives at 6,500rpm and maximum torque rises to 440Nm ò€“ a 38 per cent increase over the ST. A short-shift six-speed gearbox means the RS can hit 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 163mph.
Other changes include a wider track, limited slip diff and advanced suspension technology thatò€™s designed to avoid torque steer. The Focus RS is only available in green, blue or white.
2. Eco Fiesta
Britainò€™s cleanest new car is the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic. Green credentials including 76.3mpg fuel economy and 98g/km CO2 emissions helped it earn its title in a recent survey.
The website cleangreencars.co.uk ranked 3,600 production models by CO2 output, and the ECOnetic came top in the five-seat family car sector. The model is based on the 1.6-litre 90bhp diesel, but has a number of modifications including revised aerodynamics, new suspension and low rolling resistance tyres. The engine has also been recalibrated and thereò€™s a gearchange indicator on the dash.
More than 500 orders have already been taken for the car, which is priced Ò£12,445 and Ò£12,945 for the three and five-door respectively.
3. Ka
The lowest-possible insurance group ratings have been awarded to the new Ka. The entry-level Studio model is ranked as 1E, while every other variant, including the diesel in top-spec Zetec trim, is 2E.
The firm says the rating reflects the range of safety features available on the Ka, including reinforced door beams and shielded locks.
Industry data provider CAP, one of the agencies which advises on new car residual values, had more good news for cash-strapped buyers. It said petrol models will retain 39 per cent of their value, while the diesel will keep 41 per cent. On average, thatò€™s 14 per cent better than if you bought a MkI model now.