This wild looking Jazz...
This wild looking Jazz is the work of Honda"s equivalent of Mercedes AMG division, and is fully loaded with MUGEN accessories that include: 16-inch alloy wheels, aluminum oil filler cap, front sports grille, front under spoiler, side spoiler, rear under spoiler, sports silencer, rear emblem, quick shifter, shift knob, sports pedals (MT), sports floor mats and a mirror cover. Far from being a concept the parts on this show car will be available to US buyers through Honda dealers. There"s no word on availability in the UK, however, a MUGEN spokesperson said they would be happy to supply British owners, if there was enough demand.
The Fiat 500 has only...
The Fiat 500 has only been on sale officially for a fortnight, but already it’s selling like hot cakes. And it’s not only the Italian maker that’s cashing in on the supermini’s popularity – some shrewd buyers are putting their orders up for auction!
A ring round of Fiat dealers has revealed that the entire UK allocation of 4,500 cars has already been snapped up. There’s now a waiting list of up to 12 weeks for customers placing orders, according to Steve Burrows, owner of Middleton Garage, Bognor, West Sussex. He added: “It could be as long as four to six months. The only way to get one earlier is to be flexible on the spec, and hope someone cancels their order.”
Alternatively, potential buyers can visit eBay. A number of right-hand-drive examples have found their way on to the popular website and are being sold at a profit. This is almost unheard of for a mass-produced hatch – but great news for its residual values in the used market.
Some Fiat dealers are now even resorting to placing classified ads on eBay, offering the car at list price.
With its mix of economy, vintage styling and a range-topping price tag that’s still ÷£900 less than an entry-level MINI, the 500 has clearly set its sights on stealing sales from its rival retro hatch.
What’s more, it seems to be working, according to one Fiat dealer. Andrew Singleton of Moss Rose Motors in Macclesfield, Cheshire, said: “It’s absolutely crazy. I have never seen so many MINIs parked outside our showroom while the owners check out our new 500!”