Top 10: Irish car sales 2011

Despite continued bleak economic conditions, the Irish car market managed to grow slightly during 2011. Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that total registrations were 89,904, an increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year’s 88,373.



Around 12,000 of 2011’s sales were due to the scrappage scheme, which closed at the end of June. This gave Vehicle Registration Tax relief of €1,250 per new car, provided that the customer’s trade-in was at least ten-years-old.



While the Focus was the most popular model, Ford slumped to third place in the manufacturers’ rankings. That left Toyota to take the top spot, closely followed by Volkswagen.

Ireland's most popular car in 2011: The Ford Focus.

BMW slipped into the top ten, thanks mainly to 2,163 new 5 Series registrations. The entire Mercedes-Benz range combined couldn’t beat that performance, which contributed to BMW achieving a massive 37.7% year-on-year sales upsurge.



Even that wasn’t quite enough to beat rivals Audi, though, because it too experienced an impressive growth rate and ended the year with 3,464 registrations.



The other stand-out success was Hyundai, which posted 1,052 extra sales compared to 2010.

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Manufacturer
Position	Manufacturer	2011	2010	+/-	% +/-
1	Toyota	11,812	10,660	1,152	10.8%
2	Volkswagen	11,247	10,301	946	9.2%
3	Ford	10,519	11,215	-696	-6.2%
4	Renault	8,580	9,746	-1,166	-12.0%
5	Nissan	6,763	5,494	1,269	23.1%
6	Opel	6,387	6,603	-216	-3.3%
7	Škoda	4,651	4,915	-264	-5.4%
8	Hyundai	4,011	2,959	1,052	35.6%
9	Audi	3,464	2,723	741	27.2%
10	BMW	3,433	2,493	940	37.7%
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Top 10: Irish Car Sales 2011 - By Model
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Focus	4,242
2	Volkswagen	Golf	3,980
3	Toyota	Avensis	3,661
4	Renault	Fluence	3,016
5	Volkswagen	Passat Saloon	2,975
6	Ford	Fiesta	2,953
7	Nissan	Qashqai	2,653
8	Toyota	Corolla	2,592
9	Renault	Mégane	2,530
10	Toyota	Yaris	2,311
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Related posts:

Top 10: UK car sales 2011
Top 10: Irish car sales 2010

New Mégane Floride edition

Car manufacturers frequently look to their pasts when creating new models, and that’s exactly what Renault has done for the limited edition Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Floride.



Recalling the rear-engined Floride that was originally launched in the late 1950s, the 2012 version will be restricted to 1,600 examples, of which 250 are earmarked for France.

The special ivory paintwork is suitably retro-chic, and the matching 17” Sari alloy wheels are an individual touch. It’s a colour that certainly looks attractive in a Mediterranean setting, but whether it’ll be as smart in the middle of winter covered with a layer of road grime remains to be seen. If the ivory finish doesn’t appeal, buyers will be able to choose red instead (although not in France, for some reason).



Complementing the exterior is a stylish two-tone ivory and red leather interior, which comes complete with a ‘Floride’ chrome badge for the dashboard, a numbered plaque on the centre console and bespoke carpet mats.

Equipment levels for the Floride are generous, and include Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic climate control, parking sensors front and rear, mesh and glass wind deflectors, electric folding door mirrors and cruise control.



Engine availability will vary by market, and in France it’ll be restricted to a 1,870 cc dCi turbodiesel that produces 128 bhp (96 kW / 130 PS). With a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph (205 km/h) it’s certainly no sports car, but then that’s not what the Floride is about.

The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Floride is priced at €33,100 in France (around £28,450 at current exchange rates), and it’s available to order now. A public debut is scheduled for January’s Brussels Motor Show.



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Micra becomes Pulse

If the just-revealed Renault Pulse looks familiar, that’s because it’s basically a Nissan Micra with restyled front and rear ends.



Intended as Renault’s third model (after the Koleos and Fluence) for the Indian market, the compact hatchback is expected to become the firm’s biggest seller in that country. It’ll be followed by a re-badged Dacia Duster and a new saloon model next year.

Although full specifications have yet to be released, expect the Pulse to use the same range of petrol and diesel engines as the Micra.

The Renault Pulse will be manufactured alongside the Micra at the Renault-Nissan Chennai plant, and sales are due to begin in January 2012. There’s no word on whether it will be coming to Europe but, with the Clio and Twingo already available, it’s probably very unlikely.



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Audi TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI

TT Coupé ownership just became a bit more affordable. Previously, the cheapest model was the £27,140 2.0 TFSI Sport, but now Audi has introduced 1.8 TFSI versions which cost from £24,070 on the road.



Offering the smaller turbocharged petrol engine in the Coupé was a fairly obvious move though, as it’s already available in the TT Roadster.

A respectable 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) and 250 Nm (184 lb/ft) of peak torque allows the TT Coupé to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds and achieve a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h), while still managing 44.1 mpg (6.4 l/100km) on the combined cycle.



With the optional seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission in place of the standard six-speed manual gearbox, those figures remain the same, except that the 0-62 mph time reduces a little to 7.1 seconds.



Two trim grades will be available with the 1.8 TFSI engine. Sport variants come with leather and Alcantara upholstery, MP3 player connectivity, climate control and 17” alloy wheels. Alternatively, the S line model has sports suspension, 18” wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and a short-shift gearbox on manual cars.



An obvious competitor to the TT Coupé 1.8 TFSI is the Scirocco from sister brand Volkswagen. £24,705 will buy the GT 2.0 TSI, which has the more powerful 207 bhp (154 kW / 210 PS) engine. Consequently it’s quicker than the Audi, with 0-62 mph taking 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph (239 km/h), but average fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg (7.4 l/100km) is worse.



Rear-wheel drive enthusiasts should also consider the BMW 120i SE Coupé. At £23,965, it’s virtually the same price as the entry-level TT Coupé, and its power output is similar at 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). However, a 0-62 mph time of 7.8 seconds, top speed of 139 mph (223 km/h) and combined 43.5 mpg (6.5 l/100km) are all slightly inferior.



For a combination of performance and value, all three of those models are eclipsed by the Renault Mégane Coupé Renaultsport 250 Cup. It costs £24,020, yet boasts 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) and an impressive 340 Nm (250 lb/ft) of torque. As a result, the Mégane will do the 0-62 mph sprint in 6.1 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). The downside is comparatively disappointing consumption of 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km).



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Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider

Renault has unveiled the Raider, another limited edition version of its Clio Renaultsport 200. On sale from the end of this month, only 50 examples will be available in the UK.

Changes from the standard model are mainly cosmetic. The exterior is finished in Stealth Grey or Diavolo Red matt Renault i.d. paintwork, with a gloss black roof and various other bits of trim. Completing the effect is darker rear-side and tailgate glass.



The Raider gets the Cup chassis set-up as standard, but the only other technical upgrade is the fitment of larger 18” Interlagos alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone RE 050A tyres.

All the remaining extra equipment is on the inside, where a few normally optional items such as Bluetooth, leather Recaro seats and USB connectivity are included in the specification. Additionally, each car gets a commemorative numbered plaque showing its build number, and buyers can choose from either the RenaultSport Monitor telemetry or Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation systems as a no-cost option.



However, whether the overall package is good value is hard to tell, as pricing for the Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider has yet to be confirmed.



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Twingo gets a facelift

Ahead of an official unveiling at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault has released the first image of its facelifted Twingo.

The external changes, which herald Renault’s new brand identity, are concentrated on the front of the car. There’s a larger, more prominent Renault badge and a pair of large circular fog lights that seem to have been strongly influenced by those on the Nissan Juke.



Overall, it’s a good look that certainly fixes one of the current Twingo’s problems - namely a fairly nondescript, somewhat anonymous appearance.



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Renaultsport Silverstone GP

Following the launch last month of the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, it’s now the turn of Renault’s smaller models to get the limited edition treatment.



The Twingo and Clio Renaultsport Silverstone GP, which are available to order now, have been created specially for the UK market.

Both cars feature silver metallic paint, while the roof, mirror caps and 17” alloy wheels are all finished in black. They also get the Cup chassis, dark-tinted rear windows, black Renaultsport carpet mats, a pair of badges for the B-pillars and the Renaultsport Monitor which logs various performance parameters.



Additionally, the Twingo’s specification includes a ‘Deep Black’ rear spoiler and fog light surrounds, plus a stainless steel Renaultsport exhaust system. Exclusive to the Clio version are Renaultsport Recaro front seats, the TunePoint portable music player system and Bluetooth.

Only fifty examples of each are to be produced, with the build number commemorated on a dashboard plaque. Fittingly, every buyer will also be offered a free Renaultsport Experience day at the Silverstone track.



The on the road price for the Twingo Renaultsport 133 Silverstone GP is £14,995, while the Clio Renaultsport 200 Silverstone GP costs £19,995.

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Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy

Renault has announced the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, a car that it’s touting as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf R.

As the name implies, the new arrival has had a modest power increase compared to the existing Mégane Renaultsport 250. Its 2.0 litre engine now produces 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) and 360 Nm (265 lb/ft) of peak torque, courtesy of a revised air intake and a rise in turbo boost pressure from 2.3 to 2.5 bar.



The effect on performance isn’t spectacular, though. Top speed rises from 156 mph (251 km/h) to 158 mph (254 km/h), while the Mégane’s zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time falls from 6.1 to 6.0 seconds. Perhaps surprisingly there’s no adverse effect on efficiency, with average fuel consumption and CO2 emissions remaining at 34.4 mpg (8.2 l/100km) and 190 g/km respectively.



By contrast, the all-wheel drive Golf R will ‘only’ hit 155 mph (250 km/h), but its 0-62 mph time of 5.7 seconds (or 5.5 seconds with the optional DSG transmission) comfortably surpasses that of the Renault. Volkswagen’s offering is marginally less economical though, managing 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle, while its CO2 figure with the standard manual gearbox is a high 199 g/km.

Another important area where the Mégane beats its opponent is price. In the UK, the three-door Golf R has a price tag of £31,115 on the road, but the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy costs £27,820.



So quite a saving, but it assumes potential customers will actually be able to get their hands on the Renault. That’s because only 500 examples of the 265 Trophy are going to be built, of which just fifty are coming to the UK. The rest will be divided between Austria, Belgium, France (where it’ll be priced at €35,500), Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.



Specification includes the Cup chassis - with its stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bar - plus a mechanical limited slip differential and the PerfoHub front suspension set-up that is designed to overcome the inevitable torque steer. The black 19” alloy wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tyres, which are claimed to have Formula 1 inspired tread patterns.



On the inside of the Mégane, there are Recaro seats with yellow seatbelts as well as the Renaultsport Monitor data logging system. It records and displays various parameters in real time, something that’s probably useful for track days if not the daily commute.



Whereas other markets get a choice of yellow, black, white or grey paintwork, UK buyers will be restricted to just the first two colours. However, as compensation, their cars will come complete with a numbered plaque and, more importantly, owners will also get free access to the full 2012 Renaultsport UK track day calendar.



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Renault taking Twizy orders

Sales of the electric Twizy are due to begin early next year, but anyone keen to be among the first to own one can reserve theirs now with a £20 deposit via Renault’s website.



It’ll be available in two versions, the £6,690 Urban and the £7,400 Technic. However, owners are also going to have to budget for the £40 (including VAT) per month battery lease cost, which is based on a three-year / 4,800 miles per annum agreement.

Both the Urban and Technic use the same 19 bhp (15 kW / 20 PS) electric motor, which delivers a range of around 60 miles (100 kilometres) on a single charge and a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). Recharging takes three hours and thirty minutes to full battery capacity, or three hours for an 80% recharge.



Legally the Twizy is deemed to be a quadricycle, so as such it won’t be eligible for the UK Government’s Plug-in Electric Car Grant.  It’ll be competing directly against similar vehicles such as the Reva G-Wiz, although Renault reckons it could attract scooter riders and ‘proper’ car drivers too.



Of course, the counterargument is that for city use, a quadricycle has the vulnerability of a two-wheeler but without the benefit of being able to filter through traffic. Weather protection on the Twizy doesn’t look too great, either.



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Mahindra Verito launched

The Renault Logan has been renamed the Mahindra Verito for the Indian market.



It follows the termination in April 2010 of the joint venture that had been established by Mahindra & Mahindra and the French manufacturer to build the Logan locally in Nashik.



Under the terms of the restructure, M&M bought out Renault’s 49 percent share in order to fully own the operation, and Logan production has continued in India via a licensing arrangement. However, it was also agreed that the Renault branding would eventually have to disappear.

So, switching to the Mahindra badge comes as no surprise. The Verito model name is meant to allude to honest dependability, as it’s derived from the Latin word ‘veritas’ meaning ‘truth’.



To go with the new name, Mahindra has taken the opportunity to introduce a few cosmetic tweaks. These include the fitment of roof rails, revised fog lights, side cladding and extra chrome decoration at the rear, while the interior gets new upholstery.



Carried over from the Logan are the two engines, both of which are sourced from Renault. Cheapest is the 1.4 MPFI petrol unit, which is priced at Rs. 4.82 lakh for the BS3 version - that’s around £6,560 or €7,380 at today’s exchange rates.



Alternatively, buyers can opt for the 1.5 DCi CRDi diesel. It’s more expensive at Rs. 5.62 lakh (about £7,650 or €8,600), but it does have an ARAI fuel economy rating of 59.4 mpg (4.8 l/100km / 21.03 km/l).



Rajesh Jejurikar, Chief Executive, Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said: “The Verito, with its unique value proposition aligns with the Mahindra DNA of offering tough, rugged and sporty vehicles. For the first time, we are using social media platforms to unveil a new product, reflecting alternative thinking. The earlier Logan will continue to get complete service and spares support from us.”



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2011 Fleet News Awards

Following a strong showing at the Business Car Awards in January, BMW has been similarly rewarded by the 2011 Fleet News Awards. As well as being voted manufacturer of the year, it also secured four individual vehicle accolades.



There’s no doubt that the combination of badge appeal, driving dynamics and strong residuals make the honours deserved, but surely such ever increasing popularity amongst fleet users risks eroding the exclusivity of the brand?



However, BMW didn’t get everything its own way. The new Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max scooped the company car and people carrier prizes, the former being voted for by Fleet News readers.



Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group secured wins for its Polo, Golf and Superb, while the Kia Sportage was declared the best crossover.



2011 Fleet News Awards winners



Voted for by Fleet News readers



New company car of the year: Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max

Fleet manufacturer of the year: BMW

Fleet News Hall of Fame: Phil Redman

New company car of the year and best people carrier: Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max

Voted for by Fleet News jurors



Manufacturer Awards



Best small car: Volkswagen Polo

Best lower-medium car: Volkswagen Golf

Best upper-medium car: Skoda Superb

Best people carrier: Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max

Best estate car: BMW 5 Series Touring

Best SUV: BMW X3

Best premium car: BMW 3 Series

Best boardroom car: BMW 5 Series

Best crossover: Kia Sportage

Most improved fleet manufacturer of the year: Renault

Green fleet manufacturer of the year: Peugeot

Best boardroom car: BMW 5 Series

Supplier Awards



Environment: The Miles Consultancy

Customer service: Leaseplan

New product / service: Arval

Safety award: Peak Performance

Short-term rental company of the year: Hertz

Leasing company of the year: Arval

Fleet supplier of the year: The AA

Fleet manager of the year: Val South, Xerox



Fleet Awards



Fleet initiative of the year: Balfour Beatty

Fleet of the year (under 250 vehicles): The Independent Group

Fleet of the year (251-500 vehicles): Iron Mountain

Fleet of the year (501-1,000 vehicles): Kelly Communications

Fleet of the year (>1,000 vehicles): Johnson & Johnson



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Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E.

An inescapable issue for electric vehicles is battery cost. Not only can it have a considerable impact on the initial purchase price, but there’s also the financially unpleasant prospect of eventual replacement.



Government-backed schemes such as the UK’s Plug-in Car Grant can help with the former problem, but what if a manufacturer is trying to market an electric van, which currently isn’t eligible for such a helping hand?



Renault’s solution for its electric Kangoo Van Z.E. - as with its entire EV line-up - is that owners can buy or lease the vehicle itself, but the batteries will have to be rented.



In the UK, that means a monthly battery fee of at least £59 (plus VAT), based on 9,000 miles per annum and a 48 month commitment. Adding on maintenance plus the electricity needed to recharge the batteries, Renault reckons that overall running costs will be similar to those of a petrol or diesel equivalent if less than 9,375 miles (about 15,000 kilometres) are driven each year. Travel more than that, and it’s advantage electric.



When sales of the Kangoo Van Z.E. begin at the end of 2011, both standard and extended wheelbase Maxi versions will be available. What’s more, with an overall length of 4.60 metres, the Maxi is going to be offered in two guises.

First is a traditional two-seat van, which has 4.6 cubic metres of cargo space and a maximum load length of 2.90 metres. Alternatively, users could choose a five-seat version that comes with a 60/40 folding rear bench seat.



The Kangoo has a 59 bhp (44 kW / 60 PS) motor that’s powered by an under-floor 22 kWh battery. However, with an expected range of 105 miles (around 170 kilometres) and a recharging time of six to eight hours, operations are clearly going to be restricted to short, local journeys.



UK pricing for the Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. has been set at £17,990 (plus VAT) for the two-seat version, or £18,690 (plus VAT) for the crew van version.



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World Car Awards finalists

Sixty-six jurors from across the world have completed a first round of voting to determine the 2011 World Car Awards finalists.



With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:





2011 World Car of the Year

• Audi A1


• Audi A8


• BMW 5 Series


• BMW X3


• Jaguar XJ


• Jeep Grand Cherokee


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Nissan Leaf


• Porsche Cayenne


• Volvo S60 / V60

Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.



What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.

The Leaf could well repeat its 2011 European Car of the Year victory, but it does tend to divide opinion. There are those who believe it almost makes petrol or diesel cars obsolete, while others won’t back an all-electric car until both battery range and the recharging infrastructure improve.







It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.



Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.





2011 World Performance Car

• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi RS 5 Coupe


• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe


• Ferrari 458 Italia


• Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera


• Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG


• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


• Porsche 911 GT2 RS


• Porsche 911 Turbo


• Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250

This category is wide open, as it includes everything from a compact hot hatch to numerous supercars for the jurors to choose from. Audi has won the performance car award three times in the past five years, but it’ll be a surprise if the feat is repeated with the RS 5.









2011 World Car Design of the Year

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta


• Aston Martin Rapide


• Audi A7


• Citroën DS3


• Ferrari 458


• Honda CR-Z


• Kia Sportage


• Nissan Juke

There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.

On that basis, the Aston Martin would seem to be a strong challenger, but arguably it’s the Nissan Juke that truly stands out as a unique design.



The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.







2011 World Green Car

• BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition


• Chevrolet Volt


• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


• Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell


• Nissan Leaf


• Smart electric drive

Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.

Perhaps the Leaf stands a stronger chance of winning this category, but it may be the case that more jurors consider the Volt’s range extender concept as being more practical for everyday use.







But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.







The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.



Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.



Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.

Top 10: Irish car sales 2010

According to figures published by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, 88,373 cars were sold in Ireland during 2010.



That was almost 55% more than 2009’s figure of 57,118, an encouraging increase achieved in spite of harsh economic conditions. However, the market still has a long way to go before it recovers to the volumes seen in 2008, when sales topped 150,000.



2010’s performance was undoubtedly helped by the scrappage scheme, which accounted for over 17,000 registrations. Good news for the industry is that the programme will continue until the end of June 2011, although the amount of support - which is applied via Vehicle Registration Tax relief - is reduced from €1,500 to €1,250.



The top three manufacturers remained unchanged in 2010, with Ford selling the most cars followed by Toyota and then Volkswagen.



Fourth spot went to Renault, which trebled its sales thanks partly to being the manufacturer with the most scrappage scheme reclaims. Skoda also recorded a notable result but, despite a doubling of volumes, it only moved up one place to seventh on the league table.

Top 10: Irish Car Sales By Manufacturer
Position	Manufacturer	2010	2009	+/-	% +/-
1	Ford	11,215	8,121	3,094	38.1%
2	Toyota	10,660	7,603	3,057	40.2%
3	Volkswagen	10,301	6,174	4,127	66.8%
4	Renault	9,746	2,414	7,332	303.7%
5	Opel	6,603	4,046	2,557	63.2%
6	Nissan	5,494	4,684	810	17.3%
7	Skoda	4,915	2,390	2,525	105.6%
8	Hyundai	2,959	1,665	1,294	77.7%
9	Peugeot	2,924	1,766	1,158	65.6%
10	Audi	2,723	2,388	335	14.0%
Figures provided by SIMI Statistical Service

Cheap Renault Bizu range

With still no budget range to generate extra sales (who knows if Dacia cars will ever be launched in the UK?), Renault has unveiled a cut price line-up of Bizu special editions.

Bizu versions of the Twingo, Clio, Mégane and Scénic will be available, but only until June 2011. All are well-equipped, featuring Bluetooth telephone connectivity, an aux-in socket for MP3 players, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, brake assist and electric front windows as standard.



They also represent significant savings over the other variants from their respective ranges.



Take the Twingo, for example. The Bizu costs £6,595 whereas the next trim level up, the Expression, has a price tag of £8,895. Yet both have the same 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) 1.2 litre engine, and seemingly the only spec that the Bizu misses out on is front fog lights and rear headrests. Given that Bluetooth is actually a £285 option on the more expensive Expression, it looks like choosing between the two is a no-brainer.



The rest of the Bizu models are:

Clio Bizu 1.2 16V 75 - 3 Door	£8,595
Clio Bizu 1.2 16V 75 - 5 Door	£9,195
Clio Bizu dCi 88 FAP - 3 Door	£10,395
Clio Bizu dCi 88 FAP - 5 Door	£10,995
Clio Sport Tourer Bizu 1.2 16V 75	£10,145
Clio Sport Tourer Bizu dCi 88 FAP	£11,945
Mégane Hatch Bizu 1.6 100	£11,595
Mégane Sport Tourer Bizu 1.6 100	£12,395
Scénic Bizu 1.6 VVT 110	£12,595

2011 What Car? Awards

UK publication What Car? has announced its 2011 Car of the Year winners.



During a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, prizes were awarded across seventeen vehicle categories, with one model going on to be declared overall champion.



Supermini



Shortlist

Best buy less than £9,000: Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort

Best buy £9,000 - £13,000: Ford Fiesta 1.25 82 Zetec 5dr

Best buy more than £13,000: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport





Small family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Best buy more than £20,000: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i T3



Winner

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr





Family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £18,000: Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

Best buy £18,000 - £21,000: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £21,000: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





Estate car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,500: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI SE

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £22,000: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





MPV



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,000: Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi VTR+

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Best buy more than £22,000: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S



Winner

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S





Hot hatch



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup

Best buy more than £20,000: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup



Winner

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup





Coupé



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160

Best buy £25,000 - £40,000: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Best buy more than £40,000: Jaguar XKR



Winner

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport





Open-top



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE AC

Best buy £25,000 - £35,000: BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Best buy more than £35,000: Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Cab Blue Efficiency SE



Winner

BMW Z4 sDrive23i





Performance car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £60,000: Lotus Evora 3.5 V6

Best buy £60,000 - £120,000: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Best buy more than £120,000: Ferrari 458 Italia



Winner

Ferrari 458 Italia





Crossover



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

Best buy more than £20,000: Volvo XC60 2.0 D3 DRIVe SE



Winner

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport





4x4



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7 seats

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Best buy more than £40,000: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS



Winner

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS





Compact executive



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: BMW 3 Series 316d ES

Best buy £25,000 - £30,000: BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Best buy more than £30,000: BMW 3 Series 330d SE



Winner

BMW 3 Series 320d ES





Executive car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: BMW 5 Series 520d SE

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Best buy more than £40,000: Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 245 quattro SE



Winner

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury





Luxury car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £65,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Best buy £65,000 - £100,000: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Vogue 

Best buy more than £100,000: Rolls-Royce Phantom



Winner

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC





Ultra-low carbon car



Winner

Nissan Leaf





Safety Award



Winner

Volvo for Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake





Security Award



Winner

Volkswagen





What Car? Car of the Year 2011



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

Two Lotus teams in F1?

The 2011 Formula 1 season could see the bizarre sight of two Lotus-branded teams on the grid.



Group Lotus - the Proton-owned manufacturer of Lotus road cars - has just bought a stake in the former Renault F1 Team, also becoming title sponsor in the process. The move coincides with Renault selling its share in the outfit, although the French firm will continue to supply engines to the newly renamed Lotus Renault GP Team.

Lotus Renault GP Team - 2011 Livery

A black and gold livery has been revealed too, which harks back to the cigarette-sponsored Lotus F1 cars of the 1970s and 1980s. It might look striking, but why the team would want to give free subliminal advertising to a tobacco company is anyone’s guess.



Confusingly Lotus Racing, which competed for the first time during 2010 but is nothing to do with Group Lotus, has already announced a couple of significant changes for next season: not only will it be switching from Cosworth to Renault power, but it will also be painting its cars black and gold. What a coincidence.



To make matters even more complicated Lotus Racing has, according to the official FIA 2011 Formula 1 entry list, now rebranded itself as Team Lotus and intends to race under the Lotus Renault name.



However, Group Lotus is claiming that Lotus Racing / Team Lotus / Lotus Renault (take your pick) was only using the Lotus moniker under licence this year, but that licence has now been revoked.



Consequently Team Lotus and Group Lotus are now involved in an escalating battle for the right to continue using the name. But with neither side looking likely to back down, the dispute will probably end up being resolved by the UK High Court sometime in the new year.

Twingo Gordini 100

First there were Gordini versions of the Renaultsport Clio 200 and Renaultsport Twingo 133 hot hatches, and now the same treatment is being applied to a more humble model.



The Twingo Gordini 100 is aimed at those who want handling and style, but without the high running costs usually associated with having a very powerful engine. That sounds like a formula that could be popular with a lot of buyers.

As the name implies, under the bonnet lies a 1.2 turbocharged motor that produces a respectable 98 bhp (74 kW / 100 PS). That’s enough to propel the Gordini 100 up to 117 mph (188 km/h), which isn’t too far behind the 125 mph (201 km/h) of the Gordini 133.



But, as expected, the 100 scores at the fuel pump: it manages 49.5 mpg (5.7 l/100km) on the combined cycle, compared to 40.4 mpg (7.0 l/100km) for the 133. CO2 emissions are also down from 155 g/km to 132 g/km, which means UK buyers of the Gordini 100 will be paying the Band E road tax rate of £110 each year, instead of the £155 that drivers of the Band G Gordini 133 will have to part with.



The Gordini 100 replaces the GT specification in the Twingo range, but it inherits the former model’s chassis set up. That means recalibrated sports steering, together with stiffer shock absorbers and suspension bushes.



Going on sale from mid-January next year, the Gordini 100 will cost £11,395 (including VAT at the increased rate of 20%). That represents quite a saving against its 133 sibling, which is currently listed at £14,500.



Renault hasn’t skimped on equipment though. 15” ‘Turini’ alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, cruise control, air conditioning, electric windows, speed limiter and independent sliding and folding rear seats are all fitted as standard.



The most popular colour across the existing Gordini range is Malta Blue, with 90% of customers choosing it. So it’s no surprise that it will be offered on the Twingo Gordini 100, too. Alternatives for those wanting something a bit different are Pearlescent Black and Glacier White. The Gordini twin stripes can be deleted for a more subtle look, but apparently only 1% of owners have so far chosen to do that.



Fiat provides two of the obvious competitors to the Twingo Gordini 100. The £11,005 Panda 100HP has similar performance to the Renault, but it emits more CO2 and uses more fuel. Then there’s the 500 1.4 Sport, which offers comparable economy and performance. However, it’s £870 more expensive than the Twingo, and there’s still little chance of any discount off the Fiat’s price.

OFT probes price fixing

The UK’s Office of Fair Trading has launched an investigation into suspected price fixing by truck manufacturers.



As part of its enquiries, which are taking place under the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Competition Act 1998, the OFT earlier this week invited itself to the offices of Mercedes-Benz UK in Tongwell, Milton Keynes. Following the raid, one person was arrested but later bailed.

The Enterprise Act is a serious piece of legislation - breaches can result in criminal charges, with the possibility that individuals can be jailed for up to five years, and the company fined up to 10% of its global turnover.



A spokesman for Mercedes-Benz has said that the company "… is fully co-operating with the investigation which may take many months or more to complete."



Meanwhile, rival firms Scania, MAN and Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks have confirmed that they have already received letters from the OFT notifying them of the investigation and requesting information. Iveco and DAF, The other two major commercial vehicle makers operating in the UK, have indicated that they are prepared to fully cooperate with the OFT probe.