Car and Van News

What is it: Fourth generation of Honda’s SUV

Key features: Lower stance, lower emissions, two-wheel-drive option

Volkswagen is extending its BlueMotion and BlueMotion Technology eco programme to its Transporter panel van, kombi and people carrier ranges.

The new models are expected to appeal to fleet managers due to the cut in running costs that will come from better fuel economy and lower emissions.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a legendary icon amongst performance enthusiasts, and the car that VW hopes will continue the legend has been unveiled at the Paris show.

A GTI model is debuting in concept form alongside its mainstream sister which will arrive in UK showrooms in January.

Ford has revealed how it used ‘undercover agents’ to develop its new compact MPV, the B-Max.

Stationed around shopping centres and schools, they secretly watched car owners strapping in children and loading up the things they had bought.

Economic woes do not appear to be keeping buyers out of the car showrooms – registrations of new cars in the UK were up 3.5 per cent in June.

The fourth monthly rise in succession saw 189,514 cars registered, 2.5 per cent ahead of June figures for the previous three years.

Lexus is developing a small petrol-electric hybrid powertrain for the new GS to compensate for the absence of a diesel in the range.

The new car goes on sale next month as the GS 250 with a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine, or the GS 450h hybrid powered by a 3.5 V6 and an electric motor.

Ford has announced that its most powerful Focus model will cost from £21,995.

Order books for the 246bhp Focus ST open on Thursday (1st June), with first deliveries in September.