Selling your car with confidence

Most people thinking of selling their car are increasingly going on to the net to do so. The most popular online car selling site has got to be Auto trader here in the UK. I sold my last car on eBay - another site which is quite popular with a lot of private car sellers as well. However, if you live in the north of England, you may want to check out The car buying service. They are in nine locations, namely, Ashton-under-Lyne, Cheadle, Liverpool, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Sheffield and Doncaster.

The company buys all types of car models and makes and is the online car buyer approved by RAC. You can value your car online in just four steps. First of all out your car registration number and then hit the 'Value my car' button.

You then provide more information about the car and your contact details after which you get the value of the car. If you feel that the price is right, you can then book an appointment. The great thing about this company is that the price quoted is the price you have to pay. There are no hidden "admin charges" that gets added to your bill afterwards.

Just check out their new TV advert:

Jaguar unveils the F-TYPE Coupé at the LA Auto Show

The F-TYPE Coupé made its global debut on 19 November in Los Angeles.

The all-aluminium F-TYPE Coupé is available in three versions: F-TYPE R, F-TYPE S and the F-TYPE. All engines drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed 'Quickshift' transmission with full manual sequential control via steering wheel-mounted paddles or the central SportShift lever.

The F-TYPE R Coupé is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, delivering acceleration to 60 mph in 4 seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited). The F-TYPE R delivers enhanced agility and handling via Jaguar’s second-generation Electronic Active Differential, Jaguar’s new Torque Vectoring by braking system and a Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) braking system.

Toyota at the 2013 SEMA show

The Toyota Scion FR-S, a.k.a the GT86, has been named the Hottest Sport Compact at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas. This is the second year running that Toyota has won the title for the car.

Toyota showed off four specially kitted and tuned coupes at the show. This included the GREDDY x Scion Racing FR-S racing prototype and the FR-S Steve Aoki Art Car, a music-themed version of the FR-S originated by star DJ and producer Steve Aoki.

Bulletproof FR-S Concept

FR-S Steve Aoki Art Car

Urban GT Sports Coupe

GREDDY x Scion Racing FR-S.

Check out the Toyota blog for more details.

Audi's new all-wheel-drive quattro technology in ad

See the new Audi all-wheel-drive system in action in their "Land of quattro" TV advert set to air tomorrow. According to Audi, the new quattro technology allows their cars to adapt to all conditions, while giving complete control and dynamic driving performance.

See our revolutionary

VW Beetle Hot Rods

VW has had a bit of problem selling the Beetle to male customers and despite launching a New Beetle specifically targeted at guys, was not particularly successful.

This may change the perception of the Beetle as a "cute" car:

On closer inspection, they are not the newer versions of the Beetle but rather modified versions of the popular model.

The Citroën C Elysée

Sebastian Loeb and Team Citroën unveiled the new C Elysée car and preview WTCC season at the Frankfurt Motor show 2013.

The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC is the very first vehicle to be designed in accordance with the new FIA regulations for the category, will be driven in the the World Touring Car Championship in 2014 by Sébastien Loeb.

The model is a C-segment saloon aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia.

According to Citroën, it is 30% ahead of its initial sales target, with 30,000 orders placed.

The car features 18-inch wheels, an integrated aerodynamic splitter, and widened front and rear wings.

The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC is powered by the same 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine as the DS3 WRC. With a wider booster flange, power output is now close to 380bhp. The car comes with a front-wheel drive transmission, controlled by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Win a classic car for a weekend

As part of the British Auto Legends campaign, they are running a competition where lucky winners will get the chance to win a classic car for a weekend with Royal Mail.

All you have to do is go to their Facebook page: www.ifyouhadtopickone.com and then choose your favourite classic car from the the Royal Mail collection to be in with a chance of winning.

Hurry the contest ends this coming Monday.

London Taxis back in production

Production of the iconic London Taxis - the new TX4 model, has resumed at the London Taxi Company factory at Hollyhead road in Coventry, six months after the firm was rescued by the Geely Group. Geely Group Chairman Li Shufu and Business Secretary Vince Cable were present to officially start production.

Pic from their Twitter page

The Chinese owners bought the company for £11.4 million in February this year. With a £150m five-year investment plan, and 65 new jobs in Coventry and new sales staff in London, the company is hoping for a brighter future. - The company has a total workforce of around 170 and aims to produce 10 cars a day.

The BMW i8

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid is the perfect dream car for me - an eco friendly high-performance sports car. It features a passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and BMW eDrive technology that enables it to be driven on electric power alone.

Here are some pics from Frankfurt:

Jaguar Land Rover announces £1.5 billion investment

Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover today announced the major investment approaching £1.5 billion at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This will also include the creation of 1,700 new jobs at their Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Solihull, UK. This brings the total number of UK manufacturing jobs announced by Jaguar Land Rover over the last three years to almost 11,000. The car maker owned by Tata plans to deliver an enhanced range of models for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands in new segments and markets.

The first new model to utilise the new technically-advanced aluminium vehicle architecture will be an all-new mid-sized sports sedan from Jaguar which is expected to be launched in 201. This vehicle will feature the first engine to be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new £500m Engine Manufacturing Centre. The plant will build the new family of high-output, fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines for Jaguar Land Rover.

The C-X17 concept

Updated: 10 Sept, 2013

Jaguar's first ever sports crossover concept vehicle - the C-X17, has been revealed at Frankfurt 2013.

The C-X17 is a design study to introduce Jaguar's all-new advanced aluminium architecture. Jaguar hopes that this modular, scalable architecture will allow them to grow its product portfolio, and target high-growth areas of the premium market, beginning with a new mid-sized C/D segment sedan in 2015.

The C-X17 concept combines the character and driving experience of a sports car with increased presence and flexibility.

JLR live at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Here is the live stream of JLR at the Frankfurt Motor Show below:
Looking forward to the C-X17 Concept, interviews with Jaguar executives and guests.

Seat Belts and the New Volvo coupe concept

An interesting titbit about the new Volvo coupe concept was on the Volvo Facebook page:

"Volvo invented the 3-point belt back in 1959. In our mission to make all car travel safer we gave the idea away, license free, to all manufacturers. It set the standard for safety and the inclusion of this special buckle in the Concept Coupe pays homage to our legacy."

The new Peugeot 308

Peugeot's new model, the Peugeot 308 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow next week.

3 Big Benefits of Carports

Across the UK homeowners are protecting their cars with outside shelters to shield against the unreliable elements and add a stylish extra to their home’s appearance. 123v is a reputable and industry leading supplier-installer of carports and canopies. Their carports are designed and manufactured in-house by an expert team adept at customising domestic and commercial carports and canopies to your taste.

Want an affordable outdoor shelter for your car? Take a look at these three major reasons why you should consider a domestic carport for your home:

Weather Protection
Ensure your car is kept clean and shielded from the impact of volatile weather conditions. 123v supply carports that offer UV protection, which prevents bodywork deterioration, and sturdy covered parking to control the effect of extreme weather. Over the winter period do you grow tired of heavy snow blocking up tyres and freezing conditions causing an ice blanket over your car? Invest in a robust carport.

Create Storage Space
123v carports and canopies also provide shaded and sheltered areas for social events. Host an outdoor party or a summertime barbecue under cover. Domestic storage is something we all look for, so pack away your outdoor furniture, bicycles and anything else; a carport provides weatherproof protection for anything you wish to keep… not just your car.

Save Money
A carport is a cost effective (and cheaper) alternative to a household garage. Not only that, but it will add to the value of your property. As a practical and budget-friendly shelter to provide covered parking, a 123v carport is available to install across the UK. Get ready to load and unload your car under cover from the rain!
123v supply a variety of car shelter sizes and styles, there is a range of carport structures from which to choose. Individual structures include cantilever, traditional and freestanding carports, and the installation process normally takes just a few hours. 123v will even assist with your planning permission applications and, on completion, each purchase includes a ten year warranty, which is a guarantee of high-class service and product quality.

Aston Martin V12 ZAGATO

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Iconic DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin unveiled the V12 Zagato at the 2011 Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance. Due to overwhelming response to the concepts, they decided to put into production a limited run of the V12 Zagato road-cars.

About the car:

This rear wheel drive sports coupe has a front mid-mounted V12 engine mated with a 6 speed manual transmission. It takes the car from 0-100 KM/H (0-62 MPH) in just 4.2 secs.

Check out the V12 Zagato site here: http://www.astonmartin.com/cars/aston-martin-v12-zagato

Are Logbook Loans For You?

Do you need quick cash? A logbook loan can help cover medical fees, home repairs and household bills and is a straightforward solution that provides same day financial support. V5 Loans is a flexible logbook loan lender that offers secure alternatives to banks and other high street lenders.

A logbook loan may suit you if you have a poor credit rating or no credit history, so take a look at these helpful tips to see if a short-term finance loan can help you out.

Instant Cash

Rejected by the banks and require fast cash? V5 Loans can offer between £500 and £20,000, based on the value of your vehicle, within 24 hours. Instant funds are available even if you have poor credit history since the loan is determined by a prompt valuation of your car. As long as you own a vehicle which is free, or almost free, of finance, and have a proven stream of income, then you may be eligible for same day approval. Most applicants can start using the money within a few hours.

Secured Loan

As a secured loan, logbook loans are administered with your car used as collateral. V5 Loans not only offers same day personal loans, but applicants are also allowed to keep their vehicle throughout the duration of the loan process. So if you need your car for work, or for whatever purpose, then you can carry on driving.

Reliable Loan Lender

It is important to choose a trustworthy and reliable cash lender. Select a logbook loan company which is governed by Consumer Credit Law, like V5 Loans. A Consumer Credit License demonstrates the company’s confidentiality and quality of service. Avoid unregulated lenders and make sure you choose a company that is transparent and offers the kind of service you need.

Repayment Plans

Looking for a loan repayment schedule tailored to your lifestyle? V5 Loans can help. They offer flexible payment schemes to suit you; whether weekly or monthly, timely repayments can even help to boost your credit file.

If you are in need of speedy financial solutions then get in touch with a reputable logbook loans company. A logbook loan is not a long-term financial solution but it can ease short-term money pressures and repair your credit rating. Get the money you need… today!

New Volvo coupe concept

Volvo has released pictures and video of their new coupe concept.

It looks fabulous. A number of commentators noted that it looks like the classic Volvo P1800 sports car.

Volvo V40 makes Malaysian debut

The new Volvo V40 models made their Malaysian debut at Mid Valley, Megamall concourse today. The models were the new Volvo V40 T4, the Volvo V40 T5 and the Volvo V40 Cross Country. The Volvo V40 boasts a 5 star NCAP rating and a host of new innovations such as Knee Airbags for the driver and radar based Cross Traffic Alert.

At the launch was Keith Schäfer, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, who has taken over the reins from Goran Larson (retiring Volvo Car Asia President), a couple of weeks ago.

According to the press relese, the V40 T4 model will be available from RM173,888 for the V40 T4 model, RM188,888 for the T5 model and RM198,888 for the V40 Cross Country. In addition, they come with 5 years free servicing, inclusive of parts, 5 years free warranty and 5 years Volvo On-Call cover.

Keith Schäfer, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia together with Mr. Lee Ming Tiong, Sales Director of Volvo Car Malaysia

Volvo V40 Cross Country

(From left to right): Sales Director of Volvo Car Malaysia Lee Ming Tiong, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, Mr. Keith Schäfer, and President of Volvo Car Asia,Goran Larsson

Thanks to David Lau for the info and pics

British Auto Legends stamp campaign

Check out what the postman dropped off yesterday: It's a bright red Royal Mail tool box, personally engraved with my name.

I am delighted to be invited to take part in the Royal Mail British Auto Legends stamp campaign - celebrating 10 of the most famous British classic marques:

Inside was a first day cover with letter, the new British Auto Legends stamp collection, a USB stick shaped like a key and containing all the information about the collection including the cars, a ticket for the Cheshire classic, vintage and sportscar show on thew 17-18 of August (which I was unable to attend) and finally, a small stainless steel forged spanner.



The Thoroughbreds

1. Jaguar E-Type
2. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
3. Aston Martin DB5
4. MG MGB
5. Morgan Plus 8
6. Lotus Esprit

The Workhorses

1. Morris Minor Van
2. Austin FX4
3. Fords Anglie 105E
4. Land Rover Defender T10

The workhorses received a bit of flak from the Top Gear team, especially the Ford Anglia 105E, which was the favourite of the British police in the 1960s.

My favourite has to be the Aston Martin DB5, which became famous after appearing in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. This car was launched in 1963 and had a 4-litre (3995cc) engine with 242bhp (5500rpm) and a top speed of 144mph (232kph).

Which one is your favourite classic car?

Visit their facebook page www.ifyouhadtopickone.com for a chance to win one of these great cars for a weekend.

2014 BMW M4 Concept

The BMW Concept M4 Coupe was unveiled at the “Concours d’Elegance” in Pebble Beach on the 16th of this month. A peek into their vision of the future sports car.

Commedian Tim Allen featured in new episode of GQ’s Car Collectors

In this episode of GQ’s Car Collectors, Tim Allen shows off his collection including a Volkswagen Beetle with a 200-hp engine and his Studebaker Sleeper Cab that doubles as a campground for his four-year-old daughter.

He starts off with a very long "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh"

Fasten your seat belt [Video]

Really beautiful video titled 'Embrace Life'. The message gets through without a single word being spoken and not a car in sight.

Meaning of the warning lights on your dashboard

I have had my car serviced and MOT done recently but the service reminder light still comes on. The workshop did not know how to do it ( I did not go to TMS - the authorised dealers of Volvo in Coventry, this time). So I went to my trusted Guru - YouTube and I found a video showing how to reset the service light indicator. Watch below:



Anyway, according to Britannia Rescue, most drivers do not have a clue what all the lights on their dashboard stand for. I found a great guide on the VW Facebook page with explanations of the lights. They might differ from car to car.

New Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera has been updated for 2013, the result will be presented in the Hall of Shanghai, China.

 The novelties are numerous, but the main focus is on the version Panamera S E-Hybrid, as it is the first luxury car with plug-in system (rechargeable batteries at any normal outlet).
The new hybrid car from Porsche can be loaded into a conventional household outlet in less than four hours. The electric motor is more powerful, producing 95 hp (47 hp in the previous version), the energy extraction is done by lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 9.4 kWh. These figures are reflected to an average consumption of 3.1 l/100 km (previously 7.1 l) in all-electric operation has the autonomy to 36 km and top speed of 135 km / h.
The New Porsche Panamera Hybrid accelerates to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds, delivering 416 hp, reaching top speed of 270 km / h. Hybrid OS-E, along with the Panamera Diesel will be equipped with eight-speed automatic transmission, Tiptronic S.
More Porsche Panamera pictures:

Jaguar XJR

Jaguar XFR

Jaguar confirmed the release of the new Jaguar XJR, the most radical version of the Jaguar XJ for the New York Auto Show, which opens its doors to the public next March 29.

The Jaguar XJR has a V8 5.0 engine with 550 hp, the same used in the XKR and XFR.

The new "Jag" will be unveiled on the first press day of the exhibition (March 27) when the brand will disclose technical data of its new proposal.

Cars CO2 reducing targets can create 400,000 jobs

The cutting of CO2 emissions to 95g/km by 2020 for new cars proposed by the European Commission could lead to 400,000 new jobs and savings of millions of euros, says British study by consultants Cambridge Econometrics and Ricardo-AEA.
The new target for CO2 emissions is voted today, April 19, in the European Parliament.
According to the study, more efficient cars could mean savings between 57 to 79 billion euros per year in fuel costs. Could still generate between 356,000 and 443,000 new jobs by 2030.

Elton John Ferrari Testarossa 512 at auction

Go for auction this week through Coys auction houses based in London, the Ferrari Testarossa 512 of Elton John, and is probably the Ferrari Testarossa 512 with lower mileage in the world, that is still rolling.

The Ferrari Testarossa 512, whose price could reach £ 110,000, was owned by British musician Elton John, for more than three decades, completing it with a total of 1,812 miles before it auctions by Christie in June 2001 along with 27 other cars from his private collection.

In this auction, reached the £ 98,000, and his buyer decided it that is time to recover his investment, putting it back on the market with a fully upgraded maintenance history and a letter of authenticity, confirming that the singer, composer and pianist was the owner.

Ferrari Testarossa pictures

VW unveils E-Up

Volkswagen confirmed the production of the electric version of the VW Up!, The VW e-Up!,

That model will be shown officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will be available for order by the end of the year.

 The electric version of the Volkswagen Up! is equipped with a a 82 hp electric engine, powered by a battery pack placed on the floor. This engine provides the e-Up! with an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 14 seconds and 135 km / h top speed.

The VW e-Up! autonomy is 150 km on a single charge and can recharge 80% of the battery in just half an hour.

VW E-Up pictures