New 3-cylinder addition to A1 & A1 Sportback takes entry price of Audi ownership to £14,315

New three-cylinder petrol engine joins updated A1 range polished by styling revisions, equipment upgrades and efficiency gains

• New three-cylinder addition to acclaimed A1 and A1 Sportback ranges takes entry price of Audi ownership to £14,315 OTR
• Available to order now in conjunction with SE or Sport specification – first UK deliveries in summer 2015
• A1 1.0 TFSI five-speed manual – 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, top speed 116mph, combined MPG 67.3, CO₂ 97g/km
• A1 and A1 Sportback ranges recently enhanced by styling revisions inside and out, new or improved engines, more equipment and improved option packs

Weighing up the pros and cons of petrol and diesel power becomes a little harder for Audi A1 customers from today as a new super-frugal, 97g/km TFSI version of the three or five-door subcompact becomes available in the UK. 

Equipped with a characterful new three-cylinder engine – the first petrol unit with this configuration ever to be installed in an Audi model – the latest A1 variant promises to bring 67mpg-plus economy, peppy performance and the premium hallmarks that distinguish every Audi within even easier reach with an OTR price starting from £14,315.

The 95PS turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine effectively replaces the 89PS 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine available in the A1 since launch. It can call on a healthy 160Nm of torque to propel the A1 1.0 TFSI with standard five-speed manual gearbox to 62mph from rest in 10.9 seconds, regardless of whether it is powering the three-door or five-door Sportback body style.

A seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission is also available, and with this installed the acceleration time is also unchanged in both versions. Top speed is 116mph in every case.

Equally importantly, the new engine can return up to 67.3mpg in the A1 when linked to the standard manual gearbox, or 64.2mpg in conjunction with the S tronic transmission, equating to CO₂ figures of 97g/km and 102g/km respectively. Again, these figures apply regardless of the body style chosen.

For comparison, the 1.6-litre TDI which retains its position as the most frugal option in the updated range now benefits from an economy boost from 74.3mpg to 80.7mpg according to the combined cycle test, and a CO₂ reduction from 99g/km to 92g/km in both body styles.

SE or Sport specification options

The new three-cylinder petrol engine is available in conjunction with either SE or Sport specification, both options including alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. 

A secondary collision brake assist system, which can initiate automatic braking to reduce the risks of skidding and additional collisions during an accident, also now forms part of the standard equipment list.

Key upgrades which are new to the latest 2015 Sport specification include the Audi Music Interface and preparation for SD card-based navigation. They join existing features such as larger 16-inch wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver’s Information System

The firmer sports suspension configuration which is a standard feature of Sport models has been revised to increase its absorbency, but customers can now choose to replace it at no extra cost with the more supple set-up of the SE versions.  

As always with the A1 and A1 Sportback, prospective owners of the new 1.0 TFSI version will be able to choose from a wealth of options to personalise their car and enhance it with features more commonly associated with models from the classes above.

The roof line in three-door models and the entire roof section in Sportback versions can be painted in a range of contrasting colours, creating an imposing and individual look that can be accentuated further by features such as privacy glass and a high gloss black styling package taking in the grille and side air inlets.

 Distinctive accents can also be added in the high quality cabin, where elements such as the rear view mirror surround, air vent sleeves, door pulls and the edges of the centre console can be finished in vibrant colours including Misano red, Macao yellow and Glacier white.

Owners looking to maximise the A1’s big car condensed appeal also have a wide selection of cost effective bundled option packages to choose from which add everything from an open sky panoramic sunroof, acoustic parking control and LED interior lighting to satellite navigation, Audi Phone Box mobile connectivity and in-car internet services via Audi connect.

Three into Audi A1 does go –   A new three-cylinder TFSI engine joins the recently updated Audi A1 range today combining lively performance and 67mpg potential with an accessible starting price of £14,315 OTR.

The new Audi A1 1.0 TFSI – UK OTR pricing

1.0 TFSI three-door five-speed manual

SE	£14,315
Sport	£16,290

1.0 TFSI Sportback five-speed manual

SE	£14,935
Sport	£16,910

Premium for S tronic transmission - £1,540

Britain’s top-selling MG dealer just can’t stop celebrating – or selling cars!

Britain’s top-selling MG dealer just can’t stop celebrating – or selling cars!

W.H.Brand, based near Spalding, Lincolnshire, won the accolade of ‘Top Performing MG dealer of 2014’ and also clinched the trophy for the country’s ‘Top Selling MG3’ dealer. Now the family-run firm has celebrated 90 years in business and threw a party for more than 250 guests at the showroom in the small Fenland village of Whaplode Drove.

The celebrations also coincided with the 90^th birthday of Fred Brand, the son of the firm’s founder, William Horace Brand. Fred showed off a classic 1949 speedway bike – he took up the sport to earn money to build a new garage for the business.

While customers tucked into a fish and chips supper on a London double-decker bus parked outside the showrooms, Sales Manager Adam Brand – great grandson of the firm’s founder – just couldn’t stop himself from selling MGs.

Adam said: “It was purely a party to mark our 90^th anniversary and Fred’s 90^th birthday, but I was chatting away to a customer I’ve known for years and before you knew it, I had an order for an MG6 Magnette.

“Ten minutes later the same thing happened and someone ordered an MG3 and then yesterday someone else rang up and ordered another MG3. I didn’t really sell the cars – they sold themselves! Taking on the MG franchise was the best business decision we have ever made.

“We seem to have been celebrating for weeks on end, but we’re not complaining. We’ve got our eyes set on retaining the winner’s awards this year and it seems our customers are keen to help us.”

During the 90^th celebrations, W.H. Brand’s customers and suppliers raised nearly £500 for the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance charity.

W.H. Brand joined the growing MG dealer network in December 2013 and covers Spalding, Peterborough and a large rural area covering parts of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.

In the last 12 months the number of MG dealers has almost doubled. There are currently 56 MG dealerships and 10 after sales outlets across the country. More dealers will be appointed in the coming months.

Skoda adds new kit to SE Business model as it runs out ready for all new car later this year.

• ŠKODA adds more than £1,600 of equipment to the Superb SE Business model at no extra cost
• The car now comes with full leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard
• The upgraded model is on sale immediately priced from £21,090

ŠKODA is welcoming business drivers into 2015 by adding equipment to the Superb SE Business model. The upgraded model now comes with full leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard with no increase in price.

The additions to the award-winning model provide £1,605-worth of added features and build upon an already impressive standard kit level in the Superb. This includes 17-inch alloy wheels, sat nav, DAB radio, dual-zone air-con, power-fold door mirrors, cruise control, trip computer, Bluetooth and an umbrella in the rear door.

The ŠKODA Superb SE Business model is available as either a hatchback or an estate powered by an efficient 2.0-litre 140PS diesel engine. The Superb is a class leader thanks to its combination of quality value, outstanding practicality and 633 litre boot, low carbon footprint (emitting 109g/km), 17% BIK band, and SE Business equipment.

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet for ŠKODA UK, commented: “The addition of full leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard to the popular Superb SE Business model reinforces ŠKODA’s commitment to providing business drivers with very well equipped, efficient and capable company cars.”

The ŠKODA Superb SE Business is priced from £21,090 for the manual hatchback, rising to £23,810 for the DSG-equipped estate model.

The SE Business suite of vehicles, which also includes ŠKODA’s Octavia and Yeti models, is especially designed to offer corporate customers a low taxation liability and whole life cost combined with a comprehensive specification, class-leading space and versatility.

New Hyundai i10 Premium SE trim added to range to improve customer choice.

• Hyundai adds new Premium SE trim level to hugely successful i10 range
• New features include 15” alloy wheels, electric sunroof, rear parking sensors
• Premium SE will showcase many features usually found on cars in the segment above
• Additional updates to existing SE trim level implemented

Hyundai Motor UK has announced an addition to the New Generation i10 line-up. The new range-topping Premium SE derivative will offer customers levels of comfort and technology usually found in the segment above.

Priced at £11,995 on-the-road (OTR) for the manual gearbox, and £12,650 OTR for the automatic, Premium SE customers will benefit from 15” alloy wheels; an electric tilt and slide glass sunroof; rear parking sensors; smart key with engine stop/start button; chrome effect exterior door handles; climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel.

As of February 2015, Hyundai will add the space saver spare tyre as a standard feature on new SE models and above. Furthermore, Hyundai is offering customers, of the SE model, the ‘Connectivity Pack’ option which comprises of Bluetooth^® with voice recognition; steering wheel with audio controls and rear speakers, all for just £175.

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “Since its launch a year ago, we’ve already sold over 25,000 units of New Generation i10 in the UK. The introduction of Premium SE will look to build on this success by providing customers with competitive levels of technology, without the need to compromise on the small car package.”

Since going on sale in January 2014, the New Generation i10 has already scooped nine awards including What Car? Best City Car for the second year running, and the Scottish Car of the Year title in 2014.

Andrew Jordan visits Longbridge ahead of BTCC season opener, and collects his new MG3

• New MG ace Andrew Jordan sets sights on 2015 BTCC crown
• Visit to MG’s Birmingham operation marks countdown to season
• Collects new MG3 – and tunes in!

MG’s new race star, Andrew Jordan, laid down the gauntlet when he visited the iconic Longbridge factory to mark the three month countdown to the start of the new season.

Looking lean and mean, the ultra-quick driver who became the youngest ever champion in the history of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship when he captured the winner’s crown in 2013, said he was determined to re-claim the championship again in 2015.

Last year MG and Triple Eight Racing took the BTCC Manufacturer/Constructor title and Andrew visited the MG factory to get an insight into MG, the fastest growing car brand in the UK. 

Accompanied by his father Mike, an ever-present guide in Andrew’s hugely impressive career, Andrew (25) had a peek behind the scenes into some of the operations at MG’s Birmingham headquarters.

Representatives from Pirtek UK, one of MG’s new partners supporting the Triple Eight Racing prepared MG6’s and Andrew’s longest running sponsor under the ‘Pirtek Racing’ banner, were also shown around the iconic Longbridge site.

Andrew and his fellow guests were able to gain an insight into the MG business both in the UK and abroad and he was introduced to a variety of people involved in designing, engineering and building the fast-selling MG3 and multi-award winning MG6.

With his Triple Eight race engineered MG6 GT now ready to start its pre-season testing programme, Andrew said he was just itching to get behind the wheel for the first time.

Meanwhile he collected his new MG3 from the MG Sales Centre, based at the factory site and the sales team enjoyed showing their newest celebrity customer the wide range of features and benefits that his new car has to offer.

Andrew said: “I just can’t wait to get started. I love the MG3, it’s a really funky little machine. I love the detail in everything down to the seats and even the red trim on the mats. I’m looking forward to giving it a good run out when we go testing in February and March.

“I think we’re going to have a really competitive season and there’s a few things that we’re looking to try out that I’m confident will help us bring even more out of the MG6, which has proven to be a really competitive package. Make no mistake about it, I’m here to win.” 

MG’s Head of Marketing, Matthew Cheyne, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Andrew, Mike and the team from Pirtek UK to Longbridge. We’re confident that with Andrew and Triple Eight Racing in tandem, we are going to have a great year on the track. But we’re also very excited at the prospects off track too as we develop relationships with our new team partners Pirtek Racing.

“Andrew looks great in his MG3 and we know he will help bring this car to a wider audience, just as his racing will continue to do with the MG6.

“It was a bit of an eye-opener when he asked the MG Sales Centre team to pre-set Radio 1 on the DAB radio in the MG3, but then you have to remember that despite already being an experienced racer and champion, he’s still a very young driver and that’s doubly exciting for the future.”

The first race of the 2015 season will be at the world-famous Brand’s Hatch circuit on the weekend of April 4/5.

New Generation i20 available at Hyundai dealers nationwide from Thursday 22nd January

• New Generation i20 available at Hyundai dealers nationwide from Thursday 22^nd January, priced from £10,695 OTR
• Highly competitive business contract hire rates from £137.99, low SMR costs
• Among the strongest predicted residual values in the segment with i20 S at 46% cost new

The wait is over for customers eagerly awaiting the New Generation Hyundai i20 which goes on sale this week, competitively priced from £10,695. Available at Hyundai dealerships nationwide from Thursday 22^nd January, the all-new model boasts a sophisticated new design, high specification and first-in-segment features, class leading interior space and generous levels of equipment.

Since the car’s first public unveiling at Paris Motor Show 2014, New Generation i20 has made bow waves, with strong interest from existing i20 owners as well as those new to the Hyundai brand. Industry experts and journalists have also handed the New Generation model their fair share of praise, while residual value experts have awarded New Generation i20 among the best residual values in its class.

New Generation i20 1.2 S starts the range, with predicted residual values at 46% of cost new forecast after 36 months/30,000 miles and other models are among the best in their respective categories. Business customers will benefit from strong residuals, with highly competitive contract hire rates starting from £137.99^*per month. New Generation i20 delivers further good news for fleet and business customers in the form of low SMR costs - the entire range remains economical, while S and Premium models are best in class.

For retail customers, the New Generation i20 delivers exceptional value and desirability with low PCP payments - £152.45^** per month will get customers behind the wheel of an i20 S, including a generous £500 deposit contribution from Hyundai Motor UK and £1,639 customer deposit.  Customers purchasing i20 SE on PCP can take advantage of £750 deposit contribution from Hyundai, while Premium and Premium SE customers will benefit from £1,000 contribution.

Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK said: “New Generation i20 is a true competitor in Britain’s most popular vehicle segment. It ticks all the right boxes for fleets and businesses, as well as catering to the needs and tastes of discerning retail customers. The quality, features and specification of this car speak for itself, and we are delighted that this has been demonstrated in the form of strong residual value predictions which are among the best in class.”

New Generation i20 pricing

New Generation i20	CO2 Emissions (g/km)	Insurance Group (1-50)	VED Band	Recommended On The Road Price
S
1.2 75PS	112	5E	C	£10,695.00
S Air
1.2 75PS	112	5E	C	£11,445.00
S Blue
1.1 CRDi 75PS	84	6E	A	£12,445.00
SE
1.2 84PS	119	6E	C	£12,725.00
1.4 100PS	127	10E	D	£13,325.00
1.4 100PS Auto	155	10E	G	£14,225.00
1.1 CRDi 75PS	103	6E	B	£14,225.00
1.4 CRDi 90PS	106	11E	B	£14,725.00
Premium
1.2 84PS	119	7E	C	£13,725.00
1.4 100PS	127	10E	D	£14,325.00
1.4 100PS Auto	155	10E	G	£15,225.00
1.4 CRDi 90PS	106	12E	B	£15,725.00
Premium SE
1.2 84PS	119	7E	C	£14,725.00
1.4 100PS	127	10E	D	£15,325.00
1.4 100PS Auto	155	10E	G	£16,225.00
1.4 CRDi 90PS	106	12E	B	£16,725.00