Eminently familiar to European motorists and introduced to the United States in 2006, the Audi A3 remains one of the premium hatchbacks on the market. While it could be argued that after smashing the one-million-unit sales mark in just five years, the compact A3 didn’t need much fixing, Audi has continued its renovation of the A3 adding both content and options to its smallest vehicle, therefore justifying its reputation for constant innovation. Always a stylish choice, it continues to be a sleeker alternative to more mainstream hatchbacks and for fans of the typical German traits of engineering excellence, fuel efficiency and versatility combined with a robust and understated elegance, the Audi A3 will not surprise or disappoint.

Doggedly committed to high levels of quality the A3 employs state of the art materials throughout the cabin. Passenger safety is ensured by both front side and curtain airbags as well as electronic stability control. Optional rear side airbags are also available. Other hi-tech features in the 2009 model include bluephone connectivity, dual zone automatic climate control and satellite radio. Steadfastly functional, the controls are straightforward and easy to use, however, for the most part style is not compromised for practicality. The interior combines an exquisitely crafted minimalist design with a comfortable sporty ambience. Whilst the ample boot provides plenty of storage space, the only minor drawback is a small backseat. The slight lack of significant legroom may make it a tight fit for adults.

Responsive and fun to drive, the A3 offers motorists the best of both worlds – dynamic athletic handling – perfect for cruising along the open road as well as the required comfort for enjoying long haul driving. Flawless steering easily combats unwanted road vibrations and kickback without impairing the first class feedback enthusiast drivers demand. Equally, the smooth suspension effortlessly defends the passenger from the effects of harsh road impacts to the cabin. A3 buyers have a choice of nine engines, covering both diesel and petrol, ranging from the 1.6-litre FSI turbo model to the 3.2-litre V6. The 140bhp 2-litre TDI S tronic A3 Sportback achieves 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and has a top speed of 129mph.  Engineered to accentuate the advantages of a standard six-speed manual gearbox and a contemporary automatic transmission while paying attention to fuel economy the gearbox confidently predicts changes up and down with the appropriate gear always ready to take the strain.

Chic and confident the well-balanced exterior has been tweaked to incorporate new LED daytime running lights while redesigned rollers fill the wheel wells, hiding A4’s optional Magnetic Ride suspension system. The sharper front end reveals a subtly aggressive and prominent front grille. This adventurous design is complimented by a sloping rear end a discreet spoiler and creatively executed dimensions.

For great used Audi A3 deals, and other used Audi cars, see the main Vehicle Text website.

In the current economic climate we’re all having to cut our cloths accordingly and motorists are no different. However maintaining, running and buying a car doesn’t have to be financially crippling. There are plenty of recession-busting tricks to help keep your car costs down while still allowing you to live life in the fast lane.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle then think about a second hand purchase – straight off the forecourt new cars lose over half their value in three years. Therefore a well looked after three to five year old car may represent better value for money. If you’re set on a brand new car then be sure to study each model’s colour coded fuel efficiency rating – low CO2 emissions equal lower tax and consequently more economical running costs. Also, when it comes to saving your hard earned cash, smaller cars certainly prove that size isn’t everything. Compact vehicles are cheaper to service, repair and tax. If you’re looking to reduce your motoring costs then only drive a bigger car if it’s absolutely essential to do so.

When you’re forking out for a new or second hand car remember that cost wise you’re only at the very beginning – nothing empties a motorist’s pockets quicker than an undependable, erratic vehicle. If you want to spend more time on the open road than in your local mechanics then check out yearly reliability surveys by JD Power or AutoExpress before you make your purchase. For example, Japanese cars such as Honda cars or Toyota cars generally tend to score highly on reliability and lead to minimal repair costs. Shopping around for petrol is another easy way to keep your running costs down. Prices can range by as much as 25p depending where you fill up but the main tip is to avoid buying your petrol on the motorway – more often than not service stations charge more than your local petrol station.

When you’re behind the wheel, knowing how to adapt your vehicle management to be more fuel efficient is a key factor in cutting your motoring costs. Making the effort to turn your engine off in a traffic jam (if the engine’s running for more than two minutes then it costs more than turning it on and off again), use the air con (only if you have to but better than opening the window) if you’re driving fast and opening the window (rather than using the air con) if you’re going slowly are well-known cost cutting methods.

However, taking responsibility for your own driving style is perhaps the most important cost effective measure to take. Firstly, Cut Your Speed! Not only do speeding tickets add fifteen percent to your insurance premiums but cars consume considerably more fuel at 70mph than 50mph. Swap flashy harsh acceleration and show boating sudden breaking for gradual acceleration and steady slowing down and you’ll use up much less power and again the resulting fuel consumption will be considerably lower.

The £300 million subsidy scheme, which came into effect on May 18, was designed to cover 300,000 new cars and was expected to last until February next year. However, such has been the impact of the scheme that time is running out for new customers to take advantage of the £2,000 incentive. More than 160,000 cars have all ready been sold, with sales expected to rise faster in September when new registration plates come out .

Industry experts and scrapyard dealers have therefore called for the government to extend the plan. John Proctor, of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “It’s done what it was intended to do. It’s boosted consumer confidence and got people back into the showroom. If it continues at the current rate of success the pot of money set aside for it is likely to run out before February. We need to let the scheme run its natural course and then get the Government to encourage the banks to provide greater help for the manufacturers.”

In practice, the scrappage scheme works by offering motorists an incentive of at least £2,000 – half of which comes from the government and half from car manufacturers – to scrap a car or van over 10 years old (registered on or before 31 August 1999) which can be used against the purchase of a brand new vehicle (weighing no more than 3.5 tonnes). A total of 38 car manufacturers have signed up to the recession-busting venture which has so far proved an overwhelming success. Figures released for July revealed that new car sales rose for the first time in 15 months, with more than a fifth (21%) coming from vehicles purchased under the scrappage scheme.

And apart from helping jump-start the struggling motor industry, the scheme has also had a positive effect on the environment, replacing heavily polluting old bangers with more eco-friendly and efficient new cars. According to the latest government figures, new cars bought under the scheme are emitting an average of 25 per cent less carbon dioxide than the model they have replaced.

Given such welcoming news, much has been said about the longevity of the scrappage scheme but the Government has insisted that it will not extend the plan beyond the current £300 million advanced thus far. However, those in power may have to reconsider and investigate ways how they can top up the scappage fund as the benefits – to the car industry, supporting businesses and the environment – seem to make such a decision hard, if not impossible, to resist.

Meantime, if you’d like to look for a used car or want o sell or buy a car, Vehicle Text have 1000’s of models to choose from.

audi r8 spider

The eagerly awaited Audi R8 Spyder

‘Official’ images of the new Audi R8 Spyder have been ‘unnofficially leaked’ via a US website, just days before Audi prepares to unveil the car in the metal at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

The new images – presumably intended as R8 Spyder press hand-outs or brochure shots – show this exciting new machine in an interesting shade of chocolate brown. Pending any official information, we can see from the pics that the car’s styling has moved on a little with a new design for the air intakes on the rear flanks – the coupe’s exposed aluminium ’side-blades’ obviously having been deleted. However the R8 Spyder does get a naked aluminium windscreen frame, and we know there’s a fabric hood stowed beneath that twin-podded rear deck.

It all looks good to us, and the Spyder should go well too with the only engine offering being the 525hp, 5.2-litre V10 that Audi recently pinched from Lamborghini to upgrade the R8 Coupe.

Need to buy or sell an Audi - check out our Audi page.

BMW reckons that there is no need for a Z4M, so the best Bavaria offers off the shelf is just over 300bhp. But one man has other ideas – Günther Manhart of Manhart Racing. He decided that what was really needed in the Z4 was that nice V10 from the M5. So with 25 years experience of making BMWs do something special he set about shoehorning the V10 in to the Z4, and just because he could he fiddled with the ECU to give the V10 Z4 a rather more than adequate 550bhp.

The result is a Z4 that can sprint to 60mph in around 3.7 seconds and on to.. Actually, we don’t know, but the limiter has been removed, so your guess is as good as ours. Manhart also adds a stainless steel exhaust system, an M5 six-speed manual and diff and a set of 285/30ZR19 rubber at the back to keep those 550 horses glued to the road.

Manhart Racing hasn’t given us prices for the conversion, but this is a bit more than  a £1k ECU fiddle around.

Need to buy or sell a BMW?

The German car maker says its new 320d Efficient Dynamics model is ‘the most fuel efficient and greenest 3 Series ever’ and along with the high fuel economy, emits just 109g/km of carbon dioxide.

Buyers who opt for the 320d will pay just £35 a year and it also carries a 13% benefit-in-kind company car tax rating.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre engine that delivers 163bhp and a maximum torque of 265lb-ft. It will accelerate from 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds and then on to a top speed of 137mph.

To achieve its high fuel consumption the car is on lowered suspension and uses specially designed aerodynamic alloy wheels with low rolling resistance tyres. Start stop and brake energy regeneration is also featured.

It will also include two-zone air-conditioning, rear park distance control and a multi-function leather steering wheel. SE models will have 17″ alloy wheels.

Pricing is likely to mirror the existing standard 320d SE Saloons.

The BMW 3-Series 320d Efficient Dynamics will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and go on sale in January, 2010.

M600 Noble

Noble have comeback onto the scene nine years after its last project the M12. The British sportscar maker has targeted the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of this world.

The M600, a 650bhp, 225mph, £200,000 hypercar which takes the fledgling manufacturer deep into uncharted territory populated by some of the fastest and most focused models on the market, including the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640-4.

The new engine, a larger 4.4-litre Volvo V8 unit, again fitted with twin blowers to give the M600 a power to weight ratio of almost 600bhp per tonne.

Performance is expected to be on a par with the fastest road car in the world – 0-60mph in 3.0 seconds and 0-100mph in 6.5 seconds should be enough to show anything this side of a Bugatti Veyron a clean pair of heels.

For those that don’t fancy all-out attack mode, all of the time, a three-stage ECU lets you choose between 450, 550 or the full 650bhp output from the engine. And if you’re brave enough to ditch electronic assistance altogether, the toggle used is a missile launch switch from a Tornado fighter plane.

Deliveries of the M600 should start as early as November this year, while the car will make its public debut at the Goodwood revival on 19-21 September.   

The GranCabrio, based on the GranTurismo, completes Maserati’s product line-up that now consists of three different families of models: Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio.

Maserati has previous building convertibles – the notables being the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, 1960 3500GT Vignale Spyder, 1964 Mistral Spyder, 1968 Ghibli Spyder and 2001 Spyder designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

But the GranCabrio starts a new chapter in the company’s history because it is the first Maserati drop-top with enough space for four proper seats. It will be the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market.

It will be powered by a 4.7 litre V8 engine and will go on sale next spring.

Audi TT RS

Swiss tuning company Sportec is offering buyers from the UK  to take delivery of its souped-up 400bhp Audi TT RS.

Sportec remapped the ECU on the 2.5-litre TFSI engine to increase power from the standard 335bhp to 400bhp and boost the maximum torque of 328lb-ft to 401lb-ft at 2,650rpm

This means that, post-conversion, the 0-62mph time for the Sportec Audi TT RS falls from 4.6 to 4.2 seconds. Sportec has also removed Audi’s 155mph top speed limiter.

Buyers opting for Sportec’s upgrade will pay £1,200 including VAT. The Sportec TT is available from UK importer, APS of Brackley.

lexus-compact-hatchback

Lexus to have a rival to BMW 1 series

The lexus manufacturers aim is to take on the German firms in the premium class. They have announced that it will show a premium compact concept car at the frankfurt show.  At present their is only a sketch of how the car will look. It has long been rumoured. That lexus wanted to compete with Mercedes BMW and Audi in the compact hatchback range. Currently in this market their is the clc 1 series and the A3.

Lexus are being cagey on their new baby but have said is its new compact model will demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground breaking design.  At vehicle text we can’t wait to try it out.