Which oil do I need?

Not sure which engine oil to use for your car?

Castrol have got this very nifty tool which tells you exactly which one to use by looking up your registration number.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

My findings:

Jaguar 3.0 V6 = 5w 30 - Fully Synthetic
Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI =  5w 30 - Fully Synthetic
Vectra Dual Fuel SRI = 10w 40 - Part synthetic
Mercddes C220 Diesel = 5w 30 - Fully Synthetic

So the Merc and the Audi can share the same oil, though the velocity of the oil in the Jag is the same I probably should use a different one as it is a petrol.

Hyundai Get Their BlueOn with New Electric Model

Hyundai have jumped on the Electric Vehicle bandwagon in a move they say responds to consumer’s rising demands for eco-friendly cars. They join Japanese competitors Nissan, Honda and Toyota who have already released new electric models such as the Nissan Leaf.

First shown as a prototype at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show as the Electric i10, the Hyundai BlueOn EV is hailed as South Korea’s first full-speed electric car. Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean President, was the first to test -drive the eco-friendly car at an unveiling ceremony at the presidential Blue House.

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Honda Accord

The name Accord was chosen by Honda, which reflects Honda's desire for accord and harmony between people, society and the automobile.  The initial design was changed to a fuel efficient, low emission vehicle since it was introduced during the fuel crises of the 1970s. In the United States and Japan, Honda produced a version was using Honda's CVCC technology, to meet emission standards of the 1970s and early 1980s without a catalytic converter.

The Accord Type-R model was sold in European markets. The 2,156 cc (2.156 L) I4 H22A7 VTEC engine was rated 220 PS (160 kW; 220 hp)@7200rpm and 221 N•m @ 6700rpm. Recaro seats, LSD and stiffer suspension came standard. Other engines in this model included a 1.8L F18B VTEC engine rated at 136 hp and a 2L F20B6 VTEC.

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New Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai was the first model to be styled by Nissan Design Europe, with engineering development led by Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The Nissan Qashqai was globally presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

Approximately 100,000 Nissan Qashqais were sold by the end of 2007 in Europe, including 17,554 in UK, 15,376 in Russia, and 10,746 in Italy.

The top half of Qashqai has a sleek, dynamic form with a distinctive shoulder line which rises at the rear, and the lower portion resembles an SUV with its large wheel arches and a slightly elevated ground clearance. The Qashqai uses the same platform as the X-Trail. Nissan regards the Qashqai as a rival to such cars as the Toyota RAV-4 and the Honda CR-V.

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Used BMW 1 Series Croydon

Since 2004 BMW has been producing the 1 Series which is a small family car, it was originally designed to replace the 3 series compact – which the hatchback variants have done. Up until 2007 there was only a 5 door hatchback version of the 1 series, now there is a coupe, convertible and 3 door hatchback.

Initially the 1 series shared many of its components with the 3 series, which was moved gradually up market. With the Mini as BMW’s super mini it was decided the new 1 series should and would be marketed in between the Mini and the 3 series.

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An artirst paints the Ford Kuga with tyres!!!!

Check this out, Ian Cook aka Popbang Colour recently painted the Ford Kuga live on the Internet with a twist. Ian uses radio controlled cars and car tyres instead of paint brushes

The Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga was built at Ford's plant in Saarlouis, Germany and went on sale at the beginning of 2008.

Ford executives were considering the prospects of sales in North America but scrapped the idea after the car could not be sold both competitively priced and at a profit due to the current dollar-Euro exchange rate in 2007.

In May 2010 Ford announced that it would build unspecified hybrids at a plant in Valencia, Spain. The Ford Kuga Hybrid would be Ford's first hybrid to be sold in Europe, though it has sold almost 100,000 Ford Escape Hybrids in the U.S. since 2004.

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New Nissan 370z Roadster Salisbury

The Nissan 370z Roadster in Salisbury new is the 6th generation Z series car produced by the automaker Nissan, it succeeds the 350z.

Almost every single part of the 370z has been redesigned from the 350z, to ensure improvements were made universally on all aspects of the car. The new 370z is powered by the3.7 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6 with Variable Valve and Lift Control and produces 332 bhp (248 kW; 337 PS).

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Renault Reveal the DeZir

As the Paris motor show draws ever nearer, the debate is hotting up as to which concept will be stealing the show. One of the strong contenders is Renault’s DeZir, an electric concept that is one of six new designs to be overseen by Laurens van den Acker, the manufacturer’s new design head.

The DeZir (spelt as it is pronounced in French) is all about style. It has supercar proportions, being nearly two metres wide and a little over a metre high, with 21 inch wheels and a dramatic red glow, produced by LED lights, that pulses along the spine. It’s certainly a bit of a departure from Renault’s previous styling.

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New Mercedes CLS

Auto Car have revealed the new Mercedes CLS which is to be released in the UK next year. The current CLS model has been with us since 2004, initially I hated it, I thought it looked like a tortoise or an ant eater. Recently however the CLS has become very appealing to me.

Many accredit the CLS for introducing the 4 Door Coupe concept, prompting Audi to release the Audi A7. Since its inception Mercedes has sold more than 170,000 examples of the original car.

 

As with the outgoing model the new CLS is based on a modified version of the current E-class floorpan, with wider tracks to help give it a more aggressive stance. Official dimensions have not been released yet, but the car is wider and longer than the outgoing model, and wider but lower than the E-class saloon.

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New Ford Focus ST

Along with the new line of Focus' - Ford will also reveal the new Focus ST at the Paris Motor show.

The current Focus is popular due to its power, handling and overall hot hatch appeal but, it was never the trend setter when it came to looks. The Focus ST's to date have been pretty modest looking, with just a body kit and slightly larger rear spoiler setting it apart from a normal Focus.

The 2012 ST uses a retuned version of Ford’s four-cylinder, turbocharged Ecoboost engine, now producing 247bhp. That figure puts the Focus on a par with Renaultsport’s Megane 250 and lifts it above the 223bhp of the old model.

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BMW M5

The M5 is the high performance version of the BMW 5 Series executive saloon but built by the Motorsport division. The M5 was first introduced in 1984 at the Amsterdam Motor Show, it was built using the 535i chassis and a modified BMW M1 engine – it was the fastest production saloon car in the world.

The current model, the E60 M5 was introduced in 2005; it has a 4.9 litre BMW V10 engine. It has a peak output of 507 bhp (378 kW; 514 PS) and 520 N•m (380 lb•ft) of torque. It also has a 7-speed SMG III sequential manual gearbox, also known as a single-clutch automated manual transmission.

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Honda show off 1st ever production Hydrogen powered car

New Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is Mazda’s compact car, it was first introduced in 2004 to replace the Mazda 323, the second generation Mazda 3 went for sale in 2010. The Mazda 3 is based on the Ford C1 platform which is also used by the Ford Focus.

The 2010 Mazda 3 is a stylish small hatchback, with value and reliability within its DNA. All variants of the Mazda 3 are good fun to drive. The 3 is renowned for amazing grip and very responsive steering.

There are a few engines variations to choose from, the favourite is the 1.6 Diesel which gives a very impressive 62mpg – that’s hybrid territory. The 182 bhp 2.2 litre diesel is very sporty and fast but, still manages to return over 50 mpg. The 2.3 Litre MPS is the quickest of the bunch.

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Audi TT

In 1998 Audi released the Audi TT, a two door compact sports car. The TT is built in Hungary, it is now in its second generation of production. Audi produced the TT in 2 body styles, a 2+2 coupe and a two seater roadster.

The TT looks amazing; it has inherited Audi’s cutting edge looks with sharp lines and crisp angles. The TT is as good to drive as it is to look at, it is beautifully built. The cheaper models of the TT are also very affordable to own.

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Used Fiesta

The Fiesta is Ford’s supermini, it is built in Europe as well as other countries around the world. Ford first launched the Fiesta in 1976, we are now on the sixth generation Fiesta and like its predecessors it has become very popular across all demographics.

The 2010 Fiesta is great to drive, comfortable and one of the most refined vehicles in its class. The Fiesta is appealing to the masses because of its cutting edge design both on the interior and exterior. The fact that it is a supermini makes it even more appealing to the younger audience, with a used Fiesta  being very reliable and cheap to insure.

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Seat Altea Freetrack Taunton

The Altea Freetrack it combines traditional family transportation, off-road capability and typical SEAT sportiness, all in one package. In 2004 The Seat Altea Freetrack was tested for its safety performance under the Euro NCAP assessment scheme and it achieved a 5-star overall rating.

Seat Altea Freetrack has won many awards across Europe:
•    "Red dot: best of the best" design award, from the Nordrhein Westfalen (Germany) Design Centre
•    'The World's Most Beautiful Automobile 2004', in Milan
•    'Autonis' Design Award, by the 'Auto-Strassenverkehr' and 'MOT' Magazines
•    'Best Concept Car in 2003', by the Designers (Europe) organisation
•    'Towncar of the Year' Award, by Caravan Club in collaboration with What Car? (UK)
•    'Auto Trophy' 2004 and 2005, by the German car magazine Autozeitung
•    “XII Edición de los Premios del Motor” 2005 award by the Spanish magazine Telva
•    'Coche de Flotas del Año' 2005 award by the Spanish magazine Flotas
•    'Ampe' award in 2005 in the Internet category

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Volkswagen

“Volkswagen” means “people’s car” in German, its owners are made up of the likes of the Porsche Family, Emirate of Qatar and the state of lower Saxony. Volkswagen has become one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, Volkswagen is the original marque within the Volkswagen Group, which includes the car marques Audi, Bentley Motors, Bugatti Automobiles, Automobile Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda Auto and commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania.

Volkswagen (VW) was originally formed in 1937 by the National Socialist trade union German Labour Front. VW has always had a close relationship with Porsche, the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche.

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The Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF came out in 2008 to replace the Jaguar S Type.  As the Jaguar TV adverts boast the Jaguar XF won “What Car? Best car of the year” in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Jaguar XF blends together the looks and performance of a sports car while offering refinement and practicality.

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Used Alfa Romeo

As Jeremy Clarkson once suggested, all drivers should at least once in their lifetimes own and drive an Alfa Romeo of some sort.

They are beautifully crafted cars, which look absolutely stunning, their interiors all look hand crafted and detailed by someone who has passion in their craftsmanship. Their engines are always produced to output the maximum power, probably the tipping point - as Alfa Romeo engines are notoriously unreliable.

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