Steering Column
Fresh breeze
It may not be the swiftest version, but there’s a new Volkswagen Scirocco on sale now that may yet be one of the most popular versions.
Powered by a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine that turns out 120bhp of power, it’s a new bargain basement version of the little coupe that’s like a sexier sister of the practical five-door Golf.
It will cost you £18,860 and for that you get a sleek little road car with a six-CD autochanger, automatic lights and wipers, an onboard computer, air-conditioning and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The performance isn’t eye-watering – it takes nearly 10 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph. However, it will give impressive fuel economy, sipping one gallon of unleaded every 44.1 miles. With carbon dioxide emissions down at 146g/km it is also the cleanest petrol Scirocco on the road.
New verve
Peugeot has put two new engines in the model range of its little 207 hatchback. At the moment it can be bought with a 75bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 70bhp, 1.4-litre diesel engine. This month there are two more powerful options added to the list.
The new 1.4-litre petrol engine is a VTi unit that turns out 95bhp and the new diesel, despite being only a 1.6-litre engine, offers 90bhp.
When you look at the performance tables, the new 207 comes out well in both new versions. Despite having 15bhp more than the standard petrol-engined version, the VTi is significantly more efficient. The 75bhp will do around 44mpg while the 95bhp is actually cleaner and more efficient – it will do approaching 48 miles on a gallon of go-juice, do the 0-62mph sprint three seconds faster (in 12.8 seconds), and it’s got a top speed 5mph quicker at 115mph.
The new diesel is also faster and quicker than the less powerful 70bhp existing engine. The top speed is 113mph, it will do the sprint in 12.9 seconds and yet its fuel consumption is identical at 62.4mpg.
Prices for the four engines now available start at the bottom near £13,000 for the 1.4-litre, 70bhp petrol, and rise to the 1.6-litre diesel which will cost you £14,481.
Something silly for the weekend
Aston Martin, that fine purveyor of quality automotive excellence, is hoping its latest super car will break a few records.
Called the One-77, it’s a two-seater, two-door sportscar that, it’s hoped, will have a top speed over the 200mph mark. Testing has been encouraging, we’re told.
Powered by a 7.3-litre, 12-cylinder engine, only 77 will be built and deliveries will begin in the middle of the year.
Something useful for the jam
Citroën is putting satellite navigation technology into every Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay van.
As of the first of the year, the Trafficmaster Smartnav/Trackstar system will be built in as a matter of course in case the drivers get lost, along with enhanced vehicle tracking if the cars should get stolen.
Mike Grundon
