New car lines - Wheels Within Wales

Following on from their debut at the Geneva motor show, Škoda has announced prices for its improved Fabia and Roomster models. With new engines, a fresh face and a whole raft of technical refinements, both the Fabia supermini (right) and Roomster MPV (*below*) are even more attractive than ever. And being Škodas, both also represent great value for money, with the Fabia range starting at just £9,330 and the versatile Roomster from only £11,260, all prices with 1st April Road Fund Licence included.
The result is a reduction of both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as well as improved performance and refinement. Nowhere is this more apparent than when the new 1.2 TSI 105bhp petrol engine is combined with the optimised, two-clutch seven-speed DSG transmission. The new look is most evident in the redesigned radiator grille and 3D-shaped headlamps, which have been considerably widened, highlighting the stronger horizontal line of the cars’ faces. This gives both Fabia and Roomster a more dynamic look, while losing none of the cars’ elegance and appeal. Both cars also benefit from a new range of engines which includes four petrol and two diesel units, with power outputs ranging from 60bhp through to 105bhp.
The vast majority of Škoda's new engines benefit from direct fuel injection, while many feature turbocharging technology.This delivers impressive power with excellent combined fuel consumption of 53.3 mpg and a CO2 emissions reduction of 56g/km to 124g/km (against the previous 1.6 105bhp Tiptronic). The four-cylinder 1.2 TSI engine is available in two power levels – 85 bhp and 105bhp. Both of these will also be available with a five-speed manual transmission. Both Fabia and Roomster are available in S, SE and Scout specifications, while the Fabia line up also features Elegance trim level.

	Sharper looks and new high-tech on-board features are central to Lexus’s revision of its best-selling IS sports saloon for 2010. Inspired by the ultra-high-performance IS F, the IS range has been extended with a new F-Sport grade that focuses on highly desirable sports styling features. The new F-Sport grade, available for both IS 250 and 220d models, takes its cue from the high impact styling of the IS F and is positioned in the IS line-up between the established SE-I and SE-L models.
The dedicated F-Sport exterior features include lowered suspension with the IS 250 only, exclusive 18-inch wheels and an IS F-style front grille and rear bootlid spoiler. In the cabin there are aluminium sports pedals, IS F-style sports seats, steering wheel and on the IS 250 automatic gear lever. The seats are finished in a combination of Alcantara upholstery with leather side bolsters. A black-on-black interior colour scheme is complimented by a black headlining and grey stitching detail on the front seats and steering wheel. F-Sport models share a number of premium equipment features with SE-L grade, including rain-sensing wipers, HID headlights with AFS, 13-speaker audio system and memory settings for the front seats and door mirrors. The IS 220d F-Sport is £28,290 with manual gearbox and £29,365 for the IS250 automatic while the IS range starts at £24,350 and rises to £30,150.


The Ford Figo small car will be launched throughout India in a few weeks as part of the company’s $500 Million investment in new products there. The Figo provides an exceptional choice to modern Indian drivers by offering a B-segment vehicle at a sub-B price equivalent to about £5,100 at entry point. Comparatively small by European standards at 3.8 x 1.7 metres, it seats five and is intended to be more aspirational than the much cheaper Nano by Tata Motors. It is aimed squarely at more than 70 percent of the country's new vehicle market.