Corsa Nürburgring Edition

A hotter version of the Vauxhall Corsa VXR / Opel Corsa OPC is due in dealers this May. Called the Nürburgring Edition, it gets more grunt, chassis tweaks and a higher price tag.

The 1.6 litre engine benefits from a revised turbocharger and management system, as well as a sports exhaust with reduced back pressure. Interestingly, though, the two GM subsidiaries are reporting different results from these modifications.



Opel claims that power increases from 189 bhp (141 kW / 192 PS) to 206 bhp (154 kW / 210 PS), whereas Vauxhall reckons it only rises to 202 bhp (150 kW / 205 PS). That anomaly is possibly explained by the OPC car being optimised to run on 100 octane petrol, while the VXR has been set up for slightly tamer 98 octane fuel.



What both manufacturers do agree on is the extra torque, which improves from 230 Nm (266 Nm) to 250 Nm (280 Nm). The figures in brackets apply to the turbo overboost function, which can only be used in short bursts.

The effect on performance is a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.8 seconds, while top speed improves to 143 mph (230 km/h).



Significantly, that makes the Nürburgring Edition marginally quicker than the model that’s widely acknowledged as one of the best hot hatches on the market - the Renault Clio Renaultsport 200. But only just, as the Clio sprints to 62 mph in 6.9 seconds before going onto 141 mph (225 km/h).

Of course, how that tiny numerical advantage translates into real world driving will depend on how the Corsa handles the added power. To help, a mechanical multi-plate limited-slip differential is fitted that should hopefully improve traction and keep the dreaded understeer in check.



Replacing the stock spring and damper units are bespoke Bilstein items, which have been engineered to sharpen up the handling while reducing ride height by 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear. The traction control, electronic stability control and anti-lock braking systems have all been recalibrated, too, and completing the chassis make-over are lightweight brakes from Brembo with high performance linings.



Distinguishing the Nürburgring Edition are new 18” high-gloss grey aluminium wheels, a front lip spoiler, the new exhaust and Nürburgring logos on the B-pillars, sill plates and front seat backs.

Buyers are certainly going to have to pay for the upgrades, though. In the UK a standard Corsa VXR costs £18,640, but the Nürburgring Edition will be £22,295.



That’s an awful lot for a Corsa, especially considering that £22,330 would buy the faster - and undoubtedly more desirable - Mini John Cooper Works. It also makes the £17,810 Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 seem rather a bargain by comparison.



In Germany, the Opel Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition will have a recommended retail price of €27,650 (including VAT).



Images © GM Corp.

Top 10: Car sales Q1 2011

UK car sales in the first quarter of 2011 fell 8.7% to 558,336, according to figures released by the SMMT.



With the fleet and business segments showing slight increases on 2010, the decline was due to 57,769 fewer private registrations. However, given the scrappage scheme that was running last year, such a drop was expected.



Probably reflecting those reduced private sales, the proportion of petrol-powered cars dipped to just over 50%. Consequently, average new car CO2 emissions were 140.3g/km, a 3.4% reduction compared to 2010.



The Ford Fiesta retained its position as the most popular car in the UK. Further down the chart, a D segment model from a mainstream manufacturer actually managed to outsell the ubiquitous 3 Series, with the Vauxhall Insignia achieving 11,904 registrations compared to the BMW’s 10,141.

Top 10: UK Car Sales Q1 2011
Position	Manufacturer	Model	Registrations
1	Ford	Fiesta	27,924
2	Ford	Focus	24,435
3	Vauxhall	Corsa	20,536
4	Vauxhall	Astra	17,250
5	Volkswagen	Golf	17,101
6	Volkswagen	Polo	12,214
7	Vauxhall	Insignia	11,904
8	Peugeot	207	10,335
9	BMW	3 Series	10,141
10	Nissan	Qashqai	9,253

Related post:

Top 10: UK car sales 2010

2011 BTCC entries

2011 will see the biggest grid ever for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship since it switched to a two-litre formula. Despite the presence of only two full factory teams - Silverline Chevrolet and Honda Racing Team - ten manufacturers will be represented this season, including newcomers Audi, Proton and Toyota.



The boosted entry list is mainly down to the introduction of the Next Generation Touring Car technical regulations, which have been brought in to slash car development and running costs. Most of those savings will be achieved through the use of standardised parts including brakes, suspension and gearboxes. Using durable two-litre turbocharged engines in the NGTCs should help make the BTCC more affordable, too.



This year starts a period of transition, with the intention being that existing Super 2000-spec cars should have equal performance to the NGTC entries for the next two seasons, after which the latter will become dominant.

Team Aon Ford Focus: S2000 chassis with NGTC engine.

Good news for spectators is that children will get free admission at every round, while pit lane autograph sessions will continue to be a popular feature of race day.



For television viewers, the live package shown on ITV4 and ITV4 HD is going to be six to seven hours long, backed up by a one-hour highlights programme shown later on ITV1 and ITV4. Excellent terrestrial coverage that other championships would do well to emulate (WRC, that means you…).



The opening race of the series is at Brands Hatch on the 3rd of April.

2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship: Entry List
Full S2000 Specification Cars
No.	Driver	Team	Car
1*	Jason Plato (GBR)	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze
20*	Alex MacDowall (GBR)	Silverline Chevrolet	Chevrolet Cruze
8	Robert Collard (GBR)	WSR	BMW 320si
18	Nick Foster (GBR)	WSR	BMW 320si
17	Dave Newsham (GBR)	Geoff Steel Racing	BMW 320si
28	John George (GBR)	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze
29	Paul O’Neill (GBR)	GoMobileUK.com with tech-Speed	Chevrolet Cruze
78	Chris James (GBR)	Team ES Racing.com	Chevrolet Lacetti
43^	Lea Wood (GBR)	Central Group Racing	Honda Integra
S2000 Specification Cars Using NGTC Engines
No.	Driver	Team	Car
2*	Matt Neal (GBR)	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic
52*	Gordon Shedden (GBR)	Honda Racing Team	Honda Civic
5**	Tom Chilton (GBR)	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus
44**	Andy Neate (GBR)	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus
TBA**	TBA	Team Aon	‘Global’ Ford Focus
7	Mat Jackson (GBR)	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus
66	Liam Griffin (GBR)	Airwaves Racing	Ford Focus
14	James Nash (GBR)	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra
34	Tony Gilham (GBR)	888 Racing with Collins Contractors	Vauxhall Vectra
22	Tom Boardman (GBR)	Special Tuning Racing	Seat Leon
55	Jeff Smith (GBR)	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra
77	Andrew Jordan (GBR)	Pirtek Racing	Vauxhall Vectra
99	Tom Onslow Cole (GBR)	AmD Milltek Racing.com	Volkswagen Golf
Full NGTC Specification Cars
No.	Driver	Team	Car
11	Frank Wrathall (GBR)	Dynojet	Toyota Avensis
12	David Pinkney (GBR)	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4
13	TBA	Rob Austin Racing	Audi A4
42	Daniel Welch (GBR)	Welch Automotive	Proton Gen-2
50	Tony Hughes (GBR)	Speedworks Motorsport	Toyota Avensis
* Eligible for Manufacturer and Constructor championships. All other cars eligible for Independent championships.
** Eligible for Constructor championship.
^ BTC specification.

Cruze Hatchback first view

Following the unveiling of the Cruze Hatchback ‘show car’ in Paris last September, Chevrolet has released the first images of the production version that’ll be at Geneva next week.

Apart from some elements that gave the concept a bit more pizzazz - such as the lights and large wheels - not a lot has changed.



Adding a hatch to the existing saloon is bound to extend the Cruze’s appeal, especially in Europe. However, one potential snag for GM could be that the Chevrolet cannibalises sales from its slightly more upmarket cousin, the very, very similar Vauxhall / Opel Astra.



Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback are set to start this summer. Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but a fresh line-up of engines is promised, including a 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) diesel.



The new model is also going to be built in Australia, where it’ll be marketed as the Holden Cruze.



Images © GM Corp.



Related post:

Cruze hatch show car

Zafira Tourer Concept

Vauxhall / Opel is to unveil its Zafira Tourer Concept at next month’s Geneva International Motor Show.

Despite the ‘Concept’ tag, it gives a very strong hint of how the third generation Zafira is going to look.



While some styling elements - such as the striking Ampera-inspired front end - will probably make it onto a production version, others stand less chance. That latter category would include the edge-lit, full-length glass roof, although the panoramic windscreen might well end up being an option.

On the inside, there’s the Zafira’s signature Flex7 three-row seating system. A further development for the concept is the ability to convert the cabin into a roomy four seat ‘lounge’ configuration. This is achieved by folding down the centre section of the second row, which is then replaced by two armrests.



The interior design signals a move upmarket for the Zafira, although it’s expected that the caramel leather and deep-pile carpet of the show car will be replaced by more family-friendly trim by the time that sales start.

Images © GM Corp.

Antara gets updated

The South Korean-built Antara is a fairly rare sight, a situation that Vauxhall will doubtless be keen to rectify with the refreshed 2011 model.

Power now comes from an all-new Euro 5 compliant 2.2 CDTI diesel (there’s no petrol option), which is available in two states of tune: 160 bhp (120 kW / 163 PS) with 350 Nm (258 lb/ft) of torque, or 181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS) with 400 Nm (295 lb/ft).



Kicking off the range is the £19,995 front-wheel drive Exclusiv, obviously priced to undercut SUV rivals such as the £22,300 diesel Volkswagen Tiguan S. Featuring the lower horsepower engine and a revamped six-speed manual gearbox, it’ll accelerate from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 9.9 seconds and go on to a top speed of 117 mph (188 km/h).



Combined cycle fuel consumption of 44.8 mpg (6.3 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 167 g/km aren’t too bad. However, those figures are easily bettered by front-wheel drive versions of the Tiguan and BMW X1, both of which achieve more than 50 mpg (5.6 l/100km) and less than 140 g/km.

The all-wheel drive system can be specified with either engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Under normal conditions all power still gets sent to the front wheels, but up to fifty percent will go to the rears when required. As expected, buyers have to pay extra for the extra traction, with prices rising to £26,905 for the 181 bhp Antara SE Automatic.



Development work has also been carried out on the chassis. The ABS system is improved, and Hill Start Assist is now fitted as standard. Suspension settings have also been revised, with the aim of improving handling while maintaining a decent ride quality.



On the interior there’s better quality upholstery and trim and a new centre console. Exterior changes have been limited to a redesigned grille and lights, plus the fitment of protection panels front and rear.



Vauxhall / Opel is saying that 15,000 Antara sales are expected during 2011, rising thereafter to 20,000 per annum. The largest markets are anticipated to be the UK, Russia, Italy and Germany.



Images © GM Corp.

Top 10: UK car sales 2010

Despite the car scrappage scheme ending in March, figures just published reveal that UK car sales managed to rise very slightly in 2010 compared to the previous year.



Total registrations were 2,030,846, up 1.80% on 2009’s figure. This modest growth was mainly down to increased fleet activity, particularly in the first half of the year.



However, the harsh economic climate continues, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is predicting that sales will fall by 5% in 2011.



The ten best-selling cars in the UK during 2010 were:



1. Ford Fiesta (103,013 registered)

Despite its overall sales dropping by over 36,000 to 280,364, Ford was the manufacturer that shifted the most cars in 2010. The Fiesta remained the most popular model, too, and deservedly so. A great drive, decent equipment and affordable prices make it one of the best superminis on the market.









2. Vauxhall Astra (80,646 registered)

In its first full year on sale, the sixth-generation Astra managed to out-perform its rivals, even though the range has been criticised for its prices. Overall, Vauxhall registrations were up by almost 4%, finishing the year at 247,265.









3. Ford Focus (77,804 registered)

A perennial favourite, the Focus managed to secure third place in 2010’s chart. Sales weren’t too far behind the much newer Astra, a feat that was probably helped by some healthy discounts and fleet sales. Due to be replaced by the third-generation Focus in 2011.









4. Vauxhall Corsa (77,398 registered)

The Corsa is strong on refinement and comfort, but it seems a very large number of buyers still prefer the Fiesta. It’ll be interesting to see what impact the recently introduced Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty has on 2011’s sales figures.









5. Volkswagen Golf (58,116 registered)

One of the best all-rounders on the market, it’s no great surprise to see the Golf make the top ten. Overall, Volkswagen sales were up by over 8% in 2010, with 174,655 cars registered. That was good enough to retain third place in the manufacturer league table behind Ford and Vauxhall.









6. Volkswagen Polo (45,517 registered)

Under the skin, the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza have a lot in common with the Polo, but apparently customers are happy to shun the cheaper brands in favour of Volkswagen. Whatever the reasons for this behaviour, sixth place was a respectable result for the 2010 European Car of the Year.









7. Peugeot 207 (42,185 registered)

Another decent all-rounder, although the somewhat gawky styling and lack of image might have put some buyers off. Peugeot didn’t have a bad year with total sales up over 6% to 109,324, making it the fifth most popular manufacturer.









8. BMW 3 Series (42,020 registered)

It has become a bit trite to say that the 3 Series outperforms its mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia, but the fact is it does. Overall, BMW achieved 109,418 sales in 2010, an increase of nearly 11% that gave it fourth spot in the manufacturer table. A premium brand, but no longer exclusive?









9. Mini Hatchback (41,883 registered)

A fantastic image, low emissions, that terrific chassis and extremely strong residuals continue to make the Mini Hatchback an attractive buy. The only things letting it down are a lack of kit on lower-spec models and a small boot.











10. Nissan Qashqai (39,048 registered)

This British-built crossover is arguably the ideal family car. There’s plenty of choice, too, with front- or all-wheel drive available and ‘+2’ extended wheelbase versions that seat seven. Total Nissan registrations rose by 15% in 2010 to 89,681, but it remained in eighth place in the manufacturer chart.

Buick unveils 2012 Verano

Buick has revealed the 2012 Verano, which will debut at this month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

As with the larger Regal, the Verano is based on a Vauxhall / Opel model, in this case the Astra.



And why not? It makes sense for GM to have a slightly more upmarket alternative to the Chevrolet Cruze in North America, a role that the Astra fulfils in Europe. Such a strategy will also give the company further economies of scale from its Delta II compact car platform, which also underpins the Cruze and Astra as well as other models such as the Chevrolet Volt.

Verano (above) compared to its close relation, the Astra (below)

What differentiates the Verano from its European cousin is the four-door saloon body (the Astra is only available in five-door hatch and estate guises) and the choice of engine. For now, power will come from a 2.4 litre Ecotec four-cylinder motor that produces around 177 bhp (132 kW / 179 PS) and 230 Nm (170 lb/ft) of torque.

Coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox - no manual is available - Buick reckons it should be good for a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of about 8 seconds, while an EPA Highway rating of 31 mpg US (37.2 mpg UK / 7.6 l/100km) is expected. A 2.0 litre turbo engine is due to join the range at a later date.



High levels of luxury and refinement were the focus during the Verano’s development and, to help achieve the latter, extra sound insulation, triple-sealed doors and acoustic glass have all been employed. Buick must be confident about the results, because it’s citing the Lexus IS 250 and Audi A3 as target competitors.

The 2012 Buick Verano will go on sale during the fourth quarter of 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.



Images © GM Corp.

2012 Buick Verano Technical Specification
Body
Style	Four-door, five-passenger compact car
Driveline	Front engine transaxle, front-wheel drive
Construction	Integral steel body-frame with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel; thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
Engine
Type	Ecotec 2.4L DOHC I-4 (LEA)
Displacement (cu. in. / cc)	145 / 2,384
Bore and stroke (in. / mm)	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98
Block material	Precision sand cast aluminium
Cylinder head material	SPM cast aluminium
Valve gear	Overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust
Ignition system	Individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery	Direct injection and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio	11.2:1
Horsepower (bhp / kW / PS @ rpm)	177 / 132 / 179 @ 6,200 rpm (SAE certification pending)
Torque (lb/ft. / Nm @ rpm)	170 / 230 @ 4,800 rpm (SAE certification pending)
Recommended fuel	Regular unleaded or E85
Emissions controls	Close-coupled catalytic converter, variable valve timing, positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system
Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy mpg US)	22 / 31
Transmission
Type	Hydra-Matic 6T45 six-speed automatic, transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive
Gear ratios (:1)	First 4.58, second 2.96, third 1.91, fourth 1.45, fifth 1.00, sixth 0.75; reverse 2.84; final drive 3.23
Chassis
Front suspension	Independent, MacPherson strut-type with side-loaded strut modules, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings
Rear suspension	Specifically adapted compound crank (torsion beam) with double-walled, U-shaped profile at the rear, Z-link (tuneable control arm)
Traction control	All-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering	Rack-mounted electric power steering
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock	2.8
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / metres)	36 / 11
Steering ratio	15.5:1
Brakes	Power-assisted four-wheel disc, electronic brake force distribution and ABS
Front brake disc diameter (mm / in.)	300 / 11.8 vented; single-piston with steel caliper
Rear brake disc diameter (mm / in.)	292 / 11.5 vented; single-piston with steel caliper
Total swept area (cu cc; pad area)	TBD
Wheel size and type	Standard 17” forged alloy; optional 18” alloy (two designs available)
Tyres	225/50R17 ALS / 235/45R18 ALS
Dimensions
Wheelbase (in. / mm)	105.7 / 2,685
Overall length (in. / mm)	183.9 / 4,671
Overall width (in. / mm)	71.4 / 1,815
Overall height (in. / mm)	58.4 / 1,484
Track width front (in. / mm)	60.7 / 1,544
Track width rear (in. / mm)	61.3 / 1,558
Curb weight (lb / kg)	3,300 / 1,497
Headroom front (in. / mm)	38.3 / 973 (without sunroof); 37.2 / 945 (with sunroof)
Headroom rear (in. / mm)	37.8 / 960 (without sunroof); 37.8 / 960 (with sunroof)
Legroom (in. / mm)	42 / 1,068 (front); 33.9 / 861 (rear)
Shoulder room (in. / mm)	55.1 / 1,399 (front); 53.8 / 1,343 (rear)
Hip room (in. / mm)	53.7 / 1,364 (front); 51.9 / 1,320 (rear)
Passenger volume (cu. ft. / litres)	95 / 2,690
Cargo volume (cu. ft. / litres)	15.2 / 430 (max. with tyre inflator kit and without Bose Premium Audio); 14.3 / 405 (with spare tyre / jack kit and without Bose Premium Audio); 14 / 396 (with spare tyre/jack kit and Bose Premium Audio)
Capacities
Trailer towing maximum (lb. / kg)	1,000 / 454
Fuel tank (gal. / litres)	15 / 57
Cooling system (qt. / litres)	TBD

Nine electric cars get grant

The UK’s Department for Transport has announced the first nine models that will be eligible for its Plug-in Car Grant.



Beginning in January 2011, the scheme will see buyers able to claim 25% off the list price (up to a maximum of £5,000) per qualifying vehicle. The government has allocated £43M for the grants up until the end of March 2012, with a review of the programme’s viability beyond that date scheduled for January 2012.



The nine are:

Manufacturer	Model	First UK Deliveries	Price
Mitsubishi	i-MiEV	January 2011	£23,990 including grant
smart	fortwo electric drive	January 2011	TBC. Available to lease in limited volumes from January 2011 ahead of full series production starting in 2012
Peugeot	iOn	January 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Nissan	Leaf	March 2011	£23,990 including grant
Tata	Vista EV	March 2011	TBC
Citroën	CZero	Early 2011	Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month
Vauxhall	Ampera	Early 2012	£28,995 including grant
Toyota	Prius Plug-in Hybrid	Early 2012	TBC. Currently only available to lease in limited volumes
Chevrolet	Volt	Early 2012	TBC

smart fortwo electric drive

Although it looks like there’ll be plenty for customers to choose from, the choice isn’t as wide as it first appears. The Peugeot and Citroën are essentially re-badged versions of the Mitsubishi, while the Ampera shares its underpinnings with the Volt.

Peugeot iOn

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “Today’s news that motorists will be able to choose from at least nine cars under the consumer incentive scheme… will further reinforce the message that the UK is Europe’s leading producer of ultra low carbon vehicles."



Unfortunately the last part of that particular statement shouldn’t be taken at face value just yet. The only model on the list that is definitely confirmed for UK production is the Nissan Leaf. However, domestic manufacturing will only start in 2013, with cars being imported from Japan until then.



Meanwhile, GM Europe has yet to decide whether the Vauxhall Ampera will be built at Ellesmere Port in England, but it has confirmed that the Ampera’s UK price will be £28,995 after the Plug-in car Grant has been applied.

Vauxhall Ampera

A surprising inclusion is the Tata Vista EV, mainly because it’s an unknown quantity in the UK. Apparently it has been developed from the Indica Vista, the previous version of which was the basis for the almost universally unloved and derided CityRover.

Tata Indica Vista

Tata Motors European Technical Centre in Warwick has been involved in the project, and the rumour is that the Vista EV may be built in the UK. A location has yet to be disclosed so, unless there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes, an on-sale date of March 2011 seems very optimistic unless the initial cars are going to be imported from India. And then there’s the slight issue of not having a dealer network to sell through. Maybe Tata will use the showrooms of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries?



Related posts:

Leaf is Car of the Year

US to get wider i-MiEV

SMMT Electric Car Guide

Mitsubishi i-MiEV costs

UK i-MiEV prices slashed

Electric car grants saved

PSA goes electric

The future’s electric

Revised Vauxhall VXR8

UK buyers will once again be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall VXR8. Available from next March, this latest version is based on the just-launched E Series 3 GTS model from Holden’s HSV division.

Power comes from GM’s 6.2 litre LS3 V8, which also sees service in the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette LT. In the VXR8, it’s rated at 425 bhp (316 kW / 431 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the Vauxhall from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).



Drive is to the rear wheels, although customers can choose whether this goes through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A mechanical limited slip differential features as standard.

The VXR8 also comes with some trick chassis technology. Magnetic Ride Control has been borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, and it allows for continuously adjustable suspension via magnetic particles in the dampers. Launch Control meanwhile does pretty much as the name suggests. Engaged when the Electronic Stability Control’s Competition Mode is selected, it governs how much torque is delivered to the rear wheels for maximum traction when accelerating away from standstill.



Inside the cabin, the 2011 VXR8 is equipped with leather-trimmed HSV performance seats, which have eight-way electric adjustment. Those of an enthusiastic nature can monitor their progress via the Enhanced Driver Interface. This displays things like G-force, how much the car is drifting and lap times on the dashboard’s five-inch screen. The data can then be downloaded later to let the driver bore their friends with endless analysis and bragging. Handy for track days, though.

Only six dealers have been chosen to sell the VXR8 in the UK, although a further 28 have been authorised to service it. The on the road price, including VAT at 20%, has been set at £49,500 and orders can be placed from later this month.



That’s certainly a lot for a Vauxhall, and it’ll doubtless put some badge snobs off. But that would be missing the point. Similarly-sized V8 sports saloons from the premium manufacturers are much more expensive, with the Jaguar XFR and Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Saloon costing £62,600 and £71,900 respectively. The smaller BMW M3 Saloon is currently listed at £51,805, and it's probably more of a natural competitor to the VXR8 on price and performance, if not on size.

Leaf is Car of the Year

The Nissan Leaf has been declared 2011 European Car of the Year. It’s the first electric car to win the title, but it wasn’t a unanimous decision.

Fifty-seven motoring journalists from across the continent formed a jury to decide the winner, and each was given twenty-five votes to distribute across the seven finalists. The contest rules stipulate that they had to allocate those votes to at least five cars, with no more than ten points allowed for any one model.



Only three jurors gave the Leaf a maximum score, but nine didn’t give it any votes at all.

Such a divergence of opinion reflected that while it’s technically interesting, the Nissan is still unproven in real world conditions. Some of the journalists also recognised that the Leaf is very much a first generation electric car; future models will undoubtedly have better range, shorter recharging times, and cost less.



Consequently, it was a close result, with second and third spots being occupied by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Vauxhall / Opel Meriva.

2011 Car of the Year
Position	Model	Votes
1	Nissan Leaf	257
2	Alfa Romeo Giulietta	248
3	Vauxhall / Opel Meriva	244
4	Ford C-Max / Grand C-Max	224
5	Citroën C3 / DS3	175
6	Volvo S60 / V60	145
7	Dacia Duster	132

Related posts:

2011 CotY nominations

Electric car grants saved

Leaf to be built in UK

Alfa Giulietta prices