Plymouth Evening Herald, The

Secondhand Fiesta Is a Car for Our Times

A CAR for the times. That's how the sixth generation Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCi Finesse can be summed up because at under Pounds 3,000, this is a diesel car that will deliver up to 76mpg, writes Tim Saunders. Ideal for someone like me, who has been made redundant - with their first child on the way - and in need of a sensible car.

Nissan Cube Comes with a 'Wow' Impact

WHEN I first saw a Nissan Cube on the streets of Tokyo it was a true "wow" moment, writes Tony Lewis. How could a company have the audacity to design and produce such a car? It was, I thought, the ultimate sensible city car - small but with plenty of room and buyers seemed to agree.

Renault's Roadster Gets the Wind Up

THE challenge for Renault's technicians was to create a striking looking, robust, affordable twoseat roadster - their response is the new Wind, writes Chris Adamson. Visually, it has to be admitted, the Wind isn't the most attractive small convertible around, its dumpy, short overhangs finish rather abruptly and the mix of old and new styling doesn't entirely work for me.

Qubo Trekking has a Lot of Personality

INTRODUCED as a new trop grade version of Fiat's funky and functional Qubo, the Trekking adds a bit more personality to what was a rather quirky looking vehicle, writes Chris Adamson. It sits an imposing 20mm higher than a standard Qubo so is more commanding while the larger front bumper and sump guard gives it an off-road air and the Pirelli 2500 M&S (mud and snow) tyres, dark tinted rear windows and roof rails are nice finishing touches.

Ozzie's On the Mend Thanks to John ; Serious Damage to a Classic Vehicle Can Spell Disaster. Kim Henson Relates How One Westcountry Repairer Is Able to Work Wonders in Restoration

IT'S always sad when a cherished classic car is badly damaged in a road accident, or is very seriously rusty - in either case its future existence may be called into serious doubt. However, fortunately there is often a happy ending, thanks to the determination of the owners of these old timers, and to the metalworking skills applied daily by firms such as KMJ Restorations in Exeter.

Lightweight A6 Arrives Next Month

AUDI has released the first details of its all-new A6 saloon. Expected to arrive in the UK in the spring, the German car maker has put considerable emphasis on reducing the car's weight, fuel consumption and emissions.

Drunk Passengers Can Be a Hazard

DRUNK car passengers can be as dangerous as drivers who drink, according to a new survey. As many as 76 per cent of car owners have driven drunken passengers home from parties, the poll by insurance company swiftcover.com found. The survey showed that more than 100,000 accidents and 650,000 near misses a year are caused by drunk passengers.

Prospects Improving for the Used Car Market

HIGH quality used cars will command stronger prices early in the New Year, as availability of stock dwindles according to CAP, the used car pricing experts. It means consumers looking to trade in clean, well-maintained vehicles can expect enthusiastic offers from dealers looking to keep their forecourts fresh.

Special Offers On Mazda 2 Brighten Up the New Year

THE significantly upgraded Mazda 2 model range is now on sale priced from Pounds 9,995 on-the-road. And Mazda dealers have a series of special offers on the model from now until January 3. These finance packages include a 36 months, zero per cent deal with a 50 per cent deposit.

Subaru and Isuzu Help Keep Aa On the Move

WITH the UK road network grinding to a halt as a result of severe winter weather, the AA has called on the IM Group to provide a small fleet of Subaru and Isuzu vehicles to ensure key members of its staff can keep mobile. IM Group has arranged for four vehicles to be delivered, including a Subaru Forester 2.0 XS Auto and a Subaru Outback 2.5i SE NavPlus, chosen for their sure-footed permanent Symmetrical All- Wheel Drive systems and high levels of active and passive safety equipment.

Seat's Cupra R Is Eager and Flexible

MANY manufacturer's ranges feature a high performance flagship - yet when judged by such measures, Seat's latest Leon Cupra R instantly displays all the attributes of a standard setter, writes Dave Moss. Featuring a unique application of what is easily Seat's most powerful production engine to date, the Cupra R's 2.0-litre, four cylinder unit delivers 265 turbocharged horsepower - that's close to boiling point in today's rarefied, genuinely hot hatchback league.

'Smart' Kit Marks Out New Focus

FORD'S all-new Focus range, priced from Pounds 15,995, will introduce an equipment list of high technology "smart" features to the medium car market when it goes on sale next year. Standard equipment on all models will include Ford's Torque Vectoring Control technology which debuted on the new Ford C-MAX. This electronic system balances the distribution of engine torque between the driven front wheels to optimise grip and stability irrespective of driving conditions or road surface.

Latest Micra Goes On Show

THE new Nissan Micra has arrived in time for the New Year. A display vehicle of the fourth generation city car - and first new design to launch in seven years - will be on show at Vospers Nissan dealership in Valley Road Plympton from January 2. The official launch is on January 5 but the new Micra can be previewed at Vospers showroom from the arrival date. Prices for the Micra start at Pounds 8,995 and, if ordered before December 31, will be protected against the VAT increase.

Repair Bills Set to Soar in Freezing Weather

MOTORISTS could be hit by an unwanted repair bill of Pounds 408 this winter, as the freezing weather makes some car parts more likely to fail. The warning comes from specialist insurer, Warranty Direct, which analysed data from its 50,000 live automotive policies to reveal that ignition coils are almost three times more likely to fail between December and February than between June and August.