Motoring News Review February 2012

Recent press releases from around the Motoring World

Classic 1956 Bristol Completes World Tour

First Pictures of Production Toyota Yaris Hybrid

A New Version of the Jaguar XF 2.2D

Bristol World Tour

Geoffrey Herdman, a member of the Royal Automobile Club, and his wife, Hilary, recently completed a remarkable trip around the world in a 1956 Bristol 405 Drophead Coupe, of which only 42 were made. The trip, which Herdman describes as a 'wrinkly gap year' took 16 months during which time they covered more than 33,000 miles.

To celebrate this achievement, the Royal Automobile Club has put their Bristol 405, registration 10 DPG, on display in the rotunda of its Pall Mall clubhouse from 3 January 2012.

The Herdman's incredible journey involved driving up the east coast of North America to Halifax before crossing Canada and then heading south down the west coast. After a couple of months in South America, they headed across to Australia before the car was shipped back via Turkey for the drive home.

Geoffrey Herdman, who is President of the Bristol Owners Club, says: "Central America was perhaps the most exciting part of the trip. There were no signposts or GPS coverage. The first night in Guatemala, having taken three hours to cross the frontier, we climbed for an hour in first gear on precipitous narrow roads. Long after dark we gave up trying to reach Lake Atitlan and stayed in a roadside hotel at 8,000 feet, it was bitterly cold and we were clearly the first guests to stay in a very long time." He continued “We lost count of how many times we were stopped by the police in Spanish America, but the record was five times in three hours driving through Honduras”.

During the incredible road-trip, the Herdman’s travelled over 33,000 miles, sometimes on awful roads, many of which with no tarmac, climbing to 10,000 feet on several occasions and yet only had $125 spent on repairs! As Geoffrey proudly states “the evidence speaks for itself - the Bristol 405 Drophead is the ideal touring car”.
Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, says: "We are always pleased to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our club members and Geoffrey Herdman's is clearly one of the most remarkable."

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First pictures of the production Yaris Hybrid

The first pictures of Yaris Hybrid have been revealed ahead of the public debut of the car at the Geneva motor show in March. The new model brings together the ingenious packaging and agile handling of Yaris with the high efficiency and refined driving experience of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.

Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling car in Europe and there are more examples on the road than any other from the company’s present and past model ranges. Yaris Hybrid follows the launch of Auris Hybrid in 2010 as the second core Toyota model to feature full hybrid technology, introducing the powertrain to the largest volume segment in the European market. As the new flagship of the Yaris range, it shares the same new-design “face” of Toyota as its conventionally powered sister models, but places priority on aerodynamic efficiency.

Toyota has downsized its Hybrid Synergy Drive for Yaris, combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack. The result is a system that is 20 per cent lighter than that used in Auris Hybrid. Thanks to all the key HSD components being reduced in size, and the location of the fuel tank and hybrid battery under the rear seat, Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as conventional petrol and diesel Yaris models.

The highly efficienct 98bhp (74kW) powertrain will deliver a segment-leading balance of performance and CO2 emissions. Drivers will also be able to make use of drive modes that create zero NOx, particulate and CO2 tailpipe emissions. Automatic air conditioning and e-CVT automatic transmission are fitted as standard, signalling that customers do not have to compromise on comfort in order to achieve low emissions performance.

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New Version of Jaguar's Popular XF Series

A new 163 PS version of the popular and highly efficient XF powered by a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, is set to be launched aimed at delivering greater value than ever before.

Drawing on the strengths of the existing 190PS model, an example of which recently crossed the United States averaging 62.9 mpg, the new, lower output derivative of the 2.2-litre engine will mean the XF range now starts at £29,950 OTR. Despite the lower starting price the new model features an extensive range of standard equipment including suedecloth and leather seats, a touch screen centrally mounted display, electronic climate control and an advanced 8-speed gearbox complete with automatic Stop-Start.

The XF 2.2D 163 PS is capable of accelerating from a standstill to 62mph in 9.8 seconds before reaching a maximum speed of 130 mph. On the combined cycle it can achieve 52.3 mpg and it emits 149 g/km of CO2.

Jaguar dealers are taking orders for the new car now ahead of the first deliveries taking place in March.The XF continues to enjoy a strong following in the UK having won over 80 awards since it was launched in 2008. Since then it's been subject to a relentless programme of engineering and aesthetic enhancements. The 12MY XF is the most efficient and best equipped iteration yet with diverse range encompassing the highly efficient new 163 PS 2.2-litre Diesel model, up to the performance-focussed XFR, equipped with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine producing a mighty 510 PS.

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Have you any news that you think may be interesting to our other readers? Write to Barry at motoring@laterlife.co.uk and we will try to include it if we can.

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