Audi TT shows its true colours

Individuality breeds content for the increasingly high proportion of Audi drivers wanting maximum scope for personalisation of their chosen model, and to meet this growing desire for ‘made-to-measure’ motoring the Vorsprung durch Technik brand is expanding its choice of bespoke trim options. The TT, with its new range of distinctive exclusive line interior colour schemes, is the latest to benefit. The new four-colour exclusive line option for TT Coupé and Roadster models complements the full-scale Audi exclusive programme already providing buyers with over 30,000 exterior colour choices and virtually limitless opportunity for exclusivity in the cabin.

Priced at £1,750 for 2.0 TFSI versions, and at £1,200 for 3.2 quattros, it adds striking bi-colour Fine Nappa Leather upholstery and extended leather trim taking in the instrument panel cover, door armrest and the sides of the centre console.

The black leather seat edging contrasts with centre sections and door panels in a choice of either silver, crimson red, signal orange or saddle brown, and these are colour matched with stitching and piping for the hand brake handle, steering wheel rim, gear lever gaiter and floor mats. Audi exclusive line scuff plates are also part of the package.

Audi exclusive for an even more personal touch

Audi customers looking to stamp their mark even more decisively on any model in the range can also select from the extensive list of personalisation options offered as part of the wider Audi exclusive programme.

Externally, Audi exclusive opens up the paint palette to include in excess of 30,000 ready prepared colours, and for the ultimate in bespoke bodies, includes the option of ‘one-off’ colour mixes, providing a suitable colour sample can be supplied.

Inside, the exclusive choices include a wide variety of new and unique colour schemes applied to everything from the carpet and floor mats to the seatbelts, the headlining and, depending on the model, even the parcel shelf. Virtually every visible surface can be covered in colour co-ordinated premium quality leather or sumptuous Alcantara, complemented by the finest wood (options available vary by model).

The opportunities for personalisation across the Audi range are exhaustive, and provide plenty of latitude. The team at quattro GmbH, the Audi styling and tuning subsidiary responsible for special projects, is happy to ‘think outside the box’ to try and satisfy every request, no matter how unique its nature. Further information is available from Audi Centres nationwide.

Increasing expenditure on bespoke options

Exclusivity is becoming increasingly important to Audi customers, a rapidly increasing proportion of which are high and very high net worth individuals. Already a collective total of well in excess of £100,000 is dedicated each month by customers to ‘tailor-made’ Audi Exclusive exterior finishes and interior trims alone, with rare or unique body colours, in-car entertainment options and leather trim upgrade packages costing from as little as £300 to as much as £11,000 all proving popular.

Source: Audi

Two new versions of the Honda Accord revealed

Two new versions of the Accord will be launched in September to help Honda battle for honours in the competitive D-sector saloon market. Sales of the Accord are on the increase in 2007, with fleet sales already up by 68 per cent – and the car continues to win industry awards for its refinement, handling and practicality. But customer feedback has urged Honda to launch two new grades of the model in the UK.

“The Accord always finishes near the top of owner surveys, which shows that its drivers love the car,” says Bernard Bradley, Head of Sales for Honda (UK). “But our dealers tell us new buyers – especially those from the corporate sector – want a version that combines the advanced technology offered by high-end models, with more of the sporting features from other Accords in the range.”

The result is the new Sport GT, an Accord that delivers sharp, nimble handling with performance car styling and high-grade equipment.

The new Accord Sport GT features as standard:

- Dark Chrome door handles and front grille
- 17-inch (Saloon) or 16-inch (Tourer) alloy wheels in Dark Graphite finish
- Premium White Pearl paint option – exclusive to this model
- Sports suspension
- Rear boot spoiler, smoked headlights, and foglights
-Carbon-effect inlay fitted within the dashboard and centre console
- Red illuminated dials
- Voice-activated Satellite Navigation system
- Premium Audio system that includes a 6CD changer
- Cruise control
- Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone
- Tourer fitted with rear section privacy glass
-The Sport GT is on sale from 1 September, priced from: £20,767 (OTR).

‘Price Fighter’ SE

The new diesel-engined Accord SE – powered by Honda’s much-lauded 2.2-litre i-CTDi engine – has been developed as an entry-level diesel Accord, specifically to act as a ‘Price Fighter’.

Bernard Bradley continues: “This new keenly-priced car continues the theme of Accord, which has always been to offer a high-spec saloon with the quality you’d expect from a Honda – but at an extremely competitive price, with low running costs. If you’re talking about value for money, the Accord SE beats most cars in the sector, even the new arrivals.”

The diesel SE may be priced at a highly competitive £18,600 (OTR), but it’s remarkably well-equipped – with 16-inch alloys, stability assist, 6-speed gearbox and Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone all fitted as standard.

Not only that, but with the cleaner, low-consumption 2.2-litre i-CTDi engine on board and the low list price, benefit in kind is reduced – meaning lower costs for company car users.

Source: Honda

Jaguar X-TYPE now offers customers even greater value

Revealed yesterday at the Canary Wharf Motorexpo, Jaguar has revised and simplified its X-TYPE model line-up offering customers outstanding value-for-money across the range. By consolidating the current line-up, the new model now benefits from a breadth of feature additions and changes to exterior styling without generating a price increase.
Built at Halewood, Jaguar’s award-winning manufacturing facility in Liverpool, the X-TYPE combines a fresh performance spirit, handling agility and innovative technology with the luxury, craftsmanship and refinement for which Jaguar is renowned.

The latest changes to the X-TYPE model line-up will see the ‘Classic’ and ‘Sport’ derivative dropped, leaving the ‘S’, ‘SE’, ‘Sport Premium’ and ‘Sovereign’ to form the heart of the range.

The refreshed model will retain its four engines – the 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesels, the 2.5-litre V6 petrol and the 3.0-litre V6 petrol all-wheel drive (AWD). The 3.0-litre V6 petrol AWD will only be available to buy in the estate version.

A Fresh Face

The X-TYPE has been given Jaguar’s signature look with a new Bright Mesh Grille. Additionally, two new colours will be available from September production. Porcelain White replaces White Onyx and Blue Prism is a completely new colour for the X-TYPE range.

Outstanding Value

X-TYPE customers can now benefit from outstanding value-for-money with the following popular features now standard across the range:

- Bluetooth connectivity
- 17” Alloy wheels
- Bright mesh grille
- Leather or leather / cloth seats
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Three rear head restraints
- Trip computer with message centre
- Folding 70/30 split rear seats (estate and saloon)
- Cruise control
- Auto Clear View Pack (includes rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and interior rear-view mirror with auto-dimming).

Enhancements to the X-TYPE product range in the UK simplify the line-up to four trim levels, while pricing is more straightforward with exactly £1,000 difference between the 2.0-litre diesel, the 2.2-litre diesel and the 2.5-litre V6 petrol on all specifications:

X-TYPE S (2.0-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.2-litre diesel saloon and estate and 2.5 V6 petrol saloon and estate) – The entry level to the range will be the 2.0-litre diesel S with no price change at £21,500 for the saloon. In addition to the other features being added to the whole range, the X-TYPE S now features upgraded seat functionality to 4 way driver / 4 way passenger and a front centre console with sliding arm rest. The 2.2-litre diesel is priced at £22,500, while the 2.5-litre V6 petrol will be £23,500. The estate costs £1,400 more than the saloon on all engine derivatives.

A new optional 'S Sport' pack is available to order on the X-TYPE S and is priced at £800 for the saloon and £700 for the estate. This includes: Aruba 18” alloy wheels; sports suspension; boot lid spoiler (saloon only) and body coloured grille surround.

X-TYPE SE (2.0-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.2-litre diesel saloon and estate and 2.5 V6 petrol saloon and estate) – The X-TYPE SE adds to the S range with power-folding exterior mirrors, parking aid with front and rear sensors, chrome bumper blades and side window surrounds and 6 way driver / 6 way passenger seat functionality with lumbar support. Pricing has again remained unchanged for the 2.0-litre diesel estate SE, priced at £25,500 and the 2.2-litre diesel at £26,500. The 2.5-litre V6 petrol is now priced at £27,500. The estate costs £1,400 more than the saloon on all engine derivatives.

X-TYPE Sport Premium (2.0-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.2-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.5 V6 petrol saloon and estate and 3.0-litre petrol estate) – The X-TYPE Sport Premium adds to the SE range in the form of an option pack and is priced at £1,000 above the SE price for each engine derivative. Additional features include sport perforated leather 4-spoke steering wheel, sport style seats with perforated leather seat facings, 10 way driver / 10 way passenger seat adjustment with 3 position memory function for driver, 18” Proteus alloy wheels, sports suspension, rear spoiler (saloon only), carbon fibre veneer, body coloured bumpers and grille surround and satin black side window surrounds. The 3.0-litre petrol estate is priced at £30,300.

X-TYPE Sovereign (2.0-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.2-litre diesel saloon and estate, 2.5 V6 petrol saloon and estate and 3.0-litre petrol estate) – TheX-TYPE Sovereign adds to the SE range in the form of an option pack and is priced at £2,500 more than the X-TYPE SE for each engine derivative. The Sovereign option pack features a 6-disc luggage compartment CD changer, classic style seats with leather seat facings and contrast piping, 10 way driver / 10 way passenger seat adjustment and 3 position memory function for driver, metallic paint, Jaguar Premium Surround Sound system and Jaguar Voice. Customers choosing the Sovereign pack will also have a leather steering wheel and Burr Walnut veneer with door inserts.

On sale from July this year, the X-TYPE 2008 Model Year provides a series of specification enhancements across the range that deliver an excellent value-for-money proposition for customers.

Source: Jaguar