Kia Release New Venga Specification

As expected, Kia announced prices, specification and colours on its all new Kia Venga supermini/MPV.

Kia Venga Details

Kia are holding their first dealer conference today so we should see more detailed specs on the forth coming Kia Venga MPV.

The conference will also discuss the all new Kia Sorento SUV with prices, specs, colours etc.. to follow.

Both are due to launch 1st February.

In other Kia news the Korean car maker has shown its determination to have another great year by announcing its industry leading 7 year warranty across the entire car range. If that doesn't have the likes of Ford and GM quaking in their boots then nothing will.

Hyundai Announce New 'Editions' For 2010

Hyundai will release a slurry of special editions in 2010 based on their popular i10, i20 and i30 models.

Badged 'Edition' each will deliver unique enhancements with eye catching style and added value within the range.

With VAT due to revert back to 17.5% in January, Hyundai are keen to keep their 2009 sales success going by offering better value, high spec versions through styling enhancements to both interior and exterior, based on it's mid range Comfort models.

i10 Edition
By far and away Hyundai's most popular model in 2009 was the Hyundai i10. Selling over 25,000 models or three times it's projected target in 2009, Hyundai simply ran out of stock but recently announced an improvement in the supply chain.

For just £50 more than a Comfort, the i10 Edition offers fantastic value for money and a real stand out package. A comprehensive specification list is complemented by stylish extras to create a more desirable package and a real incentive to up-sell from the Comfort. Key highlights include:

• Air conditioning
• 14" alloy wheels
• Remote central locking
• Electric windows
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Body coloured bumper and side mouldings - the first time offered on i10
• Coloured interior trim

The 1.1 engine ensures that i10 Edition is offered at the most competitive price possible while still providing additional specification over the Comfort. Edition also boasts the lowest insurance costs of any i10 at 2 (1-20 Groups) or 9 (1-50 Groups).

i20 Edition
The new arrival had a slow start to 2009 due to early supply problems but soon set the pace and proved extremely popular with previous owners of the outgoing Hyundai Getz.

The i20 Edition is aimed at the individual who wants an eye catching and stylish car. Offered as a 1.2 petrol and based on the Hyundai i20 3 door and 5 door body styles, it is positioned between the Comfort and Style trims. To really complete an already competitive package, the interior has received special attention, and is now finished with bespoke upholstery featuring high quality genuine leather inserts and contrast stitch detail. Now combining elegant style inside and out, the i20 Edition offers:

• Air conditioning
• 15" alloy wheels
• 'Edition' leather and cloth seat trim with contrast stitching
• Electric windows
• ESP
• Leather steering wheel and gear knob
• Front fog lights
• Remote central locking
• Steering wheel audio controls
• USB and Aux connections

A price walk of £405 over the Comfort 1.2 offers genuine value for money, and as a final measure to promote even more showroom appeal, we are also offering this special edition in two new colours exclusive to Edition, Ice Blue and Crystal White.

i30 Edition
Completing the group, the i30 Edition is instantly recognisable, featuring a sporty body styling package including all new bumpers, front grille and side skirts. Based on the 2010 MY Comfort, it provides a bridge to the top of the range Premium, and gives customers the option of a dramatic exterior makeover, unique interior details, and some high value extras included in the package:

• 'Edition' exterior styling package
• 16" alloy wheels
• Air conditioning
• Privacy glass
• Electric windows
• ESP
• Steering wheel audio controls
• USB and Aux connections
• Front fog lights
• Interior styling package - sports pedals and dials, chrome finished gear knob

Available in a range of popular colours and including Crystal White paint, exclusive to this version in the Hyundai i30 range, the stylish package will provide real showroom presence and stand out appeal. And, offered with 1.4 petrol, 1.6 petrol and 1.6 CRDi 115PS engines, the i30 Edition will provide something for all levels of driver from the value seeker to those that demand more performance.

Scrappage
Hyundai will offer all 'Edition' models onto its successful scrappage scheme. Prices will start from £6,325 for the i10, £7,915 for the i20 1.2 3dr and £9,995 for the i30 1.4 manual.

The new Edition range goes on sale on 4th January 2010.

Kia Strike With New Ceed Special Editions

As well as announcing it's new 2010 pricing structure Kia also launched two special edition models based on the Ceed 5door and sporty 3dr Pro Ceed hatch.

The new Ceed Strike 5dr will be available in three colours including a unique Byte Blue metallic paintwork.

Based around the entry level Ceed 1 with a 1.4 petrol engine, the Strike Limited Editions will include additonal equipment such as 16inch 'Dark' grey alloy wheels as well as Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. Other key features include remote central locking, body coloured door handles and air conditioning. Prices start at £10,995 OTR.

The Pro Ceed Strike will feature the same equipment as the 5dr hatch but with the addition of a rear boot spoiler. Available in unique Byte Blue metallic, Infra Red and Arctic white the Pro Ceed Strike will set a new entry price point for the Ceed range at £10,695 OTR.

With the VAT rising back to 17.5%, car manufacturers are desperately trying to keep the cost of vehicles down. To ensure they remain competitive Kia have set the Ceed Strike's price point by fixing the dealer margin, and like all its special editions, will not be supported by additional bonuses. As much as its network of dealers would like to make money, a lot are in favour of this strategy as it prevents desperate discounting which ultimately hurts the resale value. Not that Kia need any help shifting metal right now.

As they always say in motoring circles 'today's discount is tomorrows depreciation'.

Mazda 3 Gets High 5

The all new Mazda 3 has achieved a 5 star EuroNCAP safety rating.

Meeting a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating, the new Mazda 3 achieved maximum scores in four key areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist.

Mazda 3 is the second Mazda model to be awarded the five-star maximum rating under the new Euro NCAP evaluation system. The new Mazda 6 received five stars in February 2009. Mazda 2 and Mazda 5 received a maximum ranking of five stars for Adult Occupant Protection from Euro NCAP in December 2007 and 2005 respectively.

The new Mazda 3 inherits and evolves these characteristics and, with this recognition from Euro NCAP, is among the safest cars in the important European compact segment.