Kia release early version of Sportage

Posted on 2010/07/22 by Tomauto

Kia brought forward the Autumn launch of its all new Kia Sportage with a special edition model.

Badged as the First Edition, the model allows Kia to enter the September registration deadline in order to get the new crossover into the market place and into the minds of it’s customers.

The launch of the full range of new Sportage remains on schedule for later this year and will feature a full grade line-up as well as various powertrains – including 2.0-litre engines as well as all-new 1.6 GDi Direct Petrol Injection and 1.7 CRDi Turbo-diesel engines. Both of these new powertrains feature Intelligent Stop-and-Go (ISG) technology, and are highly fuel-efficient 2WD variants.

The new Sportage First Edition offers a choice of 5 colours and is priced from £20,777 for the 6-speed manual and £22,007 for the 6 speed automatic.

Posted in Kia, Sportage | 2 Comments

Micra makes way for Juke

Posted on 2010/07/21 by Tomauto

With austerity measures and the tightening of belts in the UK, the future of the North East of England, with the closure of Corus and all, must seem pretty bleak.

Micra production at Sunderland

Micra production at Sunderland comes to an end

Add Nissan’s recent decision to stop production of the Micra, and the proud North East folk on the cobbled streets of Sunderland must have thought their worst nightmare had come true. OK i made the cobbled streets up, but i’m trying to set the scene.

After 2.3 million units and 18 years of what were arguably the best production Micra’s in the world, the Sunderland-based plant said its final farewell. Of course that’s not the end of the Micra. Growing markets like India offer the ideal opportunity for Nissan to retool and cater for the huge domestic market. Plus, the joint owned factory with Renault in Chennai, India, means the new model, due for the UK in September, can continue to flourish.

However, there were no tears of sadness, only joy, as the news rolled in that the new Nissan Juke was pencilled in for production from mid-August.

There’s a lot riding on the Juke. Nissan see this car as setting the new benchmark in what is a rather dull B-segment. Like the Qashqai, Nissan are hoping the Juke will offer a funky alternative to those wanting SUV practicality, hatchback convenience and sporty looks.

Early signs, especially in Japan, seem to suggest their on the right track. Only time will tell.

Posted in Juke, Nissan | 1 Comment

Nissan Juke exceeds sales target

Posted on 2010/07/06 by Tomauto

It would seem Nissan’s initial target of 1300 Juke units was a little conservative judging by pre-orders in Japan.

Of course the Japanese love their cars as much as we do and the quirkier the better.

That being said, whoever did the market research for Nissan must be hiding under a table right now.

A quote from Nissan’s PR team:

“So who’s going to be driving Juke?
He’s the retrosexual male – a traditionally masculine, proud, stylish, assertive, competitive,
cut-to-the-chase kind of guy. He’s in his early 20s, the original male who works hard and plays hard, adding his own spin to ensure he stays progressive and modern.”

Not judging by the stats he ain’t.

Posted in Juke, Nissan | 2 Comments