Parts Master K6122 Upper Ball Joint on 2040-parts.com

Opel Ampera: the full, official technical story

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 25 March 2009 10:05 Opel/Vauxhall predict that the new Ampera production car will sell more in Britain than anywhere else in Europe. The extended range electric vehicle, unveiled at the recent 2009 Geneva motor show, will go on sale here in late 2011 and marketing bosses say the UK is more accepting of hybrids and alternative vehicles than other markets. It’s not clear at this stage how much the Ampera will cost in the UK, but we’re looking at a likely cost around £20,000.

VAT-free Alto offer extended

YOUNG car buyers have some early festive cheer to celebrate, with the announcement that Suzuki has extended its ‘VAT-free’ offer on the cute Alto city car model until the end of the year. The deal effectively takes £1,200 off the list price of the entry-level Alto SZ. That makes the five-door runabout just £5,999 to buy, and with a low deposit of £779 it can be driven away for £99 per month.

SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS costs from £22,075

The SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS (pictured) arrives in the UK from £22,075 The 2013 SEAT Leon arrived at the Paris Motor Show last year as the Spanish take in the VW Golf. And now the SEAT take on the Golf GTD is in the UK – the SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS. With a dose of Spanish flair making the SEAT a more flamboyant, and appealing, car than the Golf, it comes with the same 181bhp 2.0 litre diesel as the GTD, offering 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and 67.3mpg.