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<title><![CDATA[Kia warns of email scam]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - A warning has been issued by Kia about an email scam that is using the car maker's name.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:19:10 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Picanto]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - Kia has upped its game lately with its mainstream offerings, but it still offers the Picanto for super low price motoring.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:32:56 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia wireless driving]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - Kia removes the steering wheel and pedals with its new 'DORK' driving system.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:21:49 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia's wii joke]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Kia is calling for the legal driving age to be dropped to eight-years old for its new KEE_wii concept car.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:22:14 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Koup concept]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - Kia shows a coupé concept at New York that looks close to production.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:58:10 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Barmy Kia concepts preview new crossover]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Kia has unveiled three new concept cars all based on the same basic Soul model, which will go on sale.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:21:22 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Sportage 2.0-Litre Petrol : ENTRY LEVEL EXCELLENCE]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - If Youre After A Budget 4x4 And Want The Security Of A New Purchase, Look No Further Than Kias Sportage 2.0-Litre. Andy Enright ReportsFew things are cut and dried when it comes to purchasing new cars. Heres one that is. If you want a compact 4x4, and dont want to spend a lot of money, either buy secondhand or buy a Kia Sportage 2.0-litre model. As one of the least expensive contemporary 4x4s its possible to buy, the Sportage offers a modern and smartly styled compact sports utility thats slick enough to pass muster.There are some less expensive 4x4s than the Kia, but these are based on rather ageing platforms and are a good deal less sophisticated. The Sportage is based on the same chassis as the Hyundai Tucson, yet crucially undercuts the Hyundai by a few hundred pounds. This is significant, as in many respects, its Hyundai putting a toe in the water and assessing whether they can charge a few hundred pounds extra for some perceived badge equity. My advice would be to show Hyundai what they can do with this venture and stick with the Kia. Its materially no inferior to the Tucson and offers the same advantages and shortcomings. Somewhat improbably, the Hyundai Elantra hatchback provides the underpinnings for both the Sportage and the Tucson. This should also give you a clue as to why the Sportage rides so well on road. The suspension set up is a good deal more sophisticated than the rather rudimentary configurations found on many small 4x4s and offers car-like levels of comfort. In the latest models revised dampers have addressed the problem of body-roll in corners with some success while a more accurate powersteering system has sharpened responses. The part time four-wheel drive system does just enough to offer a degree of off road capability yet doesnt mean the car is encumbered by heavy duty hardware thats very rarely used. The 4WD Sportage actually operates in front-wheel drive mode most of the time and most will find the 2.0-litre petrol engine more than adequate. If you decide you dont need four driven wheels at all, you can always opt for a 2WD model that ditches the off-road mechanicals. With 141bhp on tap, the engine uses continuously variable valve timing and thrives on revs. Peak power arrives at a very high 6,000rpm and the modest 136lb/ft peak torque arrives at 4,500rpm. This should tell you a couple of things. Firstly, that this petrol engine isnt great at the sort of low-down lugging required of serious off roaders and secondly that if you want to get anywhere quickly, youll need to work the engine to do so. Engine refinement isnt the best, but the good news is that the powerplant sounds reasonably purposeful. Its also surprisingly brisk in a straight line, the Sportage getting to 60mph in 11.3 seconds and running on to a top speed of 108mph. The styling is reasonably contemporary and certainly isnt going to look out of place amongst a gaggle of Toyota RAV4s and Honda CRVs. Three equipment levels are available as is an automatic transmission option. Buyers choose between XE, XS and TITAN specs at prices starting from £13,995 for the 2WD XE model."The Sportage is modern in both execution and philosophy"The Sportage also adopts a few MPV-style practicality features. The rear seat cushion and the backrest are a case in point, adopting Kias Fold and Dive system. Whilst it may sound like a tactic taught by Argentinean football coaches, it is in fact a method of creating a spacious, square-sided and completely flat cargo area. The front passenger seat backrest can also be folded flat to house extra long loads and at the back theres even a flip-up rear window which means that items can be dropped into the luggage area without having to open the tailgate. Not that opening the tailgate is overly difficult. Unlike many compact 4x4s, the Sportage is big enough to keep the spare wheel in its proper place under the luggage bay floor instead of mounting it on the rear tailgate. This means that the tailgate is pleasantly light to open and doesnt whistle at motorway speeds a problem that afflicts cars with hatch mounted spares. Inside, the seating was remodelled to give increased comfort and the indicator stalk is now where it should be, on the left side of the steering column. The Sportage was launched before the ceed redefined the standard of build quality we could expect from Kia but its still acceptably solid. Low grade plastics let the side down in places but the controls are very straight-forward to use. On the right of the steering wheel assembly are the switches for the four-wheel drive system but only if youve gone for one of the four-wheel-drive models. The entry-level Sportage derivatives use a conventional 2WD set-up and even the model expensive 4x4 versions send power exclusively to the front wheels until slippage is detected. Then power can be redirected aft to maximise grip. The exterior styling is neat without offering too much in the way of signature detail. The chunky wheelarches give the car a rather over-inflated look but the overall effect is not unpleasant. It just blends into the background a little. The latest cars can be identified by their single bar through the grille plus the reshaped headlamps and bumper but its still nothing very dramatic. Offering a car that looks not unlike many rivals costing thousands of pounds more may indeed be a wise move. The only change Id consider would be the fitment of wider wheels to fill out those chunky arches a little more convincingly. The Sportage 2. 0-litre shows this model in its best light underlining its low pricing and generous equipment levels. Although higher mileage drivers may prefer to save for the 2.0-litre diesel model the fuel economy advantage is not as great as you might imagine, for most customers this petrol engine will be more than adequate. Buying a modern compact 4x4 neednt mean mortgaging yourself to the hilt any more. Facts At A Glance CAR: Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol range PRICES: £15,345-£19,435 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 11 CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-194g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.1s / Max Speed 108mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined) 34.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4325/1840/1730mm]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Sportage 2.0-Litre CRDi : KILLS BILLS]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Logic Dictates That The Smart Money Buys Diesel These Days But Does Buying A Budget Diesel 4x4 Stack Up? Andy Enright Takes A Look At Kias Sportage 2.0-litre DieselAs a schoolboy, there were few words I dreaded more than "Get your pen, pencil and ruler out for mathematics." Maths was a definite blind spot for me, largely due to a teacher who was utterly unenthusiastic and the fact that I spent two years sitting next to the class clown. Fortunately only a very basic level of arithmetical prowess is required to figure out whether the Kia Sportage 2.0-litre diesel makes a very wise buy.Lets look at the bottom line first. The diesel Sportage range starts at £15,995 for the 2WD XE version with the automatic gearbox while the better-equipped XS variant is priced from £17,495 in 2WD automatic form. If you want a four-wheel-drive model, youll need to tack another £200 onto those prices and settle for a manual gearbox. As a point of reference, the 2. 0-litre petrol version of the Sportage costs £13,995 in XE trim with 2WD but that model has the manual gearbox, so buying diesel is going to cost you around £1,200 extra. Is it worth it? That may well depend on how many miles per year you drive and how long you plan to keep the car. If, like many British motorists, you average around 12,000 miles a year and plan to keep your Sportage diesel for three years before trading it in against something else, the figures are interesting. A petrol Sportage XE will consume around £3,800 worth of fuel whereas the diesel will sup in the region of £3,500 worth of fuel. A £300 fuel saving for an additional expense of £1,200 may not seem particularly special, but think of it as a bonus. You see, when the time comes to sell the Sportage diesel, itll hold onto its value better than its petrol counterpart, and given that many owners will finance their buy with a guaranteed residual value at the end of their ownership period, the diesel version should work out the more cost effective buy. Cover more miles and the sums will swing increasingly in favour of the car that drinks from the black pump. Maths exercise over, its now time to look at what youre actually getting for your money. This is a modern common rail powerplant and emissions are pegged at a very respectable 187g/km. With four cylinders displacing 1991cc, this Euro IV-compliant 16v engine now develops 138bhp at a fairly high 4,000rpm and 305 Nm of torque. Its good for a top speed of 104mph and will cover the sprint to 60mph in 13.8 seconds. The engine seems to lack the midrange shove of most common-rail diesels, almost as if its turbocharger was bleeding away boost, but the flipside of this is a very pleasant linearity of feel that makes it an easy engine to live with day in, day out."This diesel engine doesnt have that elastic lag and surge characteristic that afflicts so many other such units"A combined fuel economy figure nudging 40mpg is respectable going for such a spacious vehicle and even around town the Sportage will see over 30mpg. The diesel is moderately capable off road, although anything too arduous will betray its comparative lack of wheel articulation. Even over modest obstacles, the 4x4 Sportage is prone to lifting a wheel and the four-wheel drive system isnt quite clever enough to realise when one wheel is six inches off the ground and divert drive to the other one. Instead, it uses a more rudimentary torque on demand system that keeps the Sportage in front wheel drive up until that moment when the front wheels start slipping. It then transfers a percentage of drive to the rear wheels. Unfortunately it seems a little dull witted when performing this task, allowing the car to sit spinning its front wheels impotently for a few seconds before deciding to switch to all wheel drive. The Sportage also adopts a few MPV-style practicality features. The rear seat cushion and the backrest are a case in point, adopting Kias Fold and Dive system. Whilst it may sound like a tactic taught by Argentinean football coaches, it is in fact a method of creating a spacious, square-sided and completely flat cargo area. The front passenger seat backrest can also be folded flat to house extra long loads and at the back theres even a flip-up rear window which means that items can be dropped into the luggage area without having to open the tailgate. Not that opening the tailgate is overly difficult. Unlike many compact 4x4s, the Sportage is big enough to keep the spare wheel in its proper place under the luggage bay floor instead of mounting it on the rear tailgate. This means that the tailgate is pleasantly light to open and doesnt whistle at motorway speeds a problem that afflicts cars with hatch mounted spares. Inside, the seating was remodelled to give increased comfort and the indicator stalk is now where it should be, on the left side of the steering column. The Sportage was launched before the ceed redefined the standard of build quality we could expect from Kia but its still acceptably solid. Low grade plastics let the side down in places but the controls are very straight-forward to use. On the right of the steering wheel assembly are the switches for the four-wheel drive system but only if youve gone for one of the four-wheel-drive models. The entry-level Sportage derivatives use a conventional 2WD set-up and even the model expensive 4x4 versions send power exclusively to the front wheels until slippage is detected. Then power can be redirected aft to maximise grip. The exterior styling is neat without offering too much in the way of signature detail. The chunky wheelarches give the car a rather over-inflated look but the overall effect is not unpleasant. It just blends into the background a little. The latest cars can be identified by their single bar through the grille plus the reshaped headlamps and bumper but its still nothing very dramatic. Offering a car that looks not unlike many rivals costing thousands of pounds more may indeed be a wise move. The only change Id consider would be the fitment of wider wheels to fill out those chunky arches a little more convincingly. Slapping a low sticker price on a car isnt anything particularly clever. Being able to do so while at the same time offering a quality product is a trickier proposition. Kia have pulled that off with the Sportage 2. 0 CRDi diesel. If you need a small 4x4 and are looking to use it for towing (the towing limit is now 1,800kg), light off road use or just want to keep day-to-day running costs at a manageable level, look no further.Facts At A Glance CAR: Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi diesel range PRICES: £15,995-£18,995 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 9D CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-210g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.8s / Max Speed 104mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Urban) 31.7mpg / (extra urban) 45.6mpg / (combined) 39.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4325/1840/1730mm]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:55:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Carens Range : BETTER BY DESIGN]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Despite offering a more upmarket look and feel, Kias Carens hasnt abandoned its target clientele. Andy Enright ReportsKias Carens was always one of those cars that found its natural niche. The cheapest of the mini-MPVs, it was a model that almost sold itself, helped in no small part by the fact that its budget Korean rivals, the Daewoo Tacuma and Hyundai Matrix were, respectively, too ugly and too small to offer much in the way of a challenge. A new wave of more sophisticated mini-MPVs has done much to alter buyers expectations of what these vehicles should look like and be capable of. No longer is just a big box with five seats and a few cupholders enough. The latest Carens has a few more tricks in its locker, together with a look and feel thats anything but bargain basement.The original model debuted way back in 2000 and a 2003 makeover did much to freshen its appeal but in the last few years, a whole host of new market entrants have revolutionised the mini-MPV sector. Now customers demand sleek styling, punchy powerplants and a whole host of choice when it comes to specifying their vehicle. The side effect of this is that mini-MPVs have become desirable vehicles in their own right rather than the distress purchases of cash-strapped parents. The key decision in this sector that has taxed the minds of many major manufacturers is whether to develop a five or a seven seat model. Volkswagen and Ford were midway through the design process of five-seat MPVs when Vauxhall launched the seven-seat Zafira, completely changing the rules. Original designs were scrapped, only to be revisited when it was realised that there was a niche for five seat models. Kia neatly sidesteps this quandary by offering the latest Carens in both five and seven seat guises."Whats not up for debate is how much larger the current Carens is compared to its already sizeable predecessor.The ultimate testament to how well these vehicles are packaged comes when you try to lever an adult into the back row of a seven seat model. With most mini-MPVs, their knees will be up around their ears and theres a very good reason for this. Not only is overall legroom limited by the sheer amount of cabin space required to fit three rows of seats, but the petrol tank is usually situated under the last row, forcing the cabin floor upwards. Next time you get in any other seven-seat mini-MPV, get a tape measure and check the height between the top of the seat cushion and the floor. Its often around four or five inches which is frankly laughable. Kia has got around this problem by designing a shallow petrol tank that sits inside the rear suspension subframe. This drops the floor height by some 40mm, allowing for a more relaxed seating position. The Korean company reckons that adults of 511" will be comfortable in the rearmost row of seats in the seven seat model although that may be pushing it. Although the overall length only rises by 50mm, moving the wheels towards each corner means that the wheelbase and, consequently, space in the passenger cell has been extended by 130mm. While this was a move popular a couple of years ago, the quest to improve pedestrian safety has seen frontal overhangs grow in many cars. A full Euro NCAP safety test will show how well the Carens fares in this regard. With anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution fitted as standard, the Kia is in a respectable position to avoid impacts in the first instance. Whats not up for debate is how much larger the current Carens is compared to its already sizeable predecessor. We tend to break the MPV market up into three distinct categories, the supermini MPVs exemplified by cars like the Fiat Idea and the Vauxhall Meriva, the mini MPV sector that the Carens resides in and full-sized MPVs such as the Volkswagen Sharan, Renault Espace and Chrysler Voyager. This Carens is definitely at the large end of the mini-MPV sector and, from front bumper to rear, is less than 10cm shorter than something in the class above, such as a Sharan. Longer, wider and taller than its predecessor (by 55, 50 and 40 mm respectively), the latest Carens does not share a single panel with the old model and its smoother exterior results in significantly improved aerodynamics. The 4,545mm long New Carens has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of an impressive 0.32 down from 0.35 for the previous model which helps with fuel economy and high speed refinement. The sleeker look to the Carens helps in the styling department too. The windscreen is raked further back, the front styling features a twin chromed bar grille, a lower centre air intake and a front bumper with inset air intakes or, when specified, fog lamps. There are some Sports Utility Vehicle design cues there too, with a more aggressive look and black roof rails. Youd be astonished to hear that this was one of the cheapest mini-MPVs you could lay your hands on if you didnt know what it was. Two engines are offered, both of 2.0-litre capacity, one drinking petrol the other quaffing diesel. Kias upgraded four-cylinder 2.0 CRDi diesel engine features a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), that comes with a particle filter as standard. It generates 138bhp and has a six-speed manual gearbox. The twin-cam four-cylinder 2.0-litre Theta petrol engine, with continuously variable valve timing (CVVT), produces 142bhp and, curiously, is offered as standard with a five-speed manual box. The Carens faces a rejuvenated mini-MPV sector but does so with some serious weapons in its arsenal. In being cheap without appearing cheap, it offers a value alternative to the customer faced with the prospect of buying used. A strong warranty and decent reliability record coupled with a lengthy equipment list will be enough to propel the Carens onto quite a few shortlists.Facts At A Glance CAR: Kia Carens range PRICES: £11,995 - £17,045 on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 165-201g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0petrol] 0-60mph 11s / Max Speed 118mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [CRDil] (combined) 45.6mpg WILL IT FIT IN MY GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 4545/1820/1720mm WHO TO SEE:]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Kia Rio Red Special Edition Range : RED LETTER DAY]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - In special edition Red form, Kias Rio supermini takes some beating. Jonathan Crouch reportsIf youre shopping for a supermini with a budget of around £8,500, then youll find that your options are pretty limited, especially if you want your new car to feature things like air conditioning, a CD/MP3 player, metallic paint, electric windows and power steering.Youve probably guessed at this point that Im going to suggest a solution, Kias special edition Rio Red. Get past the name and check out the value proposition on offer from this five-door 1.4-litre petrol-powered or 1.5-litre diesel-powered supermini. It costs from £8,695 in petrol form, not much more than the kind of feeble base-model Ford Fiesta 1.25 Studio that has all the extras youd like on the options list. The diesel version costs £9,695, again, not much more than the same Fiesta with inferior diesel power. This Kias asking price represents a saving of around £680 over the price of a comparable model in the standard Rio line-up. Despite the fact that the asking price includes twin side and curtain airbags, a leather covered steering wheel and gear knob plus premium upholstery with metal pedals and plush interior trim. The super-affordable pricing would be understandable if Kias offering was a typical South Korean cheapie. Thankfully, it isnt. The Rio was introduced in the Autumn of 2005 and was immediately greeted as the most competitive small car the marque and its nation had ever produced. Designed specifically for European tastes, this Rios shape, although not earth-shatteringly original, is certainly more Focus-like in appearance than its predecessor and larger too. In size terms alone, this model easily out classes much of the opposition. In fact, its almost what you could call good looking, sporting a smart, neat family face. Comfort-wise, theres more headroom, legroom and shoulder room than you might expect, especially in the rear. In 1.4-litre petrol form, the Rio features much stronger refinement than Kia have been able to offer in the past, courtesy of sleeker aerodynamics, a stronger structure and greatly enhanced NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) measures."That the Rio Red is good value wont come as a surprise. That it is an extremely good car might... "The 1.4-litre DOHC 16-valve petrol engine is a gutsy performer and will launch this supermini from rest to 62mph in a very sprightly 12.3 seconds. The top speed of 111mph is achieved courtesy of the 96bhp developed by this power unit. This too is better than most other 1.4-litre engines in this sector that typically average 75 to 80bhp. Despite this impressive performance, the Rio produces just 150g/m of CO2, and with a combined economy figure of 44.8mpg, it is certainly a hard one to fault when it comes to running costs. Moreover, the DOHC 16-valve engine delivers 92.5lb ft of torque at just 4,700 rpm, which makes for very relaxed driving with less need to use the standard five-speed manual gearbox. The 1.5-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel is a difficult choice to ignore, even if its not the quietest engine of its kind. This Rio will sprint from rest to 62mph in a very sprightly 11.5 seconds and charge on to a top speed of 110mph where the traffic conditions allow. Despite this impressive performance, the Rio diesel still beats Euro-IV emissions criteria, producing just 121g/m of CO2, and with a combined economy figure of 60.1mpg, it is certainly a hard one to resist. Performance of the 110PS 1.5-litre diesel unit is highly competitive and class-leading in an area of the market where most rivals have 75 PS or less. The 16-valve engine delivers 235 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm, so it makes for very relaxed driving with minimal use of the gearbox. The latest 3,990 mm long Rio hatchback is taller (+50 mm), wider (+15 mm) but shorter (-250 mm) than the old Rio model it replaced in 2005. The car also has a much longer wheelbase (+90 mm) which, combined with careful packaging of the mechanical components, enables it to claim best-in-class interior space for maximum occupant comfort. The Kias wheelbase is between 9mm and 40mm longer than rivals like Volkswagens Polo, Skodas Fabia, Fords Fiesta and Vauxhalls Corsa, while its overall width is from 12mm to 49mm wider. The overall length is between 30mm and 168mm longer than those potential supermini rivals. This Rio is a surprisingly tight-feeling package on the road, with a reasonably taut suspension set up that keeps body roll well in check. Whereas the old car was pretty entertaining but somewhat crashy, the latest models revised suspension geometry offers a little more refinement over ruts and potholes without sacrificing the fun factor. Indeed, the Rio is a good sport to hustle about, the rack and pinion steering is light and accurate; something that has defeated the best efforts of many more prestigious manufacturers. That the Rio Red is good value wont come as a surprise. That it is an extremely good car might. Even if you leave price out of the equation, its still a supermini buyers shouldnt ignore.Facts At A Glance CAR: Kia Rio Red special edition range PRICES: £8,695-£9,695 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4D-5D CO2 EMISSIONS: 121-150g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4] 0-60mph 12.3s / Max Speed 111mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4] 44.8mpg (combined) WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height mm 3990/1695/1470]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:47:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:25:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
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