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<title><![CDATA[Yahoo! rss_cars : Smart]]></title>
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<description><![CDATA[Smart]]></description>
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<lastBuildDate>Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:50:21 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart new SportCoupé Ibiza from SEAT]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - SEAT introduces a new SportCoupé three-door version of its Ibiza.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:50:21 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[13 in a Smart]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - A total of 13 people squeezed into a Smart car that only has seating for two.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:17:40 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smashing new Smart ad]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Smart is getting off to a swinging start with a new advert for its Fortwo city car.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2008 09:53:33 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[World's longest Smart]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - It's the world's longest and only Smart limousine and it's called the Smaaart.]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:15:31 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Audi A4 2.7 TDI : THE SMART MONEY?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - There are some cars that appeal to the heart and some that appeal to the head. Audi thinks it has both in the shape of the latest A4 2.7 TDI. Andy Enright reportsWithin the ranges of any serious car maker you have the niche models that can be a bit adventurous, the image building halo products and then you have the cars that represent the seed corn. The A4 is that car to Audi a model that it cannot afford to get wrong. With this latest third generation car, Audi has played a resolutely straight bat, applying simple procedures. Make it slightly bigger, slightly more powerful and better built than ever. Throw a few innovations trialled elsewhere at it. Above all, do not make it radical.The A4 formula is one that works and has been steadily chipping away at the market dominance built by BMWs 3 Series. Do the maths with the latest A4 and it would seem to trounce the BMW but, as we all know, theres more to cars than facts and figures. The 2.7-litre TDI engine pulls well and is offered with a Multitronic CVT gearbox that makes a decent fist of keeping you in the meat of the power band while set to fully automatic mode. Switch it to manual and youll need to be flipping the gearchange paddles like a pinball wizard as it has eight gears and it doesnt hang around. Itll nip to 60mph in 7.3 seconds and run onto a top speed of 140mph. The engine isnt the most melodic but its usefully quicker than the big diesel seller in the A4 range, the 2. 0 TDI. Audi finds itself in a tough position with many of its cars. Magazine journalists cry out for the cars to be more involving and dynamically pure and when they do start heading that way, the usual rejoinder is that the Ingolstadt company is trying to be BMW and failing. Perhaps the R8 sports car has silenced that line of reason but the A4, while better than its predecessor to drive, is still not quite the class leader. Moving the engine lower and backwards in the chassis has helped weight distribution but this subtle difference in chassis dynamics is overwhelmed by suspension tuning and tyre choices. The other headline feature of this latest A4 is the fact that it sits on the longest wheelbase in its class. Audi took action to try and solve the problem of the appallingly small bootspace suffered by the MK1 A4 when it came to launching the second generation car at the turn of the century and here, theyve turned their attention (at last) to the poor old rear seat passengers. The lengthened wheelbase enables a 36mm increase in rear leg room, with the added bonus of a 20-litre boost in boot capacity, making this car easily the most spacious in its sector. This, in turn, means that buyers now no longer have to choose between the prestigious badge and low residuals of a compact executive car like the A4 or the larger cabin of a cheaper medium range model like, say, Fords Mondeo or Volkswagens Passat."a mature and well-rounded alternative to BMW and Mercedes"Audi would contend that the wheelbase change was about promoting the A4 as a drivers car as well as improving its cabin space. It entailed the repositioning of the front axle 154mm further forwards than in the MK2 model. Complemented by a new state-of-the-art suspension and steering configuration, this more stable foundation allows improved handling balance and agility. The 2. 7-litre TDI version of the A4 starts at £28,440 which is closer to the 3.0-litre diesel than the 2.0-litre oil burner in price, if not in power output which, on the face of it, would appear to make the 3.0-litre car the better buy. Its worth remembering that this price includes the not inconsequential cost of the Multitronic CVT gearbox and when prices are adjusted accordingly, the 2.7 TDI looks good value. Options are quite steeply priced, although its hard to see many buyers being able to resist the A8-style LED daytime running lights. These have the effect of scattering fast lane traffic as effectively as a juggernaut with burnt out brakes. Theres also a 505-watt Bang and Olufsen stereo offered, so theyll hear you approaching too. Equipment levels are strong with an electromechanical parking brake and the intelligent key system built into the design. You can also expect refinements like 17-inch alloy wheels, sophisticated three-zone climate control, a 180-watt CD audio system with Audis intuitive MMI control logic and 6.5-inch colour display, rear acoustic parking sensors, automatic headlight and wiper operation and aluminium interior trim. Audi lane assist and Audi Drive Select are two options that respectively alert the driver when straying from a lane and sharpen up the cars steering, dampers, accelerator response and transmission shift points. So lets get down to the nuts and bolts of why the Audi A4 2.7 TDI is such an interesting purchase. For a start, the upfront purchase price is less than rivals form Mercedes and BMW. Couple that with residual values and fuel economy figures that are better and you have very low running costs for what is likely to be £30,000 car when options are taken into account. A combined fuel economy figure of 42.8mpg is an excellent return for a model of this potency and even the urban figure of 34.9mpg is not to be sniffed at. On a longer run, this A4 can chalk up nearly 50mpg which, coupled with the hefty 65-litre fuel tank means an effective range of over 700 miles from a tank full of diesel. A carbon dioxide emissions figure of just 176g/km will mean that many corporate buyers with a £30,000 budget will be putting their Audi dealer on speed dial. It still makes the A4 a pricier car in terms of taxation than a BMW 325d but its bigger and just as quick which levels the playing field a little. Although there may be some buyers who wish the latest A4 looked a little more daring, there will be an even bigger slice of customers who a). are glad it isnt or b). didnt even realise they were looking at an all-new car. Get inside and theres still the reassuring feel of solid build quality, with soft touch finishes and excellent ergonomics. The mark of a great car is its depth of engineering how long and hard its designers have thought about how its going to be used. The A4 impresses in this regard. In all likelihood, this 2.7-litre model is going to remain a niche player in the A4 range; a compromise between the bigger selling 2.0 and 3. 0-litre diesel models. Its a car that deserves a little more credit as a model in its own right, offering a mature and well-rounded alternative to BMW and Mercedes that stacks up well as a financial proposition.FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Audi A4 2.7 TDI PRICES: £28,440 on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 176g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.3s / Max Speed 140 mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 34.9mpg / (extra urban) 49.6mpg / (combined) 42.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, window and side airbags, ESP, ABS, traction control, WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4703/1826/1427mm]]></description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW 318d : SMART MONEY]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Is The 318d The Thinking Persons BMW 3 Series? Andy Enright ReportsIf the BMW 318d were a pop star, itd be Jim from The Corrs; the one you dont tend to look at in an otherwise glamorous line up. The M3 and the more powerful diesel models may make car journalists hearts go pitter-patter and attract the flowery prose but the plain Jane 318d might just be the smartest buy in the whole 3 Series line up.Costing from £23,760 and priced around £1,100 less, model for model, than the larger-engined 320d, the smaller of the two four-cylinder diesel engines is still capable of putting on quite a show. Although theres very little in it when it comes to fuel economy or emissions, the 318d scores a decisive advantage over the 320d when it comes to insurance costs, being rated a couple of groups lower at Group 12. Theres not too much in it as regards fuel economy, both cars managing around 60mpg, while the spec sheet says that the 318d will emit just 123 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre, putting it on par with some tiny superminis. The bad news is that it wont save company car buyers much more than the 320d. The 318ds outstanding economy and emissions figures come courtesy of BMWs EfficientDynamics technology. While other manufacturers were messing about with hybrids and biofuels in their attempts to go green, BMW developed a programme that enhances a vehicles efficiency through a series of small measures that have a big combined effect. Features including Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, high precision direct injection, active aero dynamics and optimum gear shift indicators go into EfficentDynamics and the results put BMW products near the top of the tree when it comes to environmental considerations."The 318d offers a relatively cost effective first step on the diesel 3 Series ladder"So why should you pocket the grand over the 320d and suffer lower performance and a less elevated image? Its a valid question. The issue is thrown into a different light when you consider that these two cars have much the same engine, with a few electronic tweaks on the ECU being the most effective difference between their respective power outputs. Some customers may be tempted to opt for the 318d and pay £350 at an aftermarket tuner like Superchips to have their motor boosted to generate more power than the 320d. Youd need to have a close look at your warranty small print, not to mention the effect it would have on your insurance premium but its certainly a way of circumventing this rather contrived model differentiation on BMWs part. In case youre wondering, the software jiggery pokery limits the junior model to 143bhp and credits the 320d with the full 177bhp monty. The upshot of this is that the 318d will feel a little sluggish if you drive it back to back with the 320d, but otherwise its an agreeably swift compact executive model, notching off the dash to 60mph in 9.3 seconds and running on to a top speed of 130mph. The excellent six-speed automatic gearbox offered as an option on the 320d sadly isnt available to 318d buyers. If you are dead set on this automatic, this could be the real deal breaker but otherwise although the heart may say 320d, the head more often than not opts for the 318d. The six-speed manual gearbox fitted to this Three is one of the best in the business, slick, oily, positive and wristy. Coupled with excellent pedal positioning, youll be changing gear just for the fun of it. One of the eternal trademarks of the 3 Series is rear wheel drive and although the 318d doesnt possess tyre-scorching power to capitalise fully, Ive still noticed the benefits. Deploying the full quota of 300Nm of torque as you accelerate out of a side turning would, in a front-wheel drive car, generate copious torque steer, that raggedy tugging of the steering wheel as the front tyres struggle to put down the power. Even at higher speeds, front-wheel drive cars with a hefty slug of torque can veer rather dramatically when they come on-cam. Theres none of this corrupting influence with the 318d. About the most extreme thing that ever happens is that in damp conditions the ESP light will give a little blink as it winds the power back slightly. Most of the time it just grips and goes with no drama, no writhing steering wheel or tramping axle. Its a masterclass in chassis engineering. The E90 generation Three has been with us a while now and buyers are starting to get used to it. Developing an all-new 3-Series was never going to be easy and the latest car shows that the money men and the stylists have gone head to head in the battle between shifting big numbers and continuing the trend for challengingly styled BMWs. It looks like the stylists have blinked first, the 3-Series looking a good deal more conservatively penned than the rest of the BMW line up. Although those wearing the black polo necks may grumble, its a wise choice. With the 3-Series accounting for fully 52 per cent of BMWs UK sales, alienating this bedrock of customers with a wilfully odd looking car was never going to make a sound business case. Although sales of the latest 5-Series have swelled as people became used to its sharky lines, for the first few months that styling was manna from heaven for Mercedes and Audi. Many of the contemporary BMW styling signatures are present, although they have been toned down radically. The sill line is bowed, although nowhere near as radically as in, say, a 1-series. Compare how the rear bootlid is a chamfered and smoothed version of that worn by the 5-Series. Even the flanks betray a less aggressive concave contouring, while the rest of the traditional BMW cues such as the Hofmeister Kink at the rear window and the kidney grille are present and correct. Although its not what youd call a striking piece of design, it is nevertheless mature, assured and classy. The 3-Series also has to redefine its place in BMWs range. For the first time in 29 years, its no longer the entry level BMW model, and the range must be planned so that 1-Series buyers can easily migrate to a Three on the way to bigger BMWs. At least thats what the suits in Munich are hoping. The 318d is a key part of this stepping stone philosophy.FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: BMW 318d saloon range PRICES: £23,760-£27,080 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-13 CO2 EMISSIONS: 123g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 129mph / 0-60mph 10.6s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 50.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, twin front side airbags, twin ITS side window airbags / ABS /DSC / runflat tyres WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4520/1817/1424mm]]></description>
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<pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Volvo V50 D5 : QUICK SMART]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Volvos V50 D5 Diesel offers a compelling balance between practicality and pleasure. Andy Enright reportsCongratulations if youve managed to stick around this long. Most people will spot a story on a diesel Volvo estate and make time to do things a little more interesting such as creosoting a fence or reconfiguring their sock drawer. This, however, is no common or garden Scandinavian suitcase swallower. With a 180bhp diesel engine and an entertaining chassis, this is very much a closet funster. Volvo may have dressed the V50 D5 in a rather sober suit, but its a car that knows how to entertain if you show it a decent road.Volvo already have a diesel V50, powered by a 136bhp 2.0-litre powerplant. For the average motorist, its probably the most sensible choice, getting to 60mph in nearly 10 seconds with a 130mph top end and an excellent 48mpg fuel economy figure. Keenly priced and with a friendly emissions rating, this is the car to go for if youre merely looking for a well-rounded, modest, compact Volvo estate. I suspect that youre not, however. A part of you has recognised that a need exists for something practical and affordable to run, whilst another part of you still hankers for the ability to dispatch dawdlers with disdain on snaking B-roads and to be able to elicit a sharp rebuke from your other half as you floor it down a motorway on-ramp. Thats why youll like the V50 D5, priced from just over £23,645, £3,000 more than the equivalent 2.0-litre diesel variant. Bear in mind though that this includes standard Geartronic automatic transmission, a pricey option on the 2.0 diesel. For buyers wanting a slick six-speed manual box and looking to save a few pounds, Volvo now offers it. As with virtually all turbo diesel cars, the sprint to 60mph isnt, on the face of it, all that exciting. Volvo claim a figure of 7.9 seconds for the Geartronic versions but if you put away the stopwatches, youll think its a whole lot faster. The reason for this is that diesels rarely excel at the sprint to 60, having to wait for their turbos to spool up and the subsequent gale of torque is often so great that it causes either wheelspin or the traction control system to illuminate the dashboard like the entrance to Caesars Palace. A couple of factors hint that this Volvo is a genuinely quick car. First, a sub-eight second 0-60mph time from any automatic car is going some. Secondly, anybody who has ever driven a turbo diesel car capable of notching off these sort of acceleration figures will know just how addictive the mid-range acceleration is when the turbos on full song. As a cross country tool, this Volvo will be way quicker than its 2.4-litre petrol equivalent. "The D5 engine is a proven piece of engineering. Putting it into a V50 creates a very potent compact estate"The 350Nm of torque is more than you could expect from a Porsche Boxster S or a BMW 630i and a good deal more than a comparable vehicle such as the most powerful Saab 9-3 Sportwagon diesel. A particulate filter reduces soot particles by 95 per cent and CO2 emissions should be modest, keeping business users taxation burden in check. This isnt the first Volvo the 2.4-litre D5 engine has found its way into, having seen service in the S60 saloon, V70 estate, XC70 AWD crossover vehicle and the XC90 luxury 4x4. The difference here is that the V50 has a much tighter engine bay and after much head scratching and chin stroking, the Swedes have redesigned most of the engine ancillaries to get it to fit. The manifold and turbocharger have been integrated into a single unit in order to free up space. Volvo claim the V50 is designed to go head to head with cars like the BMW 3 Series Touring and the Audi A4 Avant, although pricing will pit it closer in reality to the Alfa 159 Sportwagon in a niche just below these premium models. Its a wise choice and at first glance, the Volvo manages to marry the bulletproof feel of the top German cars with a keen price. As ever with Swedish cars, youll also get a good deal more horsepower per pound. At the front of the latest model, the chrome-framed egg-crate grille has been reprofiled and features a bigger Volvo badge while clear lensed headlights, LED tail lights and a wider air intake give the car some more presence. The interior benefits from revised controls while the centre tunnel storage area features a smaller handbrake and a revised armrest for better driver comfort. Better cupholders, bigger door bins and an auxiliary input for the stereo under the armrest are all included. As youd expect, Volvo havent skimped when it comes to safety, and they claim that the V50 is as good to crash in as the flagship S80 saloon. Making a small car as safe as a big un takes some doing and its only when you look at some of the finer points of how Volvo have achieved this that you realise quite what this commitment means. It involves casting the turbo housing as one with the exhaust manifold so that the engine is more compact when mounted transversely, giving more space for crush zones. It means developing the Intelligent Driver Information System which monitors how hard youre using the throttle, brakes and steering and will hold incoming telephone calls or satellite navigation instructions until things have calmed down so as not to distract you in the middle of a manoeuvre. It means using four different grades of high tensile steel for crash protection. Would the V50 look a little sexier with BMW-style flame-surfaced concave flanks? Probably. But side impact protection involves having as much deformation space as possible which is why its slab-sided to keep its occupants looking good. The Volvo V50 D5 isnt going to be for everyone. So good is its little brother that it becomes almost an extravagance to opt for the extra power. If you do feel like treating yourself but dont want to get too self-indulgent, this V50 represents a very appealing package.FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Volvo V50 D5 diesel range PRICES: £23,645-£25,645 on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 15 CO2 EMISSIONS: 184g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 140mph / 0-60mph 7.9s [Geartronic] FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 40.4mpg [Geartronic] STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS with EBA / DSTC traction control / WHIPS whiplash protection / SIPS side impact protection WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4514/1770/1452mm]]></description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:11:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW X3 3.0si : QUICK SMART]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - BMW wheels out the heavy metal with the X3 3.0si. Andy Enright reportsTheres something enormously gratifying about disproportionate retaliation. Tell me you didnt get a little juiced when Zinedine Zidane floored Marco Materazzi after an innocuous insult or when Robin Cook gave Tony Blair both barrels upon his ministerial resignation. Research has shown that our brains are actually hard wired for it.Scientists have shown that what begins as a game of soft touches between two people quickly becomes a game of moderate pokes and then hard prods, even though both participants do their level best to respond in kind. Each would be convinced that he was responding with equal force and that for some reason, the other participant was escalating the force being used. Neither realised that the escalation was the natural by-product of a neurological quirk that causes the pain we receive to seem more painful than the pain we produce, so we tend to dish out more pain than we have received. Just lately BMW has been bringing the pain to its rivals in the shape of ever more powerful X3 models and the 3. 0-litre si model is one of the big guns. The X3 didnt have the easiest start in life. Derided as being built down to a price and offering poor value compared to the X5 it was designed to slot in beneath, it even attracted brickbats for the way it drove inconceivable for a modern BMW product, youd think. BMW listened to its critics and revised the X3, the USP this time round being massive power with no petrol model exemplifying this better than the 272bhp 3. 0si, a thermonuclear response to rival slings and arrows. This engine is based on the worlds lightest production six-cylinder engine and is constructed largely of aluminium and magnesium alloy to keep weight down. The results are suitably apocalyptic, the X3s all wheel drive system blasting it off the line to 60mph in a mere 7.2 seconds with the shove continuing until 142mph is showing on the clock. Whats so overwhelming about this model is that it lifts the X3 into a sector whereby it now has no real rivals. Ask yourself whats the next quickest compact 4x4 and youll have to scratch your head and move a long way downmarket. Fuel consumption isnt a standout point in a car which encourages foot to the floor progress like this X3, but driven in a more measured fashion, youll average 29.1mpg. A peak torque figure of 315Nm gives some clue as to how much urge is at your disposal. The X3 feels pleasantly nuggety to drive, all of a piece if you like. It drives like it looks, compact and car-like rather than a lumbering 4x4. Yes, it is reasonably useless off road but thats hardly the point. The X3 appeals to a discrete niche and now it does so very well indeed. BMW has succeeded in turning the problem child of its family into something very special indeed."Unilateral power has a lot to answer for"Along with the featherweight engine, BMW has also tweaked the X3s styling, giving it a more upmarket look. The old X3 looked fine when specified in M-Sport trim with the body coloured side panelling but rather cheap with black parts, especially if the body was trimmed in a pale colour. As well as SE trim, the 3.0si is also offered in M-Sport guise and features a colour-keyed front spoiler that sits below a redesigned bumper assembly. A bigger kidney grille reflects BMWs pride in the latest X3 and front fog lights are now incorporated into the main section of the bodywork. Move round to the back and there are LED tail lamps. 18-inch alloy wheels and twin exhausts that poke out beneath a ground hugging rear valance are standard with the option of 19-inch rims. The interior, the source of much of the X3s reputation for being built down to a price, has also been treated to a nip and tuck. The materials used on the centre console have been uprated and theres a better-looking three-spoke steering wheel. The anthracite head lining and cool technical finishes of the M-Sport model also lift the cabin, giving the car a properly premium feel. Now that much of the technology that was introduced on the 5 Series has matured, BMW has been able to take a look at whats worth sticking with, what features will die a quiet death and, at the same time, has also introduced a few new ideas on the X3. The Dynamic Stability Control + system (DCS+) is fitted to an X model for the first time, giving X3 drivers immense confidence as they explore the outer reaches of the cars handling envelope and acting as a reassuring safety net in the event of an evasive or emergency manoeuvre. The braking system has been given the most attention and the X3 comes with a series of braking functions that are beyond the ken of many cars costing three times as much. Brake Drying scrubs away the film of water on the brake discs that can reduce stopping power, while Brake Pretensioning shortens stopping distances during an emergency stop by priming the brakes to remove any slop in the system should the driver come sharply off the throttle pedal. Hill Start Assistant holds the brakes on a manual car until the driver can accelerate away while Brake Fade Compensation ramps up calliper pressure if the system detects that heat build up is causing brake fade. Switchable Dynamic Traction Control is also another first for an X model. Lets be clear about this. BMW has repositioned the X3, lifting it out of the compact 4x4 mainstream and has equipped it with jet heels. Its different because its so much faster and more capable - on road at least - than any conceivable rival. It needed to be though. Land Rover is looking to redefine this sector with the Freelander II and, as youre probably aware, Land Rover and BMW have a little history. Points are there to be proven and as capable as the Freelander is, it just doesnt have an engine available to it that will match this X3 3.0si. The BMW X3 3. 0si is a very focused vehicle. If you want the elevated seating position and aspirational image of a smart 4x4 but want the power and poise of a decent sports saloon, there is very little to touch it. It initially appears quite eye wateringly expensive with prices opening at £34,745 and an optioned up M Sport nudging £37,000 but when youre operating in a field of one, charging what the market will bear is only fair. The market will respond appropriately. FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: BMW X3 3.0si PRICES: £34,745-£36,830 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 18 CO2 EMISSIONS: 233g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.2s/ Max Speed 142mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 29.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and window airbags, ABS, DSC+, ESP, DTC WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: (length) 4565mm (width) 1,853mm (height) 1,674mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-x3-3.0si-1005290.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:37:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart for two Brabus : ET TU BRABUS?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - If you want a Smart with attitude, you need to break out the Brabus catalogue. Andy Enright reportsFor most, Brabus is associated with massively powerful Mercedes limousines. Captains of European industry sit in the back and are swept across featureless autobahns at speeds more akin to private aviation than wheeled transport. Fortunately for us, we can now get the Brabus touch on less than Euro commissioner salaries in the form of the Smart ForTwo Brabus, a citycar with real attitude.The 1.0-litre powerplant has been massaged to give a full 98bhp, up from the 84bhp offered by the turbo model in the standard range or the 61 or 71bhp options served up by more humble Smart ForTwos. This is enough to thrust the shoebox sized car to 60mph in a smidgeon under ten seconds, around two seconds faster than the Brabus version of the first generation ForTwo. Its also feels surprisingly quick, despite the gearbox remaining a little dull-witted off the mark and is more than enough to give other city motorists the humiliating view of your blunt back end. That said, theres no way theyll mistake the Brabus model for a common or garden Smart variety. A number of body styling features distinguish the Brabus version including lovely Brabus alloy wheels, a deeper front spoiler and rear valance, plus a sports exhaust and heat shield.The effect of these styling touches is to bring the car even lower to the ground, giving the optical appearance of a rather rapidly moving block. Otherwise, its the usual Smart recipe albeit a rather expensive one. The coupe is priced at £13,520 (around £1,200 more than the MK1 equivalent) with the cabrio weighing in at around £2,000 more. This is comparable to cars like a nicely specified MINI Cooper or one of the plushest Fiat 500s, both vehicles with their own dollop of style and a good deal more day to day practicality than the little Smart. The Fortwo has its own very individual street presence however and of course its smaller for mopre convenient urban use: try parking a MINI or a Fiat 500 at a 90-degree angle to the pavement. On second thoughts, dont. As with all smart models, the Brabus features standard-fit Electronic Stability Control Programme (ESP): basically, if you get the car out of shape, the electronics will automatically use throttle and brake inputs to correct the situation. And this Brabus version is plenty quick enough to get into quite a situation should you try: 96mph on the flat will see this Smart easily keeping up with the cut and thrust of typical British motorway traffic. Strangely, its in the city that the smart feels a little clumsy. Yes, it is ridiculously easy to park, but the clutch take up in stop/start traffic is rather severe and youll dread negotiating speed humps. Even at low speeds the lurch feels pretty nauseating. "Its the usual Smart recipe albeit a rather expensive one"If you owned one of the original Fortwo models and havent tried the latest one, youll find that its a little larger than before, having swelled almost 20cm in length and 4.3cm in width. The track and the wheelbase have also been stretched but the majority of the length has been imposed upon the company by new pedestrian crash legislation. Space inside was always pretty good for two adults (if not their baggage), but the latest car is better still. Somewhat unusually, the passenger seat is mounted 15cm further back than the drivers seat so that shoulder room can be maximised. Smart claims that passengers have an additional three centimetres of elbow room compared to the old car which never felt small even for taller people. Luggage room has also usefully increased from 150 to 220 litres. The cars face looks a little different, with projector lights and a smiling grille aperture, while the side reveals a slimmer aspect to the tridion safety cell in the sill and door area. The door handles have also been rotated around ninety degrees for ease of use. The rear wings are more contoured and the rear window has more slope to it than before. Four instead of six rear lights are now apparent, the fog light and reversing lights now slotted beneath the brake lights and indicator composite units. There arent too many cars that can beat a Fortwo in terms of cost of ownership. The key thing driving down the pence per mile figure is the residual value of a used example, and though Brabus variants arent the best in the range in this regard, the latest model still looks set to better its predecessor in terms of used desirability. Then theres the fuel economy. Granted, Fortwos dont tend to soak up big mileages but they are often used in cities where many conventional cars return lousy fuel consumption figures. Expect a combined figure of about 55mpg from this car. This model will also emit just 124g/km of carbon dioxide, making it one of the cleaner cars on sale and therefore very attractive if one is using the car in congestion charging zones. Insurance costs are driven down by the Fortwos ease of repair, the elastic plastic body panels being capable of shrugging off typical parking knocks. The panels are flexible and the colour is deep moulded in, so superficial scratches are hard to spot. It also means that a more seriously damaged panel can be replaced inexpensively without need for costly and time-consuming repainting. If they were priced more accessibly, there would be a quite a few reasons to recommend the Brabus smart models but the stratospheric asking prices relegate them to the ranks of expensive curios. The novelty wearing off one of these is a rather costly sound.FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: Smart Fortwo Brabus PRICE: £13,520-£15,470 on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 8 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.9s / Max Speed 95mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 43.5mpg / (extra urban) 64.2mpg / (combined) 54.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS, Trustplus, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 2695/1559/1542mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-for-two-brabus-1005781.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart for two cabrio : AIR ON A SHOE-STRING]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - Open-air urban transport doesnt come much trendier than this. Steve Walker checks out the smart fortwo cabrioIsnt an open-topped citycar a contradiction in terms? Do urban dwellers really want to breathe in each others exhaust fumes? Apparently so, at least according to the thousands of buyers who have been snapping up the clever smart car in its trendy fortwo cabrio form.Here, were looking at the second generation version which looks the same as its predecessor but in fact is very different. Todays model is significantly improved and bigger. For example, is 19.5cm longer from nose to tail but crucially, its 5cm longer in the wheelbase with a wider track and wider tyres. As a result, its more comfortable on the open road, cornering with some composure and with less of the worrying body roll that can afflict narrow, high-sided vehicles. There are better handling city cars but the fortwo has definite benefits in terms of manoeuvrability, and ease of use around town. The optional power steering lacks feel and Id settle for the unassisted helm if you can put up with the extra effort needed to execute low speed manoeuvres. With the roof up, the cabrio model we look at here is barely any noisier at cruising speeds than the hard-topped coupe with just an extra rustle of wind noise reminding you youre in the convertible. The trio of 1.0-litre petrol engines smart offers are all highly refined but the entry-level 61bhp model feels under-powered and even the 71bhp option is found wanting at higher speeds. These cheaper units are fine for pottering about town but the lively 84bhp turbocharged option is the way to go if you plan on covering bigger distances. That or the 98bhp unit used in the flagship Brabus version. The smart people have done away with the sequential gearbox that was used in the old car, swapping its jerky six-gear set-up for a faster shifting, five-speed unit. The standard manual shift option gives decent control, letting you prod the lever to select gears yourself or flip the optional steering wheel paddles. Lift off the gas as you do this and it manages quite nicely but the softouch fully-automatic mode on the Passion models is preferable most of the time."This car represents a clever idea, cleverly executed"The cabriolets folding fabric roof is easily operated at any speed at the touch of a button. It retreats backwards in the manner of a conventional sun roof revealing a big slice of sky overhead but drivers wanting to go fully convert their smart will need to stop and get out. Removable side roof bars unclip and can be stowed in a special compartment in the tailgate while the rear roof section, once released, drops down to sit on top of the boot. Its hard to argue with the suitability of the fortwo concept to its urban transport role. With two seats, tiny dimensions, that self-shifting gearbox and fuel-sipping engines, it makes all kinds of sense for all kinds of reasons. The fortwo cabrio seems less sensible, exposing its occupants to the noise and smog of the city but its more extrovert, more stylish and more fun and these attributes are just as important to the smart package. The fact that there is a boot to speak of hints at the way this fortwo cabrio has grown-up. Owners get a respectable 220-litre luggage capacity in the back, theres a glass rear window to improve visibility and on the inside, the fortwo now feels like part of the Mercedes-Benz family, rather than the scruffy stepchild that smarts prestigious parent company would rather forget. Prices start at under £10,000 and the latest fortwo attacks the market with familiar Pure, Pulse and Passion trim levels. Pure keeps it simple with steel wheels and manual windows but buyers do get ABS brakes, twin front airbags and ESP stability control a laudable standard inclusion on a car in this sector. The Pulse models offer a sporty flavour with a rev counter, racy trim materials, a sports steering wheel, electric windows, alloy wheels and front fog lights. The range-topping Passion delivers air-conditioning, different alloy wheels, a silver grille and the softouch automatic gear shift option but if you want a seriously high-spec smart theres loads of personalisation potential in the options list. If you can afford around £15,500, the flagship Brabus model offers a unique dose of urban chic. Given the dimensions of the car and its engine, you wouldnt expect the fortwo to achieve anything but the most miserly fuel economy. Sure enough, the combined cycle figure for the mid-range 71bhp cabrio is 58mpg. The drop top models are 40kg heavier but that will only cost owners a couple of miles in the gallon and CO2 emissions are pegged at 116g/km for the 71bhp car, 4g/km up on the equivalent coupe. The insurance groups are similarly low, partly thanks to the smarts plastic bodyshell which is both surprisingly durable against minor knocks and inexpensive to replace after bigger ones. Its often the way that a model which pioneers a market sector fails to capitalise on its visionary design. Copycat rivals are usually quick to emerge which do it all a little bit better. Although the original smart was certainly groundbreaking and remained the only city car to be seen in around our cities fashionable districts, it never felt like the complete package. The latest fortwo cabrio model is a far more sophisticated prospect, at home doing far more than parking or creeping along in traffic. This car represents a clever idea, cleverly executed. If you like the idea of an open-top and space is not important, then the latest fortwo cabio is worth a look, as long as you can afford the rather high price tag. Provided you dont mind being stared at of course. FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: smart fortwo cabrio range PRICES: £9,240-£15,470 on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 3-8 CO2 EMISSIONS: 116-124g/km PERFORMANCE: [71bhp] Max Speed 91mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [71bhp] (urban) 46.3mpg / (extra urban) 70.6mpg / (combined) 60.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS, recessed wipers, ESP WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 2695/1559/1542mm]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-for-two-cabrio-1005683.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart for two Range : WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-for-two-range-1005682.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-for-two-range-1005682.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Volvo XC70 : SMART LOGIC]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/volvo-xc70-212.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/volvo-xc70-212.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Audi A3 1.8T FSI : SMART MONEY]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/audi-a3-1.8t-fsi-1005278.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Honda Accord Tourer Range : SMART THINKING]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/honda-accord-tourer-range-1003698.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart City Coupe and Fortwo Coupe (2000 - 2007) : SMART BOMBED?]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-city-coupe-and-fortwo-coupe-2004044.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart Roadster / Roadster Coupe (2003 - 2007) : SMALL WONDER]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-roadster-/-roadster-coupe-2004048.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart Forfour (2004 - TO 2007) : FOUR TO THE FLOOR]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-forfour-2004043.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-forfour-2004043.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart City/Fortwo Cabrio (2002 - 2007) : OPEN SEASON ON SMARTS]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-city/fortwo-cabrio-2004046.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-city/fortwo-cabrio-2004046.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Hyundai Getz Range : HYUNDAI GETZ SMART]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/hyundai-getz-range-1004836.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/hyundai-getz-range-1004836.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:10:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/14/3876361763.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[MINI Cooper S Convertible : QUICK SMART]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/mini-cooper-s-convertible-1005520.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/mini-cooper-s-convertible-1005520.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 May 2007 10:18:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080115/13/3933795273.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Honda Jazz 1.2 : WHERE THE SMART MONEY SHOULD GO]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/honda-jazz-1.2-1004492.html</link>
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<pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart fortwo : SMART THINKING]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-fortwo-111.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/smart-fortwo-111.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/09/1683268666.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Ford Mondeo MK2 (1996 - 2000) : SMART, SAFE and SUCCESSFUL]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/ford-mondeo-mk2-2002965.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/ford-mondeo-mk2-2002965.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/12/530208663.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[Citroen ZX (1991 - 1998) : SMART and SENSIBLE]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/citroen-zx-2002698.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/citroen-zx-2002698.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/16/1247260242.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW 7 Series (1986 - 1994) : SMART and SHARP]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-7-series-2004277.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/bmw-7-series-2004277.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 2006 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
<media:thumbnail height="86" url="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sh/carndriv/20080116/14/3891413869.jpg" width="129"/>
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<title><![CDATA[smart roadster]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - A good sense of humour means more than anything else. They'll soon realise that size doesn't matter...]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/14022006/49/smart-roadster-8.html</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2006 10:59:18 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[smart fortwo]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Five of the Best - Though only available as a two-door and with only two seats, the smart fortwo is ostensibly the only real city car here.]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/06022006/49/smart-fortwo-56.html</link>
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<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2006 17:06:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Nissan Primera (1990 - 1999) : SENSIBLE and SMART]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car And Driving - ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/nissan-primera-2003539.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/nissan-primera-2003539.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Smart changes tack with the Crosstown urban show car]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Smart's hybrid-powered concept car offers show visitors a keyhole view into the minds of the designers working on the ForTwo's replacement. ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/050921/36/1ycwp.html</link>
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<pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2005 17:17:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Subaru's city car could challenge Smart]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Car Enthusiast - Subaru's city car could challenge Smart, but its face is shall we say, aesthetically challenged. ]]></description>
<link>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/050307/36/1xjdr.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.rd.yahoo.com/cars/xml/?http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/050307/36/1xjdr.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2005 12:33:30 GMT</pubDate>
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