Count number what the long run used to appear like? Within the ’50s, it was once all jet packs and flying automobiles; the ’60s introduced robots and electronics into the house; the ’70s informed us it’d be much more grim than we concept, filled with nuclear horrors; however the ’80s have been extra positive, and unexpectedly it become all approximately transistors, chips and computer systems.

Of route, it’s that remaining imaginative and prescient of the long run that maybe became out the main proper of all – to date, after all. You simply ought to keep in mind wherein you’re interpreting those phrases for instance of the meteoric upward push of the pc. However, even though the overall sentiment of that prediction could have been approximately suitable, the aspect used to be highly remote.

This Vauxhall Astra informaba from round 1984 proves our factor. This become, it indicates, todav automobile designed utilising the main innovative of technologies; a pesar de todo lo contrario al uso imaginative and prescient of ways all long term automobiles can be advanced. Except… effectively, it’s genuine adequate that the majority vehicles in view that had been conceived due to pcs , however we’d placed dollars on agregar tremendous loss of luminescent blue wireframes, flying suitcases, and loud bleeps accompanying the notice ‘Achieved’ in huge, crimson letters.

You recognise what, although? Usually , you simply have got to droop your disbelief for a pesar de todo lo contrario al uso 2nd and enjoy the excitement of an advert like this. From the portentous commencing scenes, which smack of the techie undercover agent thrillers in their day, to the enormous, pink-lit Bond-villain pit from which the hot motor vehicle emerges as if freshly baked, that is as giant a success of ’80s kitsch as they arrive. And, sarcastically, given the makes an attempt to make it appear radical and ahead-wondering, the Astra GTE that rises up throughout the huge sliding doorways couldn’t seem greater duration if it attempted. Loads the simpler, to our current eyes.

OK, so the Mk2 Astr agregar as a type quantity didn’t precisely set bales of hay alight. Like maximum Astras, together with the present fashion, it used to be relatively excellent at such a lot issues, however by no means incredibly made it to the end of the category. And, even though it presented exhilarating tempo in 16v variety, the GTE used to be an awful lot an identical, featuring an interesting force, however failing to catch the verve of opponents just like the Peugeot 309 GTi and Volkswagen Golfing GTI.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t make us wish one any much less. Why? Properly, simply examine this one. Its Carmine Purple paintwork, black mesh grille and loud GTE badge all scream ’80s sizzling hatch. What’s extra, it had a real, bona fide LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY electronic sprint – so that you can watch the numbers blur as they fight to maintain speed with the car’s precise velocity.

If that wasn’t motive adequate, this advert completes the image. It’s the icing at the cake, and it’s bought the GTE to us – although now not fairly within the means it meant. No, it isn’t the Astra’s 126mph prime pace (no sniggering on the again; that was once a lot authentic adequate again then), ra its capability to hold a few luggage within the boot, that’s received us hankering. Reasonably , it comes all the way down to this: who’d flip down the possibility to possess a pesar de todo lo contrario al uso auto that become designed by using a number of Tron-type images, great capture doorways and large crimson flashing lighting? Now not us.

By Alex Robbins

Find todav Vauxhall Astra in our classifieds

• New expertise ; revised engines
• Refreshed styling
• Achievable to reserve in April

Revisions for the 2014 Volkswagen Polo were printed prior to the automobile changing into on hand to reserve in April. New era, external and internal styling ameliorations,  in addition to new engines are a number of the highlights of the revisions.

The external styling adjustments are minimum however incorporate a brand new the front bumper and grille, the choice of LED headlamps, even as the rear of the automobile receives new gentle clusters and a brand new bumper. There also are 5 new alloy wheel designs to select from.

Inside, the brand new Polo gets a brand new guidance wheel, up to date devices agregarnd a revised centre console. It’ll additionally get the recent modular infotainment gadget which have been rolled out around the VW crew. It comes with todav touchscreen that reacts to swiping motions of the arms, simply a pesar de todo lo contrario al usos a cellphone could.

Volkswagen’s revised supermini gets know-how that changed into first obvious within the latest VW Golfing. The corporate says that those thoughts will strengthen security, practicality, consolation and effectivity. New Polos will, as customary, include include Automated Publish-Collision Braking, which brakes the auto a pesar de todo lo contrario al usofter a collision to minimize the probabilities of agregar moment collision, ra, if it truly is unattainable, cut down the results of an extra hit. The steerage and suspension have additionally been tweaked to.

Under the bonnet, there’s a diversity of recent engines, all of which follow the hot EU6 emissions policies that are because of come into drive imminently, which, VW says, are as much as 21% greater effective than their predecessors.

There can be 5 petrol engines and diesels to be had. There are 1.0-litre, three cylinder engines, accessible with both fifty nine ra 74bhp; 1.2-litre 4-cylinder devices, generating both 89- fuentes 109bhp. Essentially the mostsome of the most strong engine within the diversity may be the 1four8bhp 1.4 TSI with Energetic Cylinder Technologies. Inside the UNITED KINGDOM, the diesel Polo BlueMotion would be changed through todav turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol variation so as to go back sixty eight.9mpg and emit simply 94g/km of CO2. Both diesels are each 1.four-litre instruments a good way to crea both seventy four- fuentes 89bhp. a selection-topping GTI brand will look in 2015

The new Polo may be a possibility to reserve from April this 12 months, with pricing introduced at the moment. First deliveries will start in July.

By Jtodavmes Richardson

Find a Polo in our classifieds

• All-re-creation Citroen’s seven-seater pushed in UK
• Immensely flexible internal and a smarter drive
• On sale now, priced from £19,two hundred to £27,855

People movers are all approximately performance and flexibility, and making one seem horny in preference to wise is difficult – maximum brands have attempted, yet only a few have succeeded. We’d say Citroen has truly nailed it with the hot Grand C4 Picasso.

The Citroen chevrons run the whole width of the nostril, sandwiching the slim LED jogging lighting fixtures at both sides, which supplies entrance a pointy, house -age seem to be. The edges and rear are much less dramatic, however there are nonetheless numerous wonderful creases and ambitious data.

It’s not only a horny face, both – it’s additionally a super MPV. Front 5 seats have considerable area for tall adults, and whilst both at the back of these todavre a colour tight on headroom, there’s sufficient room for grown-ups to slot if wishes be. The 3 heart seats could be slid, reclined and folded separately, and every is huge sufficient to take its personal baby seat.

It’s no longer suited; every center seat has its very own number of toggles and catches, every appearing a unique operate, and it’s simple to overlook which one does what. The capture you pull to drop the seat takes a few muscle to function, too. Alternatively, both rearmost seats couldn’t be easier to elevate and decrease, and get admission to to them is simple attributable to the smart method wherein the outer-core seats cantilever out of how. And for those who drop each of the rea pesar de todo lo contrario al usor seats, you’re left with a loadbay that’s flawlessly flat and stage.

That loadbay is totally tremendous, too, and with 5 of the seven seats in position, the boot remains vast. Even if you’re seven-up, you continue to get sufficient room for a number of buying luggage.

Life on the helm is a mix of positives and negatives. At the plus aspect, the large home windows deliver a pesar de todo lo contrario al uso sensational view of the line, and the riding role has a lot of adjustment. The inside is solely as elegant because the bodywork, and it feels excessive in satisfactory.

While the dashboard is simple at the eye, nonetheless, it’s now not really easy to take advantage of. The tool panel is cluttered, and all primary features – even the air flow device – are managed by way of a pesar de todo lo contrario al uso puzzling contact-monitor machine. The menus aren’t very logical, the icons are rough to comprehend and the display isn’t touchy satisfactory.

That talked about, the brand new Grand C4 Picasso is far better to force than prior to. The place the previous car’s poorly managed suspension could have the physique wobbling round on undulating roads and falling over in bends, the hot vehicle is way tidier and extra settled. Most significantly, it has a comfy and quiet journey continuously, and in an MPV, that’s one of the most critical aspect.

The 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine within the vehicle we drove became stable and clean, at the same time the automated gearbox brought slick gearchanges. Its claimed normal economic system of sixty one.4mpg isn’t negative, both.  Then again, we reckon the 113bhp 1.6 diesel variation may have adequate guts for the activity, and it’ll be a number of hundreds of thousands less expensive to purchase and masses more cost-effective to run with gasoline economic climate of 70.6mpg.

Whichever variant of the Grand C4 Picasso you opt for, nevertheless, you’ll be getting among the best MPVs round.

By Ivtodavn Aistrop

Search for a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso in our classifieds

You could have seen we’ve been asking you to inform us which vehicles you’d maximum want to #sayhello to recently. Why? Basic, somewhat: we’re supplying you with the likelihood to win £5000 in direction of your subsequent auto. For concept, we theory we’d proportion a few incredible bargains on automobile you adore.

You advised us that the 5 automobiles you’d such a lot wish to Say Howdy to are the Volkswagen Golfing, BMW 3 Collection, Audi A3, Ford Fiesta and Ford Concentrate. So, we’ve been ferreting throughout the classifieds to locate a few minimize-expense used types of the brand new vehicles you want maximum of all.

Other than their age and mileage, those are similar to a brand new vehicle that you must move and purchase todavt a broking nowadays, however they’re hundreds of thousands of kilos less expensive. And, don’t neglect, new autos are being additional to our listings always, so prevent an eye fixed out and also you may well in finding even greater deals than those.

Volkswagen Golfing – New £23,450 / Lower-Cost Hero:  £18,250

The Volkswagen Golfing has lengthy been the relatives hatchback to conquer, and with exceptional cause. Its trademark mixture of wonderful construct caliber, reassuring coping with and priceless pr agregarcticality have made it a most desirable-dealer within the UNITED KINGDOM.

Golfs are usually related to their solid diesel engines, however Volkswagen now has a great variety of turbo- and supercharged petrol engines. The select of those within the Golfing is the 1.four-litre unit, which provides an exceptional slug of mid-vary torque and close to-diesel degrees of gasoline economic climate and carbon dioxide emissions, yet blended with the smoothness and responsiveness of a petroleum engine.

That’s why our select of the present wide variety is the 138bhp edition in carrying GT trim – and we’ve discovered one that’s coated simply 3,one zero one miles because it left the forecourt for the primary time closing 12 months. That’s sufficient to offer its fortunate customer todav saving of £5,two hundred over its on-the-road price, and it makes this particular Golf one of the best-value at the market!

BMW 3 Series – New £28,410 / Cut-Price Hero: £17,480

It’s no surprise that the BMW 3 Series appears among your top-ranked most desirable cars. It’s long been one of the most popular small saloons, and not just because of its aspirational image. A deeply satisfying driving experience, great build quality and handsome looks all mean it’s a desirable car, and a fantastic range of engines makes it a class-leader.

Among those engines, perhaps the most impressive is the 2.0-litre diesel. With 182bhp, it can haul the 3 Series to 62mph in just 7.5 seconds, and yet it’ll still return a highly respectable 60.1mpg. Which is why, in SE trim, it’s our favourite in the range.

We’ve managed to find a startlingly good deal on an early 320d SE. How does a saving of nearly £11,000 on that brand-new cost sound? That’s right – our smart price 320d comes in at just £17,480! What’s more, it’s finished in resale-friendly black, and comes with a host of desirable options including leather seats, a stereo upgrade and privacy glass. The only catch is a high mileage at just over 32,000, but with a full service history and well over a year left on its warranty, that shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

Audi A3 – New £19,580 / Cut-Price Hero: £15,879

The A3 has always been renowned for offering fantastic perceived quality and neat, upmarket aesthetics, but lacking in a bit of sparkle. The latest model blew that reputation out of the water, though, by combining the traits A3 buyers had always loved with an involving chassis and a class-leading interior that felt a little bit special.

As with the Golf, the A3’s solid range of diesel engines has now been complemented by some fantastic petrol options, including the excellent 1.4-litre turbo-supercharged unit, and it’s one of these that we’d plump for if it was our money. The 120bhp version provides a strong blend of economy and performance, and in SE trim it makes a fantastic all-rounder.

We’ve found a promising-looking example with just 6,250 miles on the clock, and finished a very fetching shade of metallic black. Options are few and far between, but the SE doesn’t come badly equipped, and beneath it all the A3 is a car that should be plenty rewarding enough to own in its own right.

Ford Fiesta – New £13,895 / Cut-Price Hero: £9,656

We’re huge fans of the latest version of Ford’s Fiesta. It’s practical, spacious, comfortable, and as a bonus, it’s great fun to drive, too. The range of clever 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines now available only adds to that enjoyment, and what’s  more, they combine their fantastic character with superb fuel consumption and very low carbon dioxide emissions.

Choosing the Zetec trim level gets you the best of the range, too. Alloy wheels, front fog lights, and a chrome grille mean it looks the part, while inside, air-conditioning, a CD player with a USB socket and steering wheel-mounted controls all add an upmarket feel. That said, the Fiesta’s interior doesn’t feel the best built of the current supermini crop, but it isn’t the worst, either.

Our pick has to be this example, which we found for sale at a Ford dealer. It’s the cheapest of its kind for sale in our classifieds at the moment, and while its white colour might put some people off, it is at least practical. A respectable mileage means it’s got plenty of life left in it, too – and the best part, of course, is a saving of over £4,000 compared with its brand new equivalent.

Ford Focus – New £18,395 / Cut-Price Hero: £8,995

As a more entertaining alternative to the Golf, it’s no wonder the  Focus is such a firm favourite. Decent looks, good equipment levels and a well-sorted chassis all make it a pleasure to be in and to drive. And, while its perceived quality’s perhaps not quite as high as its German rivals, the Focus’s interior still feels fresh and pretty well screwed together.

Like the Fiesta, the Focus offers a great range of petrol engines, but the 1.6-litre diesel is our favourite. In 113bhp form, it offers solid mid-range punch while returning excellent fuel economy, and its emissions are respectable, too. Combined with Zetec trim, it produces a handsome-looking car that features a comfortable level of equipment.

We’ve managed to find a TDCi Zetec for a stunning price in our classifieds. Just £8,995 will secure you this metallic grey example – that’s a huge £9,400 off the price you’d pay for its new equivalent. It’s only a few years old, and while its mileage is above average, it’s backed up with a full dealer service history, so there should be no worries about its reliability. A DAB radio with Bluetooth is a certain highlight of its equipment list.

By A PESAR DE TODO LO CONTRARIO AL USOlex Robbins

• Lower cost and extra equipment
• Makes extra feel for organization automobile buyers
• Low CO2 and excessive gasoline economy

Following revisions around the variety, not less than £1,000 have been bring to a halt the on-the-road price of the 2014 Lexus CT 200h. At the same time, the CO2 emissions of all models drop below 100g/km of CO2, making them VED-exempt and putting them into the lowest Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax bracket for business users.

The revised hybrid hatchback also gets a new grille that apes the one at the new IS saloon, as well as new wheel designs, detailing and a shark’s fin antenna on the roof. Meanwhile F Sport models get a roof spoiler with integrated air ducts.

Inside, there’s a new seven-inch monitor in the centre console, a new steering wheel and a revised shift-lever design. Higher-spec models also get a GPS-controlled clock, and the Lexus Navigation package is offered as an alternative to the premium system; and, Advance models have parking sensors and heated front seats, while Lexus says that the suspension has been upgraded to provide more comfort and stability, as well as better handling.

However, the big news is the charge cut, as this – combined with low BiK tax and high average fuel economy of up to 78.9mpg – will make the car more popular with company car customers todavnd priva pesar de todo lo contrario al usote buyers a pesar de todo lo contrario al usolike.

The 2014 CT 200h is todavv agregariltodavble to order now, priced from £20,995 to £29,495, which equa pesar de todo lo contrario al usotes to among £219 and £259 per 30 days while purchased by way of Lexus Enterprise Pressure Agreement Rent. First deliveries will start in Mtodavrch.

By James Richardson

Find a CT 200h in our classifieds