You"ve heard of cars...
You"ve heard of cars getting a facelift, but now a fuel has been given a revamp. BP says the formula of its Ultimate petrol and diesel has been modified to boost its engine-cleaning credentials by 300 per cent. The firm"s experts claim drivers should also get more miles to the gallon and a cut in emissions from oil-burners.
The French firm formally...
The French firm formally declared hostilities when it issued a hugely provocative statement alleging that a petrol-electric hybrid power unit such as that in the Toyota Prius is "much more costly and no greener" than a diesel engine in a Renault Mégane. What"s more, it claims its car costs up to ÷£5,050 less than the Japanese offering.
That means an early score of 1-0 in favour of Renault, I reckon. Make that 2-0 after the French brand pointed out that by saving more than ÷£5,000 on the asking price, a buyer can afford a holiday to Barbados. Toyota hit back by saying that, at ÷£17,760, its base Prius T3 does cost more than a Mégane boasting the closest equivalent spec (the 1.9 dCi 130 Expression auto). But, says Toyota, that model, at ÷£16,450, doesn"t get the stability and climate control the Prius enjoys. Let"s call it 2-1 at this stage.
Although Renault talks of its model having the "same fuel economy" as the Toyota, official figures show the Prius will average 65.7mpg combined against 62.8mpg for the Mégane (2-2). In town, it returns 56.5mpg to the dCi"s 51.4mpg (3-2 Toyota).
"Same VED tax band, too," claims an optimistic Renault. But Toyota insists its Prius costs marginally less in road fund licence fees (4-2), while anyone driving one in central London is exempt from the ÷£8-per-day congestion tax. Half-time score: Japan 5, France 2.
The Mégane has a higher top speed (5-3), but the Prius is quicker from 0-60mph (6-3). French bosses also say the complexity of the Prius" hybrid power "adds greatly to servicing costs". But Toyota insists its car"s first check costs ÷£110, with the second ÷£180. The Mégane"s first service is said to be around ÷£220 and its second ÷£420 (7-3).
Renault concludes that hybrids are an interesting novelty, "but don"t achieve anything a Mégane dCi can"t achieve". Not true - 8-3. Toyota"s more measured conclusion is that the Prius is "roomier, quicker, more fuel efficient, cleaner, costs less to service and will probably work out cheaper to own". Final score: 9-3.
When governments declare war on things and people (and make no mistake, the UK administration is warring with motor cars and the people who use them), there are bound to be casualties. First, it was Ford which halted car production in Britain. Next, MG Rover hit the headlines, when it collapsed. Now, I"m sorry to see it"s Peugeot"s Ryton plant near Coventry that"s gone belly-up - and with it, the jobs of 2,300 staff.
The Labour Government isn"t entirely responsible - but you can certainly chuck some of the blame at its door. Choose to war with the motor vehicle and you choose to war with the motor industry, and all the people who work in it.