Citroen adds spice to it baby range

• Revised Citroën C1 range available now
• New trim levels & addition of Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG)
• More equipment specified as standard

Citroën’s popular C1 line-up has been updated to offer additional standard equipment and a revised range consisting of three trim levels - VT and new trim levels: Edition & Platinum.

Available from £10,345, the range-topping C1 Platinum replaces the VTR+ trim level and features a new standard specification ‘Look Pack’, which includes a Carlinite Grey roof with colour-matched rear spoiler and door mirrors. The new Platinum trim comes with the option of two body colours to contrast with the Carlinite Grey roof and exterior trim; Agrume Red and Lipizzan White. There is a third body colour option of Carlinite Grey to match the roof. Additional features fitted as standard on the new C1 Platinum include Citroën’s Connecting Box (Bluetooth® with USB socket), dark tinted rear windows, shiny black interior details and front fog lights.

Replacing VTR models, the C1 Edition is available from £9,670 with a range of new equipment as standard including 14-inch ‘Rift’ alloy wheels and a leather trimmed steering wheel with matching gear knob.

Priced at just £8,095, the entry-level C1 VT continues to focus on the well-being of its passengers and maintains the same equipment and pricing as before.

VT and Edition models are offered in a choice of six colours including a range of metallic shades.

Engine availability remains unchanged with all models powered by an efficient and economical 1.0i 68hp 3-cylinder petrol. The EGS gearbox that was previously available has been replaced with a new Efficient Tronic Gearbox (ETG) in the 5-doorPlatinum version.

PRICES & TRIMS

Citroën’s C1 is generously specified across all three versions, including:

VT

• ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA)
• Cornering Stability Control (CSC)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESP)
• Driver’s & front passenger’s airbags
• Front lateral & curtain airbags
• Variable power assisted steering
• RDS stereo radio/CD player
• Auxiliary socket for MP3 player
• Rear 50/50 split/folding seats
• Rear Isofix child seat anchorage points
• Height-adjustable steering wheel
• 14” ‘Notus’ wheel covers (set of four)

EDITION adds:

• Daytime-running LEDs
• 14” ‘Rift’ alloy wheels (set of four)
• Air conditioning
• Rev counter
• Leather trimmed steering wheel & gear knob
• Front electric windows
• Body colour door mirrors & door handles
• High-frequency remote control central locking
• Rear head restraints
• Black grille with chrome finish surround

PLATINUM adds:

• Platinum ‘Look Pack’ (Carlinite Grey roof, Carlinite Grey rear spoiler, Carlinite Grey door mirrors, black side rubbing strips)
• Connecting Box (Bluetooth® system with USB socket)
• Front fog lights
• Dark tinted rear windows
• Shiny black interior details

Latest Mazda6 to have lower CO2 and higher MPG with no compromise on performance

• CO2 reduced to 104g/km from 108g/km with no compromise on performance
• Economy improves to 72.4mpg
• Perfect combination of performance and safety

Mazda’s ground-breaking executive express, the award-winning new Mazda6, is now even more attractive thanks to improved fuel economy and lower CO2  emissions making it one of the most frugal yet fun to drive cars in its class.

Emissions on the 2.2-litre SKYACTIV diesel saloon models with its powerful 150ps four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox have been lowered by four per cent from 108g/km to 104g/km with a corresponding improvement in fuel economy taking the combined cycle figure from 67.3mpg to 72.4mpg.

For the new Mazda6 Tourer with the same powertrain, emissions are reduced by five per cent to 110g/km from 116g/km and economy improves from 64.2mpg to 67.3mpg, moving it from band C to the lower band B for road fund licence purposes.

The improvements have been made without sacrificing Mazda’s renowned fun-to-drive characteristics meaning buyers don’t have to downsize to a smaller engine to get the economy they want.

The changes also strengthen new Mazda6’s credentials as the true no compromise car for motorists looking for the perfect blend of performance, economy and safety wrapped up in a highly competitive package.

“The improvements to emissions and economy open clear water between us and the sector’s best seller the BMW 320d and when linked with our outstanding finance offers make the new Mazda6 a very competitive choice for our retail customers,” said Mazda UK Sales Director Peter Allibon.

The improvements – the result of production modifications - also reinforce new Mazda6’s award-winning credentials. Since its launch in January, it has won numerous awards including ‘Best Large Family Car' (saloon) and ‘Best Estate Car' (tourer) from the influential website CarBuyer, which is linked to the weekly Auto Express magazine, as well ‘Best Family Car’ in the Auto Express New Car awards and most recently the ‘Eco Car Award’ at the Scottish Car of the Year awards.

It is also one of the safest cars on Britain’s roads after receiving a 5-Star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP tests, the highest rating possible, announced in September. The result endorses Mazda's strategy of enhancing the safety of all its new vehicles by introducing such innovations as the impact-absorbing SKYACTIV-Body technology.

New Mazda6 buyers are offered a choice of 36 saloon and tourer models with three equipment levels (SE, SE-L and Sport - with or without Satellite Navigation) and four high-efficiency SKYACTIV diesel and petrol powertrains.  Prices range from £19,595 to £28,295 (on-the-road).

Mazda3 to offer fleet appeal with a range of new models

• Class-leading combination of performance and economy
• Outstanding CO2 emissions from 104g/km on the all-new Mazda3 deliver tax savings
• SKYACTIV technology gives Mazda three-model fleet appeal

The all-new Mazda3 is expected to transform the lower medium company car sector led by a class-leading combination of performance, excellent fuel economy and low emissions with the latter delivering tax savings to drivers and businesses.

The model, which will be available in hatchback and fastback (saloon) body styles, will be the third car in the Mazda range, following the Mazda CX-5 and new Mazda6, to feature the manufacturer’s breakthrough SKYACTIV technology.

A choice of three highly efficient SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and one SKYACTIV-D diesel engine available with outstanding CO2 emissions from 104g/km will be twinned with crisp, smooth six-speed automatic or manual transmissions offering fleet operators and company car drivers a wide model choice across SE, SE Nav, SE-L, SE-L Nav and Sport Nav trim levels.

Arrival of the 36-strong model range heralds the debut of two new SKYACTIV engines - the SKYACTIV-G 1.5-litre 100ps delivering up to 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and emissions from 119gkm and the 2.0-litre 120ps also offering up to 55.4mpg and emissions from 119g/km. The range also sees the introduction of powerplants already established in the Mazda CX-5 and new Mazda6 in the form of the SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre 165ps with MPG up to 48.7mpg and emissions of 135g/km and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 150ps, which meets Euro 6 emission standards and returns up to 72.4mpg with emissions from 104g/km.

On the road (OTR) prices start at £16,695 for the all-new Mazda3 hatchback 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-G 100ps SE hatchback and extend to £23,345 for the all-new Mazda3 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D 150ps Sport Nav auto hatchback. The range goes on sale in January 2014.

Meanwhile, OTR prices for the all-new Mazda3 fastback featuring the emission-busting 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D 150ps (104g/km) engine start at £19,245 for the SE derivative and extend to £22,145 for the Sport Nav variant. It means that company car driver benefit-in-kind tax bills for the car start at just £48 a month in 2014 for a basic rate taxpayer (£96 a month at the higher rate).

Mazda is gunning for the traditional C segment with the all-new model, but due to a combination of its dimensions - it is larger than the outgoing Mazda3 - coupled with styling, price and performance that deliver up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the manufacturer believes it will secure a significant foothold in the premium C/D segment.

The all-new Mazda3 2.2-litre SKYACTIV diesel 150ps model, which is anticipated to be the best-seller in the corporate market, offers for example, significant CO2 and MPG advantages over rivals, while also delivering major benefit-in-kind tax savings to drivers and corporate tax and National Insurance savings to employers.

Mazda Head of Fleet Steve Tomlinson said: “A class-leading combination of performance, CO2 emissions and fuel economy, means that the all-new Mazda3 gives fleet managers and company car drivers a real alternative to the traditional in both the C and C/D segments.

“The introduction of SKYACTIV technology in both the Mazda CX-5 and new Mazda6 within the past 12 months has helped to increase Mazda’s penetration in the fleet sector and the arrival of the all-new Mazda3 with similar benefits will further enhance our fleet proposition.”

The £28,410 (OTR) BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics 4dr with CO2 emissions of 109g/km and fuel economy of 68.9mpg is generally regarded as setting the emissions and fuel economy benchmarks in the C/D sector.

Tomlinson continued: “The all-new Mazda3 fastback with CO2 emissions of 104g/km, fuel economy of 72.4mpg and priced from £19,245 establishes a new performance threshold. Additionally, with a benefit-in-kind tax rate of just 15 percent in 2014, the significantly lower list price means major savings for both businesses and company car drivers.”

Specification on the all-new Mazda3 will offer a remarkable combination of advanced information, entertainment and connectivity, with safety and convenience as the top priorities. Additionally, spaciousness over the outgoing model includes class-leading rear legroom combined with a larger boot - 364-litres with rear seats up (including under floor storage) – more than the current hatchback. Boot space in the fastback is 419-litres.

Tomlinson concluded: “The all-new SKYACTIV Mazda3 alongside the new Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5, both of which already benefit from SKYACTIV technology, gives Mazda a significant three-model presence in the fleet sector.

“Both new Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 are delivering new corporate sales opportunities for Mazda as businesses look to reduce operating costs and tax bills. Additionally, the sporty design, quality interior and performance coupled with benefit-in-kind tax bill savings versus the opposition appeal strongly to company car drivers.

“The all-new Mazda3 has similar attributes and offers identical cash saving advantages, while also being a major step-forward for Mazda in terms of delivering opportunities in the most competitive sectors of the company car market.”