Vauxhall Motors launches ADAM Black and ADAM White Limited Editions

Vauxhall Motors has launched a limited edition of 250 ADAMs creating even more levels of personalisation for the urban chic city car.  The ADAM Black Edition and ADAM White Edition take their design cues from a smartphone, encompassing optimal connectivity and a sleek and stylish feel.

The Vauxhall ADAM is the best connected small car in its segment and the new ADAM Black Edition and ADAM White Edition come with Vauxhall’s IntelliLink infotainment system and Siri Eyes Free voice control fitted as standard.  They reflect typical smartphone looks in black or white, with accents in brushed aluminium effect.

“The ADAM Black Edition and ADAM White Edition models resemble sophisticated smartphones on wheels,” says Duncan Aldred, Chairman and Managing Director, Vauxhall Motors.  “The ADAM combines innovative technologies with countless personalisation possibilities which are not available in its segment.  With these new models, our urban chic city car once again shows that it is the best connected small car and a true individualisation champion all wrapped up in one.”

ADAM drivers who have an iOS 6 – or later – compatible iPhone can comfortably and safely activate the Siri Eyes Free function via steering wheel controls and operate it with voice commands while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Ultra-modern technology and design is mirrored in the looks of the special ADAM Black Edition and ADAM White Edition models. The ADAM comes in ‘I’ll be Black’ metallic paint or ‘Saturday White Fever’ brilliant paint exterior colours. The rest of the exterior carries a brushed, aluminum-look including the side mirror housings, and grille bar carrying the Vauxhall logo.  In addition, there are tinted rear windows and 18-inch wheels in a Twister design with matching brushed aluminium finish wheel clips. The black or white lacquered standard roof spoiler, as well as the characteristically shaped headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights ensure the car stand-outs amongst its rivals. The sport chassis provides plenty of driving fun with its direct response and sports pedals.

Inside the cabin, the seats, instruments and applications continue the exterior colour scheme. In the ADAM Black Edition, all occupants enjoy the comfort of Ocio Black Morrocana seat trim cushions. While the centre console and instrument panel are piano black, the door trims, glove box, leather gear knob and handbrake handle are in contrasting bright white. The counterpart to this is the ADAM White Edition version, with its own colour scheme: the seats are Ocio White Morrocana also mirrored in the instrument panel and centre console.

The ADAM Black Edition and ADAM White Edition is priced at £14,995 (1.4 87PS), available across the UK.  For further information please visit http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vehicles/vauxhall-range/cars/adam/black-and-white/adam-white-black-edition.html

Vauxhall does it again, 200PS Astra GTC, its most powerful non VXR model.

• 200PS GTC now most powerful non-VXR model in Astra range
• Innovative Intellilink infotainment system now available on all Astra GTCs

A new Astra GTC is now available with a powerful new 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine, priced from just £20,995 on-the-road.

First seen in the Cascada convertible, and packing 200PS and 300Nm of torque, the all-new, four cylinder unit allows the GTC to achieve a top speed of 143mph and 0-60mph time in 7.3 seconds, making it the fastest non-VXR model in the Astra range.

Peak power and torque are increased by up to 30 per cent over the previous 1.6-litre turbo model, yet fuel consumption of 51mpg combined and emissions of 154g/km have meant a 13 per cent improvement in efficiency.

The new engine brings sector-leading refinement to the Astra GTC range.  It is the only unit in its class to feature twin balancer shafts for smooth running, while a host of sound engineering measures have been made for low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Priced from £855, Vauxhall has also introduced the innovative Intellilink infotainment system to the Astra GTC range. Intuitive and user-friendly, the system features satellite navigation, voice control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, picture viewer and Gracenote album art, all via its high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen display.

In addition, the top-of-the-range Navi 950 IntelliLink contains Europe-wide street level mapping with updates easily downloadable via USB. Drivers can also have incoming text messages read out to them, as well as integrating their smartphones’ own voice recognition functions.

“We’ve strengthened our Astra GTC offering with a strong and powerful 1.6-litre petrol engine and the cutting-edge Intellilink infotainment system,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Carline Brand. “Vauxhall is really throwing down the gauntlet to UK coupe sector rivals with these enhancements to our Astra GTC range.”

Astra GTCs with the new engine and Intellilink are available to order now with first deliveries expected in the spring.

With the Astra GTC and all models in its passenger car range, Vauxhall gives peace of mind for the life of the vehicle via its industry-leading Lifetime Warranty. Available to the first owner, the warranty is valid for the lifetime of the vehicle up to a maximum of 100,000 miles.

2014 Buick Regal continues great Dynasty

The addition of the Regal nameplate to the Buick family goes back 40 years, but even today, the Regal’s heritage as a sporty, mid-size luxury vehicle is strong as ever.

Introduced in 1973, the Century Regal, as it was originally called, served as an upmarket model in the Century line and one of GM's first “personal luxury” cars. Designed with sporty suspension characteristics and luxuries aimed primarily at the driver, the ‘73 Regal coupe sold   91,557 units helping Buick surpass its 1955 all-time sales record.

Launched with a standard 350 cu. in. V-8 engine, the Regal would soon carve a niche as a powertrain innovator. Among one of the first to react to the initial Arab oil embargo, the 1975 Buick Regal was the only mid-size vehicle in the United States to forego a standard V-8 engine in favor of a V-6.

“The Buick team was on the leading edge and reacted to the need of more fuel-efficient engines,” said General Motors Heritage Center manager Greg Wallace. “Engineers worked around the clock to get the V-6 program up and running in a fraction of the time it typically took, while making sure to retain Buick’s reputation for reliability.”

Just a few years later, beginning with the 1978 Regal, Buick would lead a vanguard on turbocharging for better fuel economy. This expertise would later be used in creating Regals that would be recognized as some of the most powerful and significant cars of the 1980s.

Throughout four decades, and now in its fifth generation, the Regal carries on its sweeping design, dynamic driving experience and powertrain leadership. Today’s Regal is equipped with its most-powerful standard engine, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 259 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of toque. To help make the most of traction in all driving conditions, it is also available with advanced all-wheel-drive system that incorporates an electronic limited-slip differential and HiPer Strut front suspension.

A 2.4L engine with eAssist light electrification technology is also available, delivering EPA-estimated ratings of 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

With today’s focus on all-passenger comfort, safety and technology, the latest Regal comes standard with an eight-inch color touch display featuring IntelliLink in-vehicle connectivity. Leather-appointed seating surfaces, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control are all standard. A host of new radar- and camera-based safety features are available, including Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert and Collision Mitigation Braking.

Generation 1 – 1973-1977

Large swooping body lines and opera windows were among Regal’s fashion cues at the start of the personal luxury era. The 1975 Regal was the only mid-size car in the United States to come standard with an efficient V-6 engine while maintaining comparable V-8 performance.

Generation 2 – 1978-1987

Downsized from the previous generation, the 1978 Regal offered a 3.8-liter turbocharged V-6, making Buick the first mainstream brand to offer a turbocharged engine. This ingenuity would pave the way for iconic Buick’s of the 80s including the highly desired Grand National and legendary GNX.

Generation 3 – 1988-1996

Continuing the trend of scaled down cars in the U.S., the Regal’s third generation was again smaller and would usher in front wheel drive. Power would come from an all six-cylinder engine lineup including the award-winning 3800 V-6 engine.

Generation 4 – 1997-2004

Back to its roots, the 1997 Regal again became an upmarket version of the Buick Century. The ‘97 Buick Regal GS debuted with the brand’s first supercharged V-6, rated at 240 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.

Generation 5 – 2009-2014

After a brief hiatus, the Regal would first return to the Chinese market for 2009, following a year later in the U.S. A high-output, dynamically optimized GS model would return for 2012. Introduced in 2013, the 2014 model is the first Regal to offer all-wheel-drive. Combining sport sedan handling with some of the most power-dense and technically advanced engines in the brand’s history, the Regal is helping to attract younger, new buyers to Buick.