The 2009 Audi A3 gives hatchback lovers a taste of real luxury. Compared to many other hatchbacks, this sporty A3 hatch wagon presents an aura of sophistication and maturity.

The 2009 model is packed with additional features and some aesthetic enhancements. Perhaps the car’s most immediately noticeable changes in style are the redesigned headlights, which are equipped with Audi’s very own LED daytime running lights, and the sculpted chin spoiler.

When it comes to performance, the 2009 A3 has a 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine with four cylinders, which produces 207 lb/ft of torque and 200 horsepower. The car can accelerate to 60 mph within 7.2 seconds. However, on test it was found that accelerating aggressively caused an undesirable shaking and excessive wheel spin.  This may of course have been a fault with that particular car.

Drivers of average size will find the 2009 A3’s cabin just fine. Drivers can opt to replace the front seats with sports front seats, which are more comfortable for long drives. Another feature of the A3 is the sky sunroof, which could be a turn-off for taller passengers. Really short drivers may also have problems with the range of seat adjustment available. The driver’s dead pedal (left footrest) is attached to the protruded wheelwell. The steering wheel is well positioned.

As a summary the A3 has some great features; Audi’s outstanding design and engineering, a smooth and powerful engine, impressive brakes, pleasing body styling, and an enhanced interior. The car is a bit pricey, but then you are getting a quality product for your pounds.

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The 2010 Porsche Panamera can be described with three phrases: it is big, it is fast, and it is comfortable. This four seater hatchback saloon is able to glide across whole continents in whopping 130 mph leaps, but still leaves its driver and passengers refreshed and relaxed inside. With just a press of some buttons, one can stiffen its suspension, quickening its step with its seven-speed PDK transmission and letting the deep-barrelled double exhausts huff more easily. With this efficient array of performance enhancements, the Porsche Panamera is ready to take on sharp mountain turns and snaking routes.

The Panamera may look bulky and a little inconspicuous design-wise, but one must appreciate the effort that Porsche’s designers put into masking its size. Measuring 55.8 inches tall and 195.7 inches long, no one can deny that the Panamera is quite a large car. However, some car critics argue that this car definitely looks better on the road than in videos and photos.

Despite its size, the Panamera certainly does not lack power and speed. Sporting a 400 horsepower engine under its bonnet, the standard Porsche Panamera can reach 60 mph in about 4.8 seconds, and 100 mph in 11.5 seconds. It has a top speed of 175 mph. However, the pricier and more powerful Panamera Turbo edition has an additional 100 horsepower, making for a 500 hp beast of an engine. The Panamera Turbo can reach speeds of up to 188 mph. According to Porsche’s tests, the car can reach 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, and can take on that 100 mph sprint in only 9.0 seconds.

The 2010 Porsche Panamera’s looks may be quite controversial, but it is definitely very quick and comfortable to ride in.

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Leasing a luxurious car such as the Mercedes-Benz could be seen to be quite difficult; however, there are several car leasing companies that lease this type of luxury vehicle. These companies present all the information one might need when considering leasing a Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz, one of the top car manufacturers in Germany, offers the R-class car, which is described as a luxury multi-activity vehicle. The car is also described as the Grand Sports Tourer and offers a luxury saloon combination with the features of a 4×4 and an MPV. The R Class is available as both long and short wheelbase models and has all the power needed to take on the toughest of driving assignments!

The car has an excellent suspension system that can give you a very smooth ride, with a dexterity and agility you can feel in spite of its size. Mercedes-Benz does not only focus on comfort. They are also concerned with the safety of the driver as well as of the passengers and they provide a Neck Pro system that activates a mechanism for restraining the head upon impact.  The R Class also has airbags of high quality. There are two adaptive airbags in the front seat and an optional one for the back seat.

Most of the Mercedes models available from car leasing companies have 36-month terms or more depending on the offer of the company and the request of the lessee. The car is available with two types of lease: a Business Car Lease and a Personal Car Lease.

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The Fiat 500C has the smallest engine amongst the current Fiat vehicles available. This car has a 1.2 litre engine that can only produce up to 69 bhp, so driving up steep hills without a marked speed reduction as you go is not possible; don’t expect sports car performance.  The first thing a potential owner must know is that this car is perhaps more suitable for city driving. If you are more accustomed to cruising on the motorway, then this model will probably not be your cup of tea. For those that love the styling but still want a bit of power, the 1.3 litre diesel engine that can produce up to 73bhp and the 1.4 litre petrol engine that turns out up to 100bhp are more suitable options.

The 500C has roof pillars that do not fold up awkwardly like other convertibles. The ride is stable, although it can be a little bumpy over potholes and such, but not so much that the driver and passengers will find it unbearable.

The roof retracts in three stages, and the rear glass window goes down completely. The roof uses canvas instead of metal, which makes it easier to fold. There is a bit of wind noise when the roof is folded midway. However, when the roof is completely unfolded the noise decreases to a manageable level because of the insulation. When the roof is folded down, the wind noise is also barely noticeable. The engine makes little noise, giving the driver and passengers a comfortable drive.

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The boys are given £1500 to buy a rear wheel drive car and are then told to go to France. Clarkson turned up in a Porsche 944 S2, it does look bit of a rough but with a small budget you’re not going to get something that’s concourse.
Hammond went Japanese with a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo, and James turned up last as usual with a Ford Capri 2.8 injection.
A 500 mile journey then commenced to a race track deeper into France, another mini challenge was given when they pulled into a service station stating that if any cars didn’t make the 500 mile drive then a Morris Marina would be used as a backup car.

The Stig set a lap in a Renault Twingo 133, with a 1:32.31. Richard went first in his 300zx to produce a hot lap and proceeded to spin off. Clarkson set a time of 1:36.00, James May did a lap of 1:48.

Another challenge was set whilst at the track a 200m 0-60 and then stop before hitting a prized possession, such as Jeremy’s Drum kit, James’s piano and Richard new motorbike. In honesty james looked the worst off with his Capri compared to the other two that had rather sporty cars, Richard easily made the challenge and stopped way before his bike, Clarkson tapped his drum kit and may wiped out his piano.

They then headed off to a ski resort 115 miles away.

In the news they all discuss the new the new Jaguar XJ, Jeremy finds a speeding ticket from a Veyron owner who was clocked doing 210 in California.

Jezza drives the new Jaguar XFR which compares to the BMW M5. He says how it doesn’t stick out and blends in with other cars. It supposedly limited to 155MPH yet Clarkson gets it up to 165MPH. Costing £60,000 its notably less than a M5 and its more comfortable than sitting on a fat dog.

Back with the £1500 car challenge and your shown James’s Capri smoking and making funny noises and then proceeded to break down, so the boys left him to it at the side of the road.

Clarkson and Hammond decided to wait for May who turned up in the Morris Marina.

They were doing to be competing in an ice race; they needed to get up a small hill though to get to the track, Richard tried first and slid back down the hill, Jezza tried next and in true Topgear style applied more speed and proceeded to stick his Porsche sideways into a wall.

In the night the boys fitted spiked tyres roll cages and some race sponsors.
They expect it to be a easy race until they spot Olivier Panis EX F1 driver.
James’s slow and steady approach won him the race as he over took Clarkson and Hammond who where just hitting each other.

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On this week’s Top Gear, Usain Bolt is the star in the reasonably priced car, Clarkson drives the new Focus RS, May and Hammond race a new Porsche Panamera against the Royal Mail and Clarksons challenges the British army.

As we all know Clarkson loves fast fords. He recently owned a Ford GT which he sold to purchase a Mercedes SLR but previous to this he owned a Ford Escort Cosworth, his Cosworth was one of the press vehicles and it kept its statuary Ford number plate K38 FMC, FMC standing for Ford motor company.

So naturally Clarkson fell straight in love with the new 300BHP Focus RS. He did seem to think it would have benefited from a 4 wheel drive system to help with torque steer. But said “the cornering grip was phenomenal and you’d only slide wide after your face came off”.

Hammond then came along in the new Renault Megane R26R which Clarkson poked huge holes in it saying it couldn’t be an everyday car as there’s no rear seats no radio, it’s basically a no thrills inside car. Compared to the Focus RS which is still a focus inside with a large boot, aircon and satnav.

Ford Focus RS

The race with the Porsche Panamera against the Royal Mail to be honest was slightly boring and predictable.

Usain Bolt did a 1:46.5 lap in the reasonably priced car.

We did slightly wonder why Clarkson was hammering round in an Evo 8 bouncing it off the rev limiter, with a crude boost control valve running the most boost for the turbo that he can manage. Turns out that it was a drug dealer’s car and the court hard ordered that the car must be destroyed; well Top Gear did a very good job

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Driving a Ford will never be the same again. As the car leasing industry continues to find that niche in the auto-financing world, many individuals are slowly learning the key advantages of leasing compared to risky car purchase transactions. As new Ford models are set for market launch, petrolheads might go straight towards securing a car-leasing contract. A Ford leasing contract package offers everybody flexible, comprehensive, and easy-to-manage car financing schemes.

One of the Ford models that is most sought-after by private or business clients is the Ford Mondeo Estate car. This car is built for excellence and precision and it has a superb engine built to withstand rugged road conditions. Another insight into this Ford car is its capacious seating capacity that can accommodate 6-8 passengers. With its aesthetic design, the Mondeo Estate is arguably the best Ford Estate car ever manufactured.

Here, the potential car lessee is only required to pay the set initial payment. The initial payment is equivalent to 6 months monthly rentals, including interest. There are two types of car leasing options, personal and business classes.  Normally, the leasing interest is lower than that of car purchase transactions. Monthly instalments are equally proportioned into the agreed number of car leasing months, whether 24 or 36 months. The Ford Mondeo Estate 1.8 TDCi Edge 100 5dr 36 Business car contract hire monthly instalment is pegged at £248/month. On the other hand, the personal car lease class offers £286/month for 36 months for a Ford Mondeo Estate 1.8 TDCi Edge 100 5dr car lease deal.

With Ford Leasing, everyone now has the opportunity to drive a Ford Mondeo Estate. The flexibility and practicality it provides really puts this deal in a class of its own.

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Ken is a professional rally driver but his natural talent for car control is out of this world he appears to be at one with his car.

Traditional drift cars are usually rear wheel drive meaning the only wheels that are drive the car are the rear ones. This means it’s easy to get the car sideways and keep it in that sideways motion through a corner. The most common cars that you’ll see drifting are mainly Japanese imports such as Nissan Silvias, Mazda RX-7’s and Toyota Levins.

Car Drifting

These drift cars can run from 400 BHP Upwards.

Ken Block uses a Subaru Impeza WRX STI in his drifting his is a bit different as its 4 wheel drive meaning all wheels have power going to them. Just watching Ken on YouTube videos you can see his talent before your eyes.

This is a clip that was on BBC’s TopGear show, and you can see by the look an James May’s face how talented Ken is and how well he keeps his car controlled

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Halfords is the UK’s number car accessory shop, they sell pretty much everything from fuses and light bulbs to alloy wheels and car cleaning products.
Halfords have recently said that they are making the most of their business from the fitting service that they offer.
So if you buy a new radio and aren’t sure how to fit it then for a small fee Halfords will fit it straight after your purchase. Ok so fitting a CD player into your car isn’t a big job if you’re fairly competent, but with technology changing there’s always a chance that you might run into a problem.

Halfords also stock a good range of mountain bikes range from the budget bikes for the occasional use to a wide range from the most well known and respected name Kona. They will also service your bike to make sure it’s kept in tip top condition and is safe to ride on the UK roads. Offering great advice on bike accessories such as lights and helmets.

Most of the Halfords staff are very knowledgeable even if only in one area of expertise such as bikes or camping equipment.

Halfords are now the main UK retailer for car accessories since motorworld seem to have fewer and fewer shops. Even the smaller stores that Halfords own have a great selection of products to browse through before you make your final purchase.

They also often rung great 3 for 2 promotions on things such as car products or camping equipment.

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Car leasing is rather similar to renting. Through this type of scheme, one can drive his/her dream car without the agony of paying the full price. It is ideal for private individuals as well as businessmen, as car leasing offers almost all types of modern cars available. It is also great for persons who want to use the most suitable car to fit their family needs. The concept of car leasing is a good one, though it also entails binding oneself to a contract, which could be quite expensive especially if one decides to break it.

Leasing a Vauxhall is one of the most popular choices for consumers in the UK. As a world leader in car manufacturing, Vauxhall provides great cars to choose from. Whether one requires a single car or an entire fleet, Vauxhall has sufficient resources to fit one’s needs. They are committed to offering a precise blend of performance, reliability and safety.

Nearly all models of Vauxhall are available for leasing and priced to fit the needs of their customers. These include the Corsa 3DR, Agila 5DR, Astra 3DR to name but a few.  A Corsa Van can be leased from as little as £189.99 p/m excluding VAT. Other more unusual models are available too, including the Antara 4×4, and the Astra Cabriolet). All of these cars can be hired under a 36-month contract.

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