MG axes TF Roadster (UK)

MG has axed the TF roadster after 15 years.

Production of the TF roadster at Longbridge, West Midlands has been erratic since it resumed in 2008. But the final production cars might have been shipped to dealers.

“There’s a discussion as to whether that was the last batch,” said a spokesman for MG, referring to the production run of 155 cars earlier this year. “It’s always been on the cards. We can’t say for sure, but it’s largely driven by market forces.”

Initially sold as the MGF, the two-door was launched in 1995, rivalling the Mazda MX-5. With Rover-developed Hydragas suspension giving secure handling, the soft-top conquered sales in its class.

Toyota Land Cruiser sales soar (UK)

Toyota UK has seen sales of its flagship SUV’s, Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser V8 rise 120% and 77% over the same period from last year. On the whole, SUV's sales in the UK have been rising. The rocketing sales are most probably due to recent Scandinavian style winter that has battered the UK.

It’s unsurprising to see most buyers choosing the 3.0 litre D-4D, 4-cylinder diesel engine over the 282bhp 4.5 litre D-4D V8 diesel, since the latter returns 27mpg and emits 270g/km.

In 2011, the iconic Land Cruiser will celebrate its 60th anniversary. With more than 6m units sold since launch, the Land Cruiser is available in more than 140 territories and manufactured in nine plants in five countries.

Both vehicles are covered by a comprehensive manufacturer 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty.

New Car: 2011 Ford C-Max (U.S)

Ford has revealed the U.S spec C-Max compact MPV. Designed in Europe and underpinning the Focus platform, the C-Max will premier at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Designed for young families, the long-wheelbase C-Max has an expressive, dynamic exterior that shuns conventional people-carrier styling. Optional equipment will include a hands-free bootlid (you put your leg under the bumper and it opens), panoramic glass roof, park assist, keyless entry & start, front & rear parking sensors, leather interior w/heated front seats, rear-view camera w/satellite navigation system, and keyless entry.

On the inside, the C-Max sports a ‘5+2’ seating plan, with the 2nd row of seats that slide back and forth. For easy entry into the 3rd, the 2nd outboard seats tip-and-slide forward. The middle seat in the 2nd row can be folding to create a walk-through to the rear seats. If the 3rd row seats are not needed, they can be deleted on the options list.

Under the bonnet will be two petrol engines. An entry-level 2.5 litre iVCT 4-cylinder producing 168bhp (170PS) and 226Nm (167lb-ft) of torque and a 1.6 litre Ti-VCT EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, pumping out 180bhp (183PS) and 234Nm (173lb-ft) of torque. Both engines will be linked to a 6 speed automatic transmission.

THINK launches four-seat City in Europe

Norwegian electric car manufacture, THINK, is now offering its City model with four seats, for the very first time.

The minute EV is equipped with air-conditioning and comes with a five-year warranty (or 60,000 miles/100,000km – whichever occurs first).

The storable rear seats apparently make the City “unquestionably, the most attractive EV on the market,” according to THINK marketing manager, Michael Lock.

The City has a range of 100 miles (160km) on a single charge. While the City will go on sale across Europe, UK sales will start some time in 2011. Before you order one, think about the City’s eye-watering, bank-breaking £23,500 price-tag.

Honda stops Accord and CR-V sales (U.S)

Honda has stopped sales of the 2011 Accord and CR-V and asked its dealerships to examine 9,322 vehicles for possible engine oil leaks.

Honda described this as "a product update, not a recall," and said an official statement was given to dealerships in early December. Customers have been notified of this problem.

If needed, Honda will replace an engine part called a rocker shaft holder to rectify the issue. The rocker shaft holder could crack, allowing oil to leak from the cylinder head, Honda said.

Concept Car: Mini Paceman

Mini will debut a new concept crossover at the forthcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on 10th January, marking the 10th anniversary of the brand’s relaunch in the U.S.

The Paceman concept is an upmarket, compact coupe and centres on the 5dr Countryman. Although the go-ahead for production is yet to be given, expect the Paceman to go into production in 2012. The Paceman use the same floor structure, inner structure, including the bulkhead and windscreen as the Countryman. Despite this, it’s had 20mm knocked off its height. From the screen rearwards, the Paceman gets a totally new exterior. At 4,110mm long, the front bumper is 20mm shorter than that of the Countryman.

BMW calls the Paceman (following on from the Clubman and Countryman) the first ‘Sports Activity Coupe’ in the miniature car segment. Once the Paceman goes on sale, it is possible for it to be offered the most powerful Mini engines.

An insider said: "There’s no chance of a 'One' version of this car," and the concept will sport a tuned 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbocharged John Cooper Works petrol engine, producing 212bhp. Toque is rated at 260Nm (192lb-ft) (280Nm (207lb-ft) with overboost). Mini’s ALL4 permanent four-wheel drive system will also feature on the concept.

The longer front doors have allowed Mini designers to integrate a rising window line. Unlike most modern coupes, the Paceman will also have momentous rear legroom and headroom.

“In contrast to the more vertical design of the MINI Countryman, we’ve given the MINI Paceman Concept a horizontal emphasis and accentuated the width of the car rather more to underline the powerful appearance of the study,” explained Marcus Syring, Head of MINI Exterior Design.

At the rear, designers have ditched vertical tail-lights for ones that cut into the tailgate.

Internally, the Paceman employs the same interior as the Countryman. The front seats will be mounted higher than in a usual road car.

When the Paceman lands in dealerships, it will be the most expensive Mini yet. Prices may start from £22,000 for the front-drive variant, rising to £26,000 plus.

Kia Sorento passes 100,000th mark (U.S)

Kia has celebrated the sale of its 100,000th Sorento SUV, the first American built vehicle from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia.

Since launch, the Sorento has been Kia’s best-selling vehicle for eleven successive months and is the first Kia model to eclipse the 100,000 unit mark in the U.S in one year.

“Selling 100,000 Sorentos over an 11-month period is an extraordinary achievement for not only the Kia brand, but our first U.S plant as well, “said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and KMMG. “This impressive sales milestone demonstrates Kia’s growing brand impact in the U.S., which is a direct result of our ongoing design-led transformation which has delivered a growing stable of new generation Kia vehicles, highlighted by our best-selling Sorento, and will continue into the future with the arrival of several more exciting, stylish and fun to drive products.”