CITROËN CROSSING: Citroën has released details of its upcoming SUV, the C Crosser, expected in Ireland in late 2007. The new seven-seater vehicle will measure 4.6m long, 1.8m wide and 1.7m high including roof bar.
It will be available at launch with a new 156 bhp 2.2l HDi diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. It will also feature three transmission settings, depending on road conditions and driving style: four-wheel drive, two-wheel drive and a lock setting recommended for low-grip conditions, all of which are selected using the control behind the gear lever.
As with most seven-seaters in this category, the third row folds flat into the boot. No prices are available at present.
HONDA PUSHES HYBRID FORWARD: With increasing focus on the environment, Honda is introducing a hybrid version to its new Civic line-up. Civic IMA is the first commercial application of Honda's new petrol-electric system known as Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) and the Japanese marque hopes to sell 50 IMA versions next year.
Civic IMA retails at €27,995, which includes a 50 per cent rebate on Vehicle Registration Tax. The new hybrid combines a new 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine with a more efficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. Honda claims it achieves approximately 20 per cent greater fuel efficiency - with a combined fuel economy of 4.6 litres/100km - performance matches 1.8-l engine.