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We will be rolling out some new changes over the next few weeks.
Great car finance offer
Comments OffNew Zealand’s Best Car Deal now offers a great used car finance offer for used car buyers please see details below
For more details visit www.nzbcd.co.nz and for a full list of dealer locations click here.
To search for a used car click here there are over 600 used cars in stock for the full used car stock list click here.
Finance offer is subject to normal lending criteria. Payments shown in this advertisement are based on no deposit, no repayments for 6 months then 48 months to pay at a fixed finance rate of 13.9% and a documentation fee of $395. The approval process is quick and easy and you need not necessarily be a home owner to qualify, nor will we require you to provide your home as security For the loan. Mechanical warranty subject to scheduled service requirements. Warranty extensions are available at a preferential rate. The Visa pre-paid Prezzy card loaded with $500 is given in conjunction with an approved NZBCD loan from UDC Finance or Finance Mitsubishi over a total term of 54 months (6 months deferred then 48 months to pay). Visa prezzy cards are funded by the financier and are not given for cash sales or shorter finance terms. Pre-paid card will be activated within 7 working days from date of issue. Roadside Assistance covering all of New Zealand is included for 24 months and is provided by a third party.
For more details visit www.nzbcd.co.nz
See this on Carbuying
carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/a-great-used-car-finance-offer/
Mitsubishi news at Andrew Simms Auckland
Comments OffKeep up with the latest news and car reviews from Andrew Simms Mitsubishi in Newmarket Auckland New Zealand
Click here to view the latest news from Andrew Simms Mitsubishi Auckland
Andrew Simms Mitsubishi is the leading Mitsubishi Motors car dealer and stock a large range of new and used cars.
Apply for car finance online , book your vehicle in for a service all online at
Andrew Simms Mitsubishi is located at 500 Broadway Newmarket in Auckland.
Source
carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/news-from-andrew-simms-auckland/
From 1 November, buyers of every new Mitsubishi car, SUV, ute or van will benefit from the “Diamond Advantage” ten-year (or 160,000km*) powertrain warranty and five-year (or 130,000km*) bumper-to-bumper mechanical warranty.
The new customer care package also includes five years’ roadside assistance.
“We’re delighted to offer this unprecedented level of assurance to our new car customers,” said general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. “It demonstrates the faith we have in the long-recognised reliability of our vehicles.”
“Mitsubishi’s vast experience in developing high-performance engines and drivelines, and the oils and lubricants that have to meet the stresses and strains over the long term, has had a lot to do with us being able to lengthen the warranty so significantly,”
“Diamond Advantage is the best new car warranty and customer care available in New Zealand. It will provide future customers with unprecedented peace of mind and comprehensive support” said Mr Wilkins.
Diamond Advantage Warranty overview: Diamond Advantage Warranty applies to all new Mitsubishi cars, SUVs, utes and vans.
Mitsubishi’s 10-year or 160,000km* powertrain warranty covers the following components:
- Engine
- Turbo charger
- Water pump
- Engine transmission mounts
- Transmission/transaxle (auto/manual)
- 4WD transfer case
- Propeller shaft
- Drive shafts and axels
- Differential
* Whichever occurs first. For full terms and conditions visit www.mmnz.co.nz
Check out these Mitsubishi Motors new car dealers
Source :
carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/mitsubishi-introduces-nzs-best-new-car-warranty-and-customer-care/
Fiat Sets New Record For Lowest CO2 Emissions
Comments OffFiat Automobiles has again shown its commitment to a cleaner environment following the announcement that its average CO2 emissions figure on cars sold in Europe during the first half of 2009 has dropped to 129.1 g/km.
The new figure – corroborated by automotive advisory leader JATO – means that Fiat is the only mainstream car brand to achieve the European average goal, of 130 g/km by 2015, five years early.
One important contribution to this result is the enormous growth of environment-friendly natural gas as an alternative fuel for passenger cars. During the first half of 2009 around 65,000 Fiat Natural Power cars, with an average of 115.8 g/km in CO2 emissions, were sold in Europe, a figure more than 13 g/km less than the brand’s already recording-breaking average.
This achievement contributed to the establishment of another record: Fiat Group Automobiles is number one in the results posted by manufacturing groups (132.9 g/km), in front of Toyota, PSA, Renault and Hyundai.
“Improving the environment is not a goal for the future, but something we can do right away,” says Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of Fiat Automobiles. “These figures show the unceasing dedication Fiat lavishes on seeking innovative solutions to control polluting emissions and the level of CO2.
“But Fiat’s commitment has always been to the public’s real needs and won’t be stopping here. Our aim is actually to reinforce our European record in emissions reduction by introducing new engines, new technologies and new applications.
“New engines are being introduced – like the innovative MultiAir technology on petrol engines, making them capable of guaranteeing up to 10 per cent lower CO2 emissions, and the new generation of Common Rail MultiJet diesel engines that will make their debut on the Punto Evo and that will be gradually adopted on all of our Group’s cars.
“New technologies, like Start&Stop, introduced on the Fiat 500, is now standard on all Punto Evo Euro 5 engines. Start&Stop can cut CO2 emissions in the urban cycle by as much as 12 per cent.
“Other applications such as eco:Drive – our innovative software programme – allows drivers to analyse personal driving styles so as to optimise consumption and emissions. Sixty thousand people have downloaded it in less than a year since its launch, and 25,000 are using it daily.”
Attention paid to sustainable mobility is part of a strategic undertaking by the entire Group. Fiat Group was recently acknowledged as a leader in terms of sustainability following its entry into the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI) World and Dow Jones Sustainability STOXX Indexes.
carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/fiat-sets-new-record-for-lowest-co2-emissions/
Fiat 500 Opens For Summer
Comments OffFiat is taking orders now for what will be the hottest fashion item for the coming summer – the new Fiat 500C, the open top version of Fiat’s Bambino, the car that has already captured hearts and, thanks to its green credentials, minds, around the world.
“The interest in the open top Fiat 500 C has already proven as strong as it has been for the normal Fiat 500,” explains Lawrie Malatios, General Manager for Fiat in New Zealand. “So we have opened up the order books now, so everyone who wants to be seen in the chicest car this summer can be ready to take their top off the moment summer arrives!”
The new Fiat 500C is available now to order in two versions, both equipped with the 1.4 litre 74 kW engine with a choice of a manual or DuaLogic gearboxes, with deliveries starting in early January. Prices start at a recommended retail price of $37,990 for the manual version and $39,990 for the self shifting DuaLogic version, excluding statutory and on road costs.
“The 500C has been the car to be seen in during the European summer this year and the demand, like that for its solid roof cousin, has run well ahead of supply,” explains Mr Malatios. “With limited numbers coming to New Zealand and existing pent-up interest, we expect the expect demand to run ahead of supply here, too, so now is the time to start planning for chic open top motoring this summer!”
The stylish new Fiat 500 C pays homage to the original 1957 fabric roof Fiat 500, but today’s thoroughly modern interpretation offers customers innovative solutions in terms of mechanical design, performance and comfort.
The Fiat 500 C’s introduction is thus absolutely in line with the authentic Fiat tradition of giving customers access to segment firsts in terms of content and technology, and comes just 18 months after the local launch of the Fiat 500.
Starting from the basis of the highly successful hatchback, the introduction of a soft top version does not change the winning characteristics of the model, such as its four comfortable seats and its comprehensive safety equipment, but it does add new functions that heighten enjoyment, including easy access to the boot even when the soft top is fully open, thanks to a clever system of parallelogram hinges.
Another strong point of this original convertible version is its exceptional climate and 
acoustic comfort. Thorough aerodynamic research means that turbulence experienced on the move with the roof open has been reduced to a minimum, allowing full enjoyment of fresh air and the company of fellow passengers.
The decision to re-interpret the original design in a modern idiom, with an electric sliding roof that retains the shape of this classic vehicle, makes the Fiat 500 C less of a seasonal product and one that can be enjoyed the whole year round. In short, all these features make this new vehicle one of the most successful convertibles in the modern city car segment.
The Fiat 500 C soft top stands out for its elegant electrically controlled movements and its impressively finished and carefully selected technical features, from the glass rear window to the third brake light built into the soft top itself.
The new Fiat 500 C has an exclusive feel to its interior, which is embellished with top quality desirable fabrics, including optional Frau leather upholstery, and a long list of standard features: from automatic climate control to the innovative Blue&Me telematics system.
New Fiat 500 C retains the same dimensions as the hatchback (355 cm long, 165 cm wide and 149 cm high) and uses the powerful engine, the 1.4 74 kW petrol engine, available with manual or Dualogic semi-automatic robotised gearboxes.
The commercial launch of Fiat’s latest convertible ensures that the Fiat 500 continues to be much discussed, and confirms its status as an Italian style icon, able to win over the public and critics worldwide. Clear evidence of its success are the 30 awards it has won worldwide, the 11 million internet users who have visited its website (viewing a total of 200 million pages) and more than 360,000 customer orders for the vehicle received in the 59 markets where it is now on sale.
This is all the more impressive when it’s appreciated that more than half this vehicle’s sales have been recorded outside Italy, (50 per cent elsewhere in Europe and 8 per cent in the rest of the world). In each country where it has been launched, the Fiat 500 has generated enormous interest: in Japan, for example, there have been more than 5,000 orders. It should also be recognised that 80 per cent of Fiat 500 customers select the most expensive features and 90 per cent ask for the Blue&Me system.
In short, as an expression of Italy’s pre-eminent automotive design, the Fiat 500 is not merely a super-compact city car, but a real platform upon which Fiat Group Automobiles is building a whole family of cars with advanced technology and great attention to detail. The new Fiat 500 C represents another step forward in this direction.
Alluring shape and innovative design
“The Fiat 500 C is not merely the open version of the 500,” explains Roberto Giolito, Fiat & Abarth Style Director. “In fact, thanks to the wide range of available versions, this new model is really a whole new car in its own right, with a strong personality inherited from the original 1957 model and an undoubted sentimental value brought to it by so many fans over the years. If, on the one hand, the Fiat 500 C respects the original version, on the other it enriches it with new features which, thanks to stylistic choices, afford each one of us maximum freedom of use.”
The Fiat 500 C uses a deeper windscreen than the Fiat 500. This is needed to resize the upper cross member; and affords a better view for the rear passengers, increases torsional rigidity and facilitates clean lines. These are also enhanced by the continuity of the windscreen, which extends to the fabric roof without exposing any part of the bodywork (an elegant and technologically sophisticated solution in keeping with the spirit of the 500 C).
If the soft top is down and the boot release is activated, an electronic system automatically lifts the hood a few centimetres to allow the boot to be fully opened. This functional and neat solution contributes to the fact that the Fiat 500 C is best in class for ease and versatility of loading and unloading. The luggage compartment itself, (with a capacity of 182 litres – just three litres less than the saloon version), together with a traditional upwards-opening boot and wide access, is spacious and easy to load.
The interior of the Fiat 500 C boasts top quality materials. In particular, the new sporty seats are upholstered in a high quality durable fabric. The backrest and cushions of the rear seats keep passengers well located.
An innovative soft top for a unique style
The Fiat 500 C soft top is characterised by sophisticated electrically controlled movements and innovative technical solutions. In particular, a colour-coded moulding of the same colour as the soft top acts as a spoiler and houses a third brake light, creating similar aerodynamics to the saloon version – a class-leading Cx of 0.33.
In addition, when the soft top is down, the spoiler is arranged so that the third brake light is always visible. The double-layered roof fabric ensures the best possible insulation from the elements, and along with the fabric covered pillars, completes an attractive finish from the inside.
The electrically operated soft top can be controlled either by buttons next to the interior roof light, or from the car’s remote control unit. In addition, the soft top can be operated at any speed under 37 mph (60 km/h).
The soft top is designed to be easy to use: to open it, just press the button for at least half a second to trigger the movement that then continues automatically up to the spoiler position (a midway point can of course be chosen by pressing the button again). Press the button again for at least half-a-second to fully open the roof. When using the remote control, the roof can be opened only as far as the spoiler. For safety reasons, the roof stops at around 25 cm from complete closure; (just press and hold the button to complete the movement).
When the boot is open, the soft top can only be closed (the opening function is de-activated). However, if the roof is fully open and the boot needs to be opened, the soft top automatically moves to a midway point to avoid obstructing loading operations.
Finally, the standard wind-stop can easily be positioned behind the rear headrests (attached to the parcel shelf). This wind tunnel-tested accessory has been designed specifically for the Fiat 500 C. It offers a notable reduction in turbulence for all passengers, at all speeds, and there is no need to remove the wind-stop to open or close the soft top (another unique feature for this vehicle segment).
Environmentally friendly engines
The Fiat 500C’s 1.4 litre engine boasts sophisticated technology and is characterised by its 
lively and flexible feel.
The Fiat 500’s power units are produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT), the division of the Fiat Group that is wholly responsible for the innovation, research, design and production of engines and gearboxes for all types of vehicle: from cars to trucks, boats and agricultural equipment. With around 20,000 employees, 16 factories and 11 research centres across nine countries, this division is one of the most important global players in powertrain manufacturing. At FPT, around 3,000 highly specialised technicians are dedicated to developing and engineering innovative technologies. More than 40 patents filed every year is proof of the quality and seriousness of this commitment, making FPT a centre of excellence for technology and continuous innovation.
Fiat’s 1.4 litre 16V engine delivers 74 kW at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 131 Nm at 4,250 rpm. Developed with strong performance and low consumption in mind, this engine puts the Fiat 500 C at the top of its class, with a top speed of 182 kmh and 0-100 kmh acceleration in just 10.5 seconds. Fuel economy is impressive too: in the combined cycle, the 1.4 litre achieves 6.3 l/100 km. With 74 kW available, this compact car is capable of lively performance and quick responses in city traffic.
Class-leading safety
Structurally derived from the Fiat 500 hatchback (the first car under four metres to receive a five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating), the Fiat 500 C retains all the safety components and features (active and passive) that justifiably place it among the market’s best-in-class.
For example, with seven airbags offered as standard equipment, (two front, two window, two side and one knee bag) the Fiat 500 C is unrivalled in its segment in terms of passive safety. Furthermore, the new car’s stable and efficient braking system combined with its responsive acceleration and reliable handling allows it to emerge unscathed from emergency situations.
The Fiat 500 C uses sophisticated technical solutions to ensure that the driver is in control of the car (active safety): such as ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brake distribution (EBD); an advanced electronic stability program (ESP); anti-slip regulation (ASR), a Hill Holder system – which helps the driver with hill starts – and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA) to help with emergency stops.
Moreover, to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers, the Fiat 500 C has a body designed according to the latest crash resistance criteria. This is the first super-compact car equipped with a front-end structure specifically designed to improve inter-vehicle compatibility in head-on collisions, with a rigid cabin to protect the occupants and high-absorption zones on the outside.
All four seat belts are three-point type – while both front belts have dual pretensioners and load limiters. The front and rear seats are equipped with an anti-submarining system that stops the wearer from sliding underneath the seatbelt during an impact.
The Fiat 500 C has all the dynamic and comfort features that allow users to embark comfortably and safely on any journey. The suspension system plays a fundamental role in this: front suspension is provided by independent MacPherson struts, while the rear suspension is semi-independent with a torsion beam axle. The semi-independent torsion-axle rear suspension system also features an anti-roll bar derived from the Abarth 500 to improve handling and comfort.
Standard and optional features
The Fiat 500C version stands out for its Chrome kit, which includes chrome trim on the side windows, exhaust tail pipe, the interior door handle inserts, gear lever and the front and rear bumpers. Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, ESP, fog lights and parking sensors. The unique to the 500C alloy wheels with 185/55 R16 tyres and electric wing mirrors painted to match the body also come as standard, as does climate AirCon, ABS brakes power windows and locks and the innovative Blue&Me telematics system, which even allows owners to talk to their Fiat 500! Blue&Me, with its eco:Drive programme also enables the 500C to teach its owner to drive more economically.
Test Drive one today at Andrew Simms European Fiat in Auckland
Visit Them online at www.andrewsimmseuropean.co.nz
Berlingo Named Best LCV of the Year
Comments OffCitroën has revealed that its Berlingo Crew Van has been named the best light commercial vehicle (LCV) of the year by an industry body.
A panel of judges at the Institute of Transport Management selected the vehicle for the accolade on the basis of the performance, environmental and commercial benefits it offers to customers.
Among these are its flexibly designed interior, which features foldable seats for a range of different commercial applications, while its basic load capacity also won praise.
Further recognition was bestowed for the van’s green performance and low carbon dioxide emissions, as well as its competitive price.
Robert Handyside, commercial vehicle operations manager for Citroen, stated that the award was a testament to the Berlingo Crew Van’s merits and design. He said:
“No crew carrier of its type can offer such an extensive range of operator-friendly attributes with such unbeatable value for money. This truly is a vehicle in a class of its own.”
Last month, the manufacturer released a special limited edition Berlingo van to commemorate the firm’s 90th anniversary
Test Drive today a Andrew Simms European Citroen Auckland
visit www.andrewsimmseuropean.co.nz
carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/berlingo-named-best-lcvof-the-year/
Citroen Lights up Paris
Comments OffTo celebrate 90 years of Citroën and 120 years of the Eiffel Tower, the two are joining forces again, after 75 years, in a stunning display of Créative Technologie.
Every night for three months from last Thursday, a special 12-minute light show will take place on the Eiffel Tower – one minute for each decade the ‘Iron Lady’ has stood proudly in the heart of Paris.
Last Thursday evening, Citroën streamed live footage of the event from webcams mounted in 10 new Citroën C3’s positioned at key vantage points around the tower.
The footage was broadcast at www.toureiffel.citroen.com. As well as taking advantage of the new C3’s ‘Zenith’ windscreen, the webcam pictures were displayed in vertical 9:16 format, a revolution for internet video.
Citroën and the Eiffel Tower enjoyed a historic partnership for almost 10 years between 1925 and 1934, when André Citroën had the company’s name displayed in lights on the iconic structure. A total of 250,000 light bulbs and 600 kilometres of electric flex were used to make the 30-metre high letters. The spectacle was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest advertising sign. The illuminations were so bright that Charles Lindbergh used the tower as beacon when coming into land after his solo flight across the Atlantic.
Keep up with the latest news and car reviews from Donnithorne Simms Mitsubishi in Christchurch New Zealand
Click here to view the latest news from Donnithorne Simms Christchurch
Donnithorne Simms Mitsubishi is the leading Mitsubishi Motors car dealer and stock a large range of new and used cars.
Apply for car finance online , book your vehicle in for a service all online at
Source: http://carbuying.co.nz/blog/2009/11/keep-up-with-the-latest-news-at-donnithorne-simms-christchurch/