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BMW 3 Series: driven In business, standing still is moving backwards, so they say. There?s no danger of BMW taking its supremacy in the compact executive market for granted, though, hence the latest range of updates. Styling upgrades Most noticeable are cosmetic tweaks to the Coupe and Convertible models, which have new bumpers, lights, bonnet, sill panels and wheel designs for a sharper look. There are larger door mirrors for improved visibility, too. All 3 Series models have new steering wheel designs and new entertainment systems, while all Coupé and Convertible versions have Dakota Leather as standard. The entire range has subtly tweaked suspension, in the guise of new damper valves to improve ride comfort, but the most notable mechanical change is the updated range of engines. Performance upgrades There?s a reworked 2.0-litre diesel engine for the 320d, with power up from 174- to 181bhp and torque boosted by 22lb ft to 280lb ft. Fuel economy has improved by 1.2mpg, however, while CO2 emissions drop by 3g/km. There are similar changes to the lower-powered 318d version, while the six-cylinder 325d?s engine also has more power, but lower emissions. At the top end, the 335i?s 3.0-litre petrol engine is just as powerful as before, but the switch to a different turbocharger has boosted fuel economy by 2.6mpg and dropped CO2 emissions by 22g/km. More photos of the BMW 3 Series > Image 1: click for a larger view > Image 2: click for a larger view > Image 3: click for a larger view > Image 4: click for a larger view > Image 5: click for a larger view > Image 6: click for a larger view Cleaner technology When it comes to efficiency, nothing beats the new 320d Efficient Dynamics Saloon. Lowered suspension, special wheels and tyres and longer gearing help to drop CO2 emissions to just 109g/km and there?s a sophisticated flywheel that cuts down on vibration at low revs to help you drive as economically as possible. It?s available as a saloon, in SE trim, and BMW expects it to be a big seller. We can see why, because it?s smooth and frugal as the hype suggests. On test We tested both versions of the 320d and the 335i in Coupe and Convertible form. We?re not convinced that the new 335i engine is any better than the one it replaces and it was hard to discern any great difference in ride quality on the German roads we drove on. The improvements in efficiency make the 3 Series more appealing than ever, however, and it remains unsurpassed for driver appeal, refinement and interior quality. The best just got better. What Car? says: Updated 3 Series is better than ever.	Vauxhall UK production more assured Future production of Vauxhalls in the UK is more certain now that the Government has agreed to a £270 million loan guarantee. GM Europe, owners of Vauxhall, should find it easier to secure a loan of this size now that the Government will cover repayments if the company gets into difficulty. Business secretary Lord Mandelson said: 'I always said the Government would stand foursquare behind Vauxhall, and with this announcement we have kept our word.' Mandelson described Vauxhall's UK factories in Luton and Ellesmere Port ? where the new Astra will be built ? as 'excellent plants employing a first-rate workforce'. Final details and conditions of the guarantee remain to be finalised.	Good week, bad week: March 12 It's been a good week for driving with the top down, but a difficult seven days if your name is Andrew Humberstone. Audi R8 Spyder We've reviewed Audi's sensational new R8 Spyder and reckon it's as close to perfect as you're likely to get ? with its roof up or down. If you've got £111,995 to spare it's an excellent way to invest your cash. If not, well, there's always the lottery. Petrol or diesel? If your budget falls short of a new Audi R8 Spyder, we've introduced a new tool on whatcar.com to help you decide whether a petrol- or a diesel-powered car will be cheaper for you. Good times for the planet It's also a good week for average new car CO2 emissions, which have plummeted as motorists tighten their belts and choose more economical cars. The findings come in a new report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which reveals the scrappage scheme has also helped to slash emissions at their fastest-ever rate since records began. A sorry week for Surrey Things don't look so healthy in Surrey, which has the most potholes of any county, according to a survey by Kia. Surrey County Council rubbished the report, but not because it thinks it doesn't have a lot of holes ? instead, the council claims it has far more than Kia reckons. At least it's fixed 15,000 since the end of the cold snap. Alfa Romeo fails their customers Humble pie has been on the menu for Andrew Humberstone this week. He's the boss of Alfa Romeo in the UK and admitted that Alfa has failed to deliver the right products as well as decent levels of quality and service. Humberstone says the brand is 'at a crossroads', so let's hope it takes the right turning. The is the week that was, March 12, 2010 Here's a full round up of what else has been going on this week: Car buyers, we need you Petrol versus diesel ? which is cheaper? Beat the new 'showroom' tax Audi R8 Spyder: belt up and mike up Have you been stung by 'showroom' tax? Who has the biggest saving? Surrey tops pothole chart Visit What Car? for exclusive previews Alfa boss admits failings Fiat's new engines in F1 Ferrari Vauxhall Meriva exclusive preview Win 25 free driving lessons! Our stars of the Geneva motor show Dramatic cuts in UK CO2 emissions Ford Grand C-Max reviewed What's the future for Jaguar Land Rover? Toyota's hydrogen cars reach Europe Politicians plans for motorists New car reviews Audi R8 Spyder Jaguar XJ Updated car reviews Ford Galaxy Ford S-Max Used car reviews Audi A4 Cabriolet Citroen C5 Mazda 6 estate Toyota Auris New video Ford S-Max Renault Clio Toyota Yaris Get interactive with whatcar.com...
Alfa Romeo Mito Multiair: driven Fiat doesn't waste time on false modesty when talking about its new Multiair engines. 'This will become the standard for petrol engines,' it says. We're going to be seeing a lot of them, too. They're already in the Fiat Punto Evo, and now they're making their way into Alfa Romeo's supermini, the Mito. What is Multiair? Multiair is an electro-hydraulic form of variable valve operation that delivers exactly the right amount of air (and fuel) the engine needs at any given time. Think of your lungs ? you breathe more deeply when running or climbing stairs than when strolling into the kitchen. In the Mito There are two versions of the engine in the Mito ? both 1.4-litre turbocharged units. One develops 135bhp and is in Lusso and Veloce models, which have either a five-speed manual or six-speed twin-clutch semi-auto gearbox. The other, with 170bhp, is reserved exclusively for the Cloverleaf, which is available only with a six-speed manual. The Cloverleaf also gets variable damping control, operated through the DNA switch that allows you to change throttle and steering response in every Mito. Alfa says it has also worked on the suspension, manual gearshift quality and interior trim of the range. More photos of the Alfa Mito Multiair > Image 1: click for a larger view > Image 2: click for a larger view > Image 3: click for a larger view > Image 4: click for a larger view > Image 5: click for a larger view > Image 6: click for a larger view The good news is that those engine boffins aren't wrong: these are corkers ? torquey, refined and quiet unless you want them to be otherwise. Even then, the sounds are pleasingly raspy. To those qualities, the Cloverleaf adds some real fizz. Shame about the chassis If only the chassis was as good. The Lusso and Veloce neither ride nor steer with the authority expected of a semi-sporty 'mini. At times it's downright crashy, and the gearshift is still not good enough. So, you fear the worst from the Cloverleaf, which has even larger wheels. Actually, though, it's much better ? more precise and better damped, although there's still room for improvement. What Car? says Great engines, but there's still work to be done on the chassis Get interactive with whatcar.com...	Join our exclusive car previews What Car? has three exciting and exclusive previews of new cars coming up ? and you could be on the guest list. Preview the Nissan Juke From 4-6pm on Wednesday, March 17, we're inviting readers to get up close and personal with Nissan's new Juke ? a supermini-sized crossover that offers something different to the norm. Preview the Vauxhall Meriva The second preview is from 4-6pm on Monday, March 22, and is your chance to try out the clever doors and seating flexibility in the next-generation Vauxhall Meriva. Preview the Renault Wind Then on Friday, March 26 we are revealing Renault?s new baby roadster, the Wind ? the company's rival to the Mini Convertible and Peugeot 207 CC. This event will take place from 2.30-4.30pm. Free M&S vouchers and MP3 transmitter All the previews will take place at What Car??s HQ in Teddington, Middlesex, and every participant will take home £20 of M&S vouchers and a free Belkin MP3 FM Transmitter. There are six places available on each preview. Sign up now If you would like take part in any of these events, email us here readertestteam@haymarket.com by midnight this Sunday, March 14. Make sure you include the following information: • What car you currently drive; • Where you'll be travelling from on the day; • Your mobile number; • Which preview you want to attend, and why you want to see the car. We'll contact the successful entrants this Monday, March 15. Your comments and photographs will appear in future issues of What Car? magazine's Reader Test Team feature. You'll also be asked to speak on camera for footage to be broadcast on whatcar.com. Please note that you will not be able to drive the car ? this is a chance to give your views on its design, ergonomics and specification.	Car buyers - we need you! Have you or a friend bought a car recently? If so, we are looking for volunteers to come and speak to us about it. To take part in our focus group, you need to have bought a car in the past six months, have had a full choice of brands (and not been restricted to a car make because of a company car scheme) and not bought a car through the scrappage scheme. The focus group will take place at What Car?'s offices in Teddington, Middlesex from 7pm to 9pm on March 22. It is an informal event and tea, coffee and snacks will be served. To sign up, contact Julia Dear on 020 8267 5739 or e-mail her on Julia.Dear@haymarket.com
Petrol versus diesel ? which is cheaper? Working out whether a diesel- or a petrol-powered car will be cheaper to run over three years is a complicated business. To ensure you're making the most cost-effective decision you have to consider the higher purchase cost as well as resale values, fuel bills, servicing and insurance bills. Let the facts do the talking To help make the job a little easier, we've developed a tool to do the sums for you. Fill in the boxes and the calculator will tell you the most cost-effective option based on your individual circumstances. Download your petrol vs diesel calculator Download the petrol vs diesel calculator (pc version) Download the petrol vs diesel calculator (Mac version) Don't forget you can find all of the data you need by looking at the reviews of the cars you're considering. Compare the cars You can even run a comparison of two cars such as this. Get interactive with whatcar.com...	Buy now to beat new 'showroom' tax Save cash by purchasing your new car now, and beat the 'showroom' tax that's coming next month. From April 1, the new tax could add an extra £515 to your road tax bill. So, if you act quickly and buy a new car from stock you could get your vehicle before the 'showroom' tax is launched. What is the so-called 'showroom' tax? The new tax is a one-off first-year payment on top of the usual vehicle excise duty rate. The payment is based on your new car's CO2 emission and will add between £70 and £515 to your first road tax bill. The table below shows how the additional charges will be charged. Who will pay it? The new tax will be payable on all cars registered from April 1. 'Showroom' tax rates VED Rates in 2010-11 Band A (up to 100g/km CO2) no fee Band B (101-110g/km CO2) £20 Band C (111-120g/km CO2) £30 Band D (121-130g/km CO2) £90 Band E (131-140g/km CO2) £110 Band F (141- 150g/km CO2) £125 Band G (151 to 165g/km CO2) £155 Band H (166 to 175g/km CO2) £180 Band I (176 to 185g/km CO2) £200 Band J (186 to 200g/km CO2) £235 Band K (201 to 225g/km CO2) £245 Band L (226 to 255g/km CO2) £425 Band M (Over 255g/km CO2) £435 + First Year Rate + £0 + £0 + £0 + £0 + £0 + £0 + £0 +£70 +£100 +£190 +£305 +325 +£515 =Total First Year Cost £0 £20 £30 £90 £110 £125 £155 £250 £300 £425 £550 £750 £950 Budget date announced Gordon Brown has confirmed that the budget ? in which future increases in VED and fuel tax could well be announced ? will be on March 24. Budget live on whatcar.com We will be covering the budget live on whatcar.com, so remember to log on and give us your views as the news comes through. Political commentators predict that the general election will be held on May 6. You can read about the transport manifestos of the four parties, and comment on them, by clicking here. Get interactive with whatcar.com...	Audi R8 Spyder: belt up and mike up Audi's R8 Spyder will come with a world first for mobile phone users ? Bluetooth microphones incorporated into the car's seatbelts. The driver's and passenger's belt have three microphones, each smaller and flatter than shirt buttons, so that they don't interfere with the seatbelt mechanism. Quality signal whatever the user's height Audi says that when the seatbelt is worn one microphone is always located in the vicinity of the person's mouth, regardless of their height, so it gives the best possible speech reproduction even with the roof down. Software analyses the quality of the signals from the mikes and forwards the best signal to the hands-free unit. A fourth microphone, mounted on the windscreen frame, is used to make calls when the car is parked and the seatbelt is not on. We've driven the R8 Spyder and our first impressions of the technology are good. What Car? road test editor Peter Tullin said: 'It's a very neat trick and it seems to work very well.' Audi says there are no plans as yet for the technology to filter down into Audi's other drop tops, the Audi A5 Cabriolet, the Audi A3 Cabriolet and the Audi TT Roadster. Get interactive with whatcar.com...
Have you been stung by 'showroom' tax? Have you bought a higher-emitting 10-plate car and escaped the showroom tax that's coming in on April 1? Or are you in the process of buying a big car and expect to pay this one-off hike in VED? The Sunday Times would like to speak to you for a case study. Contact Alexandra Goss, Sunday Times Money section, 020 7782 5636/ alexandra.goss@sunday-times.co.uk to find out more. What is the showroom tax? Cars bought on or after April 1 will have to pay a one-off so-called 'showroom tax'. This VED (road tax) rate applies only to the first year of ownership. In the second year VED road tax rates will revert to the regular rate for that vehicle. First-year VED rates in 2010-11 Band A (up to 100g/km CO2) no fee Band B (101-110g/km CO2) no fee Band C (111-120g/km CO2) no fee Band D (121-130g/km CO2) no fee Band E (131-140g/km CO2) £110 Band F (141- 150g/km CO2) £125 Band G (151 to 165g/km CO2) £155 Band H (166 to 175g/km CO2) £250 Band I (176 to 185g/km CO2) £300 Band J (186 to 200g/km CO2) £425 Band K (201 to 225g/km CO2) £550 Band L (226 to 255g/km CO2) £750 Band M (Over 255g/km CO2) £950