Mazda MX-5 Named As ‘Best Roadster’

Mazda’s range of ‘Zoom-Zoom’ vehicles continue to impress automotive experts, with the iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster receiving critical acclaim from Auto Express and Carsite.co.uk.

Waters Mazda in Chingford is expecting to welcome a flurry of new and used car buyers to the dealership, looking to own the highly-regarded Mazda MX-5 after it was named ‘Best Roadster’ in the 2009 Auto Express Used Car Honours and ‘Best Used Car’ by online retailer Carsite.co.uk.

This is the fourth successive year the Mazda MX-5 has won the coveted Auto Express award, beating BMW and Porsche rivals for the top ranking.

“To have such high profile motoring experts, such as Auto Express and Carsite.co.uk, confirm that Mazda products are among the very best on the market really does reinforce the fact that Mazda is Britain’s favourite sports car brand, both on the new and used market,” enthused Steve Bullimore Dealer Principal at Waters Mazda on Lea Valley Road.

“The Mazda MX-5 is unrivalled as a rewarding sportscar that can also be used for everyday motoring all year round, with low running costs and high levels of specification – and the whole sportscar ownership experience is supported by Mazda’s legendary reliability and durability,” adds Bullimore.

The latest exterior, interior and technical upgrades to the 2009 Mazda MX-5 range ensure that the soft-top continues to offer the purest, fun-to-drive thrills, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe delivers an even more coupe-like, premium experience together with the same driving excitement. Both models are available at Waters Mazda and carry-over the key features which have made the Mazda MX-5 the world’s best-selling sportscar.

Commenting on the Mazda MX-5's victory, Auto Express stated: “The pretty roadster is the default choice for affordable wind-in-the-hair thrills thanks to its simple folding fabric hood, entertaining rear-wheel drive handling and incredibly attractive prices. The folding hard-top Roadster Coupe variant only serves to boost the car’s appeal, providing improved refinement and security. Prices start from £16,345, which makes the MX-5 something of a bargain.”

Praising the Mazda MX-5's achievement on the used car market, Carsite.co.uk commented: “The Mazda MX-5 deserves the top position thanks to strong reliability, value-for-money, residual performance and driveability. Its success in our poll only goes to further support the British love affair with the drop-top.”

Significantly upgraded for 2009, the 10-strong range of new Mazda MX-5 sportscars, available with either traditional soft-top or in Roadster Coupe form featuring a powered retractable hard top, have a fresh design that enhances their dynamic appeal and is harmonised with Mazda’s next-generation Mazda6, Mazda3 and Mazda2 line-up.

Prices for the Mazda MX-5 2009 soft-top range start from £16,345 on-the-road. The Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe range starts at £18,345 on-the-road and boasts the world’s fastest powered retractable hard top – up or top-down in just 12 seconds. Waters Mazda is currently offering 0 per cent APR* finance, with a minimum 50% deposit, or 3.9% APR** finance with no minimum deposit, on all upgraded models until 30 September 2009.

Waters AutoPlanet is inviting motorists to test-drive the multi-award-winning two-seater Mazda MX-5 Roadster in celebration of the sportscar’s 20th anniversary. Drivers are encouraged to visit the 1 Lea Valley Road showroom and experience the thrill of the iconic roadster for themselves.

“This year, the world’s most popular sportscar – the Mazda MX-5 – celebrates its 20th birthday,” explains Steve Bullimore. “The Mazda MX-5 was an instant hit with motorists in 1989 and two decades later remains unrivalled both as an exciting driver's car and an open-top roadster that can be used for everyday motoring all year round.”

First shown at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989, the original Mazda MX-5 triggered a rebirth of the two-seat roadster. Delivering the very essence of sportscar fun, the perfectly proportioned roadster was an instant sales success and has since earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s best-selling sportscar, with more than 850,000 models sold to date.

Earlier this year, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 arrived at 1 Lea Valley Road, boasting a fresh design and an enhanced chassis to improve the model’s legendary agility and controllability even further. The eight-strong range of upgraded Mazda MX-5 sportscars have all been fine-tuned to use less fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.

Steve Bullimore added: “The Mazda MX-5 is a joy to drive and own. Motorists in London and Hertfordshire looking for an engaging sportscar should visit our showroom to experience how the iconic roadster turns every journey into a special event.”

To find out more about the Mazda MX-5 range or to arrange a test-drive, please call Waters Mazda on 0845 871 7101, e-mail us or visit the showroom at Lea Valley Road, Chingford.

Peugeot Launches New Restyled 207 With Even Greater

• New Peugeot 207 Range to be launched in August


• Twelve different power-plants


• Revised exterior and interior styling


• New standard equipment


• Low CO2 emissions

With three body shapes, hatchback, SW and CC, and twelve different power-plant options, the new 207 will further strengthen the 207’s position as Europe’s top selling small car, a position it has held for the last two consecutive years, 2007 and 2008.

In the UK the 207 is also a big success with over 167,000 vehicles sold since its introduction in June 2006.

The 207 has a deserved reputation for great style, and in August it becomes even more visually appealing due to the introduction of a number of new styling features:

Exterior Styling Changes:

• A redesigned front which combines the car’s natural dynamism with a softer visual look


• Increased use of exterior body colouring and chrome detailing


• Spectacular new rear lights which use panels of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the hatchback and CC models

A more luxurious Passenger Compartment with:

• New trims and detailing which place the emphasis on perceived quality,comfort and dynamism


• New instrument panel designs with a more modern look and visual appeal

As well as a host of styling changes, the new 207 also benefits from the expertise of Peugeot’s engineers to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions on each new model the marque introduces.

The new 207 benefits from:

• Particularly fuel efficient engines with reduced greenhouse gas emissions


• “Very low fuel consumption” optimised not only aerodynamically but also by operation of the engine itself and the rolling resistance of the vehicle, allowing CO2 emissions to be reduced to 99 g/km


• The gradual introduction of engines meeting the Euro5 emission standard


• Introduction of a gear change indicator on manual gearbox models to encourage the driver to drive in a more environmentally efficient way.

The introduction of the new 207 will also see a range of new standard equipment fitted to the vehicles to enhance both the comfort of all users, the driving experience and the safety capabilities of the vehicle.

• Peugeot Connect USB with Bluetooth, in-car entertainment system


• One-touch direction indicator function for safe lane changes


• Remote controlled window closure, via the plip unit on hatchback and SW models


• One-touch operation of the driver's electric window on the 207 CC

With these developments the 207 family of vehicles further affirms its distinctive appeal in each of its available body shapes:

The 207 hatchback, three or five doors: Elegant and user-friendly, dynamic and sporty, it offers a unique blend of comfort and driveability as well as remarkable versatility….

The 207 SW and SW Outdoor: An attractively styled vehicle, a bright interior and remarkable practicality: all major benefits with, for the Outdoor version, an added taste of adventure…

The 207 CC: Europe’s top selling cabriolet, offering attractive styling with the dynamism and safety that are the foundation of its appeal.

To find out more about any of the Peugeot range call in to either of our Chingford or Hatfield showrooms, e-mail us or call us at Chingford on 0845 871 5107 or Hatfield on 0845 871 5104.

Jump Into A New Spacious Kangoo At Waters AutoPlanet

Never having enough room in your car for everyone and everything you need is something many of us are all too familiar with. Well, put an end to jam-packed car journeys by jumping into Renault’s spacious New Kangoo car which is available to test now at Waters Renault.

New Kangoo is taller, wider and longer than its predecessor offering unprecedented comfort for the whole family as well as their belongings.

Built on the same platform as Renault's New Scenic, its spacious design allows five adults to enjoy the ride in comfort, with those in the back benefiting from much greater leg and elbow room. The rear bench also provides three full seat spaces, with best-in-class legroom putting an end to those arguments about who has to sit behind dad!

New Kangoo isn’t just roomy though with its redesigned cabin offering a bright and airy interior with a new-look MPV-style dashboard, plus new trim and upholstery materials throughout.

Even the entry-level model offers a wealth of equipment to make those long journeys fly by including a 30W audio system with fingertip controls and 12V power outlet in the centre console. The Expression model adds stylish body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors, electric/folding door mirrors and front fog lights.

With everyone safely inside, New Kangoo still has plenty of room to transport anything from pets to leisure equipment to all those summer holiday essentials. Light work is made of bulky items such as bicycles thanks to the rear seat which folds down in one simple movement to give a completely flat load space.

Indeed, the ingenious ‘Flat Floor’ system allows the rear seat base to slide forward into the footwell and the rear seat back to fold down in its place. When combined with the folding front passenger seat, it gives an even more versatile and cavernous load space of 2,866 litres – perfect for transporting even the kitchen sink!

Even the innovative roof bars that convert into a luggage rack, without the need of any tools, can carry up to 80kg ensuring nothing need be left behind.

In the cabin, no opportunity has been wasted to provide clever storage solutions. Depending on the model, these include a capacious front overhead shelf, three aviation-style lockers for the rear seat passengers, underfloor storage, large door bins, map pockets and numerous other cubby holes that have a combined capacity of 77 litres.

And even with New Kangoo loaded up, its range of five engines, including the flagship 1.5 dCi 106 with six-speed gearbox for the first time, will ensure a responsive drive together with the impressive ride and handling.

Shaun Egan, Dealer Principal said: “New Kangoo is so versatile that it’s perfect for everyone from families who need plenty of space to older couples who appreciate the higher driving position – and all from just £11,200.”

To find out more about New Kangoo or any of the Renault range, call in at any of our branches, e-mail us or call us at Letchworth on 0845 871 5108, Southampton on 0845 871 7045 or St Albans on 0845 871 5109.

New Look For Renault Clio Range At Waters AutoPlanet

Ever since it was launched in 2005 by Ben and Sophie of the much loved “French Car, British Designers” advertising campaign, Renault’s New Clio has received many plaudits including “European Car of the Year 2006.”

Now, the Clio 2009 has been updated with a new look which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show for both its hatch and Sport Tourer versions.

The Clio 2009 range will be complemented by three performance versions: Clio GT, based on the three-door hatchback, combining racy looks, specific suspension and high performance; Renaultsport 200 Cup with the stiffer Cup chassis, and Renaultsport 200, with revised sport chassis for customers looking for a comfortable and extensively equipped performance hatchback.
Not only does the facelift give Clio the same purposeful looks as the New Laguna and New Mégane, the range of engines and transmissions has been improved, and interior space has been enhanced too.

The Clio also comes with an exclusive Carminat TomTom® satellite navigation system which is an option at £450. From launch, the TomTom Edition version with Carminat TomTom® and cruise control for just £360 will also be available. The easy-to-use Carminat TomTom® is the first fully-integrated GPS navigation system to market at this price and includes a 5.8-inch (14.7cm) colour screen for clear display.

Drivers will find everything they need for simple navigation, from detailed maps - including 'bird’s eye view' display to the latest traffic information, speed restrictions and speed camera location alerts.

Renault has worked hard to ensure that the versions of Clio 2009 powered by the 1.2 16V 75, TCe 100 and dCi 86 and 106 engines meet the three criteria necessary to qualify for the Renault eco² signature; they are produced in an ISO-14001-certified plant, emissions do not exceed 140g/km, or are biofuel compatible, and are 95% recyclable and at least 5% of plastics used in production have been recycled.

As well as being ecological, Renault is renowned for cars with a raft of equipment. Options on the Clio 2009 range include hands-free card, cruise control, speed limiter, rear parking proximity sensor, automatic headlamp and wiper activation.

Renault is also well-known for its commitment to safety and the Clio has features including ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, ESP, traction control and engine torque overrun regulation to help with active safety. The previous version of the Clio was awarded the maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating when it was launched and the new version is built on the same platform.

Shaun Egan, Dealer Principal said: “Renault is unbeatable when it comes to producing small cars. Thanks to its comfort, practicality and reliability, New Clio has been extremely popular among drivers.

“The Clio is a joy to drive; it’s affordable, roomy and stylish and we’re thrilled that this ever-popular supermini has been given a facelift. The build quality is even better, the design is fantastic and it’s as at home on the motorway as it is about town.”

To test drive any of the New Clio family with the three-door range starting from £9,995, or any of the Renault range, call in at any of our branches, e-mail us or call us at Letchworth on 0845 871 5108, Southampton on 0845 871 7045 or St Albans on 0845 871 5109.