Waters AutoPlanet Give Motorists A Taste Of Things To Come

· Electric POP concept to headline Kia’s Paris Motor Show stand

· Kia’s commitment to sustainable transport in special ‘green zone’

· Kia’s EcoDynamics models to cut CO2 to as low as 94 g/km

“Kia’s future is extremely exciting,” explains Brett Kavanagh, Marketing Manager, Waters AutoPlanet. “The line up for the Paris Motor Show gives Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells residents just a taster of what’s to come at our dealership. We know that customers are concerned about their environmental impact but there is limited choice in the motoring industry for anyone to make real impact while owning a car that is stylish, practical and good value. We’re delighted that we’ll be able to offer such green credentials with Kia.”

Kia’s 2010 Paris Motor Show stand will major on striking design and new technologies. Taking centre stage and making its world premiere will be the eye-catching, compact and unique electric POP concept, designed by Kia’s European design team under the direction of Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer, and Gregory Guillaume, Kia Europe’s Chief Designer.

“A concept car like the POP could only have come from us,” explains Gregory Guillaume. “Designers very rarely have the opportunity to start from a clean sheet of paper and it’s great to be in a position to operate with such freedom.”

To showcase its EcoDynamics range of fuel-saving vehicles, Kia Motors is displaying three new ‘ultra-low’ CO2 models in its ‘Green Zone’ at the Paris Motor Show. The innovative trio, Eco cee’d, Eco Venga and Sportage (Mild Hybrid), have significantly reduced CO2 emissions – down to just 94, 114 and 117 g/km respectively.

The Eco cee’d five-door hatchback is a concept car powered by a modified version of Kia’s ‘U2’ family 1.4-litre diesel engine. Cleaner, quieter and more fuel-efficient, this engine generates 90 ps at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 240 Nm is available from just 1,900 rpm, for excellent driveability.

The car also features Kia’s fuel-stretching ISG Start/Stop system – which automatically switches off and then restarts the engine in congested city driving – optimised gear ratios and a large underbody panel beneath the 4.26-metre long car’s to smooth its aerodynamics. Its CO2 rating is 94 g/km.

Intended for production later this year, the new Eco Venga is also equipped with Kia’s 1.4-litre, 75 ps diesel engine, plus many of the technologies from the Eco cee’d concept. In addition, low-friction engine oil, special low-torque taper roller bearings in the transmission and low-rolling resistance, high pressure tyres help to reduce CO2 emissions to 114 g/km.

Kia’s second eco concept car for Paris is the Sportage Mild Hybrid. Based on the all-new Sportage compact SUV now on sale across Europe, this model is powered by the new, larger 1.7-litre version of the U2 diesel. Small changes cut aerodynamic drag, brake drag and tyre resistance so the SUV’s CO2 rating is a modest 117 g/km.

For more information Waters Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7014 for Chingford or 0845 871 5085 for St Albans and AutoPlanet Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7134 for Tunbridge Wells.

New Kia Optima Makes Its European Debut At Paris

The striking new Kia Optima is making its European debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The bold and dynamically-styled D-segment saloon made its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show in April this year and will be on its way to Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells residents through Waters Kia and AutoPlanet Kia late next year.

Commenting on its anticipated arrival, Brett Kavanagh, Marketing Manager, Waters AutoPlanet

said: “We’re very excited about the Kia Optima. It goes on sale in Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells in late 2011, so we’re expecting it to significantly grow our market share in the D-segment. Having such an inspiring car in this category will be great for locals that haven’t considered Kia yet, but want a striking saloon that ticks all the boxes.”

Kia Optima is an all-new car from the ground up. Longer, lower, wider and with a longer wheelbase than any previous D-segment offering from Kia, it embodies what Kia’s Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer calls “a bold, athletic and visual sporting energy”.

The Kia Optima’s specification will be tailored to European tastes, with buyers offered a choice of either petrol or diesel engines – both with performance and economy figures among the very best in class.

The engine line-up will comprise either a new highly-efficient ‘U2’ 1.7-litre VGT diesel engine which produces 136 ps* and promises best-in-class emissions (113 g/km* when fitted with Kia’s fuel-stretching ISG Start/Stop system) or an all-new technically-advanced ‘Nu’ 2.0-litre CVVL (continuously variable valve lift) gasoline engine producing 170 ps*.

“With the new Kia Optima, our global design team has penned a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions that stands apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new mid-size platform and an all-new bodyshell, it moves our saloon product up to the next level of our design revolution,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing, Kia Motors Europe.

“In spite of the ongoing global economic uncertainties, Kia’s market research indicates that demand for D-segment saloons in many countries will grow steadily over the next three years. We anticipate segment sales rising by 23% from 4.3 million last year to 5.3 million in 2013,” concludes Oeyen.

As with all Kia models sold at Waters Kia and AutoPlanet Kia, the Kia Optima will be offered to Chingford, St Albans and Tunbridge Wells residents with the manufacturer’s unique 7-Year / 100,000 mile warranty, which is fully transferrable to subsequent owners.

For more information Waters Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7014 for Chingford or 0845 871 5085 for St Albans and AutoPlanet Kia can be contacted on 0845 871 7134 for Tunbridge Wells.

Last Chance To Buy A Mazda RX-8 Motoring Legend

While continuing to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the world’s best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5, Waters Mazda, is saying ‘goodbye’ this autumn to a very different, although equally iconic sportscar in its model line-up – the rotary-engined, four-seater Mazda RX-8.

“British motorists love sportscars and engineering excellence,” said Steve Bullimore, dealer principal at Waters Mazda. “So it is no wonder that over the last seven years the RX-8 has been close to their hearts. More than 26,000 enthusiastic drivers have purchased an RX-8 in the UK, won over by its truly exhilarating drive, fascinating super-smooth rotary engine and many unique features, combined with everyday reliability and practicality.

“Production in Hiroshima of right hand drive Mazda RX-8 for the UK market has now ended and there are fewer than 100 examples remaining in stock. Over the next couple of months drivers will be presented with a rare opportunity to acquire one of the very last RX-8s available in the UK. Its immense driver appeal, the world’s only rotary-powered production car is still a head-turner, with tremendous road presence and styling that still looks fresh. A few lucky customers are going to play a part in the grand finale of this motoring legend,” adds Bullimore.

The 2010 embodiment of Mazda’s unique sports coupe, the Mazda RX-8 R3, is remarkably impressive for a host of reasons, including its freestyle doors that ensure easy access and also make it a ‘use-me-every-day’ kind of car.

Powered by an improved version of the unique 231ps twin-rotor engine, the latest car delivers a heightened experience with faster steering, chassis and engine responses, more refinement, more equipment and even greater value. It continues to feature the front-midship engine, rear-wheel drive configuration of the original, delivering an ideal 50/50 weight distribution for fantastic handling characteristics.

“Mazda RX-8 R3 is the ultimate expression of Mazda’s DNA, demonstrating our brand’s determination to do things differently. The RX-8 has won 37 major international awards and the R3 version delivers an even more focused and sporty driving experience, while retaining the original model’s many unique technical innovations and adding premium features,” concludes Bullimore.

The Mazda RX-8 R3 is priced at £25,540 (on-the-road) and represents incredibly good value for a 231ps sportscar with the ability to reach 62mph in just 6.4 seconds.

The uniquely high-revving (up to 9,000rpm) RENESIS engine of the Mazda RX-8 R3 is evolved to deliver sharper responses. Maximum power is 231ps at 8200rpm and the six-speed manual gearbox has a lower final drive ratio for a sharper getaway from standstill and improved performance feel.

The interior of the RX-8 R3 features new Recaro sports seats in the front, a new-style steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth® connectivity and cruise control. Buyers will also enjoy the new BOSE® premium audio system with an eight-channel amplifier, 6-CD autochanger, nine speakers and an auxiliary (AUX) input jack for connecting an MP3 player.

To arrange a test drive of the Mazda RX-8 or to find out more about the Mazda range call in to either of our Barnet or Chingford showrooms , or call us on 0845 871 5253 for Barnet or 0845 871 7101 for Chingford.