BMW X3 on Apple iPad.

Kent BMW News
News from the Broad Oak BMW Dealerships of Ashford and Canterbury.

The new BMW X3 on the Apple iPad.
For the first time, BMW is offering comprehensive product literature as an iPad application.

The application containing all the product information on the new BMW X3 has been available in the App Store since the beginning of December 2010, offering the chance to experience the vehicle via iPad.

The application combines the advantages of the classic product catalogue, the website and the interactive possibilities of the iPad.

The BMW X3 App not only provides plenty of information and video material, but also gives users the chance to configure their ideal vehicle individually and to order product literature by operating the touchscreen. The highlights of the application also include an interactive 360° view.
Customers can also contact BMW directly using an integrated form if they wish to arrange test drives.

Using the iPad's direct links to social media channels such as Facebook, users can post information about the vehicle on their own wall or send their ideal vehicle to friends.

With this application, BMW is examining, for the first time, the possibilities that the iPad offers in terms of sales promotion measures and creating a platform for the communication of further vehicle and product literature.

The iPad application is available free of charge at http://itunes.apple.com/app/bmw-x3/id404814453.
Further information can be found at www.bmw.com/X3App.


The BMW Magazine on the iPad

The BMW Magazine is already available as an iPad application. This opens up a comprehensive multimedia brand experience to readers, above and beyond the printed version. Photo series, videos and sound files integrated into the layout along with a Find the Pair game offer clear added value over the print magazine. The editorial highlight of the second BMW Magazine iPad App is the Art Car designed by Jeff Koons, which takes on completely new interactive dimensions on the iPad. The artist's design has been processed for the App in such a way that the reader can use the touchscreen to paint the BMW – which is initially a pristine white – in Koons' brightly coloured style.

Broad Oak Ashford BMW
01233 500555
Twitter: @AshfordBMW

Broad Oak Canterbury BMW
01227 828888
Twitter: @CanterburyBMW

www.kentbmw.co.uk 

The Broad Oak BMW Group are part of BarrettsKent.co.uk 

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Rally Car of the Year.

Barretts Citroen News: News from the Citroen Dealer in Canterbury, Kent.


Rally Car of the Year: Citroen C4

The Citroen C4 WRC has been named as the Rally Car of the Year at the AUTOSPORT Awards.
The French car, which took Sebastien Loeb to the World Rally Championship, beat off competition from the Skoda Fabia S2000 and the Volkswagen Race Touareg plus others to win the award for a third consecutive year.

1984 world rally champion Stig Blomqvist was unable to present the award to Citroen team manager Sven Smeets as the whole Citroen team was stranded in Paris.

The year began with a shock result as it was not a C4, but Mikko Hirvonen's Ford Focus that took victory on the Swedish Rally, but Loeb soon established his superiority by winning the next three rallies in Mexico, Jordan and Turkey.

Loeb went on to win eight rallies during the season while the emergence of his French compatriot Sebastien Ogier - initially in the Citroen Junior Team - brought the C4's total number of wins in 2010 to 10.

Four of the top five finishers in this year's championship were behind the wheel of Citroens with Loeb taking his seventh consecutive crown by over 100 points.

Petter Solberg, Ogier and Dani Sordo finished third, fourth and fifth while the car locked out the podium on seven of the 13 rounds.

Loeb gave the C4, which will be replaced by the new DS3 model next year, a fitting send-off with victory on the final event of the year in Britain.

Read the full Autosport article from Jamie O'Leary here>

You can keep up with news, stories and events at Barretts Citroen by following us on Twitter:
BarrettsCitroen: @BarrettsCitroen

Barretts Citroen of Canterbury – Tel: 0845 164 9778

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Top Gear 'Car of the Year'.

Barretts Citroen News: News from the Citroen Dealer in Canterbury, Kent.


DS3 Crowned Top Gear Magazine 'Car of the Year' 2010.

And the Top Gear Car of the Year is... the Citroen DS3. The Awards issue of Britain's best-selling car magazine hits the newsstands today, with Citroen claiming top spot for the first time in the contest's 11-year history.

The DS3 fended off competition from a dozen of the most desirable cars of the last 12 months.

TG's most spectacular Awards issue ever was shot on location in China, against a backdrop of the Forbidden City, downtown Beijing and the Great Wall. The 12 category winners include nominations from Jeremy, James and Richard.

"Editing 2010's cars down to just 12 worthy winners was tough enough,"says Charlie Turner, Top Gear's Editor-in-Chief. "Getting them to China was even tougher. But I'm delighted with the results, and especially delighted to be crowning the DS3 our car of the year."


Read more about it here>>




Barretts Citroen of Canterbury – Tel: 0845 164 9778

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Evoque Five-Door Details.

News from the Land Rover and Range Rover Dealerships in Ashford and Canterbury, Kent.


INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE FIVE-DOOR

Register your interest in the Range Rover Evoque by clicking here>>

•Addition of five-door bodystyle to Range Rover Evoque line-up
•Combines concept car design with extra versatility
•Permanent all-wheel-drive with turbocharged four-cylinder engine and updated six-speed auto transmission
•All-new 240bhp* 2.0-liter Si4 turbocharged engine
•Premium cabin, with the enhanced space and flexibility of the five-door format
•Dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain, aided by Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™
•All-weather, multi-terrain capability with Land Rover Terrain Response®
•Innovative Range Rover technologies, including 8-inch (203mm) touch-screen and Surround Camera System
•Sold in 160 countries worldwide, with North American deliveries from Fall 2011
•Indicative pricing starting from around $45,000

Land Rover, Gaydon, Warwickshire, November 17, 2010 – The exciting five-door version of the all-new Range Rover Evoque made its global public debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17, 2010.

With its stylish and sporting appearance, enhanced by extra versatility, the Range Rover Evoque five-door joins the stunning coupe model to create a highly desirable line-up that will define the premium compact SUV segment.

“The addition of the five-door to the Range Rover Evoque line-up extends the appeal of our brand still further,” said Land Rover’s Managing Director Phil Popham. “While retaining everything that’s great about the Range Rover Evoque coupe, this new five-door bodystyle will offer customers even more choice, greater versatility and flexibility. The launch of the Evoque in 2011 will expand and revitalize the global appeal of the Range Rover marque."

The Range Rover Evoque five-door reinforces Land Rover’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The Evoque is positioned as the smallest, lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever. It features lightweight construction techniques and a new state-of-the-art petrol engine that comes with direct injection.

This five-door version offers an exciting new interpretation of the LRX concept car design, combining the dramatic stance and dynamic appeal of the original cross-coupe with the enhanced functionality offered by a five-door format.

“The Range Rover Evoque five-door has the same strong emotional appeal as the coupe, while offering superior versatility,” said Land Rover Design Director, Gerry McGovern. “The key lines remain intact – the dramatic rising beltline, muscular shoulder running the length of the car, and the distinctive taper to the floating roofline – but with a slightly higher rear roof. The finished vehicle offers impressive levels of space and flexibility whilst retaining the overall essence, visual robustness and jewel-like detailing of the coupe.”

Measuring 1.18 inches (30mm) taller than the coupe model, the Range Rover Evoque five-door adds further space and versatility to the luxurious cabin. Rear seat passengers benefit from over 1.97 inches (50mm) more shoulder room, along with generous headroom, which compares very favourably to traditional sporting saloons. When required, luggage capacity can be expanded to a substantial 51 cubic ft (1445 liters).

A full-sized glass panoramic roof enhances the sensation of space and comfort by filling the interior with natural light, and offers even greater headroom for all occupants.

On the open road, the Range Rover Evoque five-door offers a polished driving experience that combines dynamic and sporty handling with responsive, effortless performance and refinement.

“The Range Rover Evoque five-door has the same sporting character as the coupe,” said Murray Dietsch, Director of Land Rover Programs. “We have focused on ensuring that the car is agile and fun to drive, so that customers have a rewarding experience, even in day-to-day urban driving. Advanced technologies such as MagneRide mean we can ensure that this dynamic prowess does not come at the cost of top-quality refinement or comfort.”

The available Adaptive Dynamics system with advanced MagneRide™ dampers provides an exceptional balance between a supple, controlled ride and sharper handling responses. Drivers who take their Range Rover Evoque off-road will be reassured to know that, in addition to generous ground clearance, the car has agressive breakover and departure angles.

The Range Rover Evoque five-door shares its turbocharged powertrain with the coupe model. The state-of-the-art petrol engine offers smooth and responsive power, delivering 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds*, blending four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder performance.

The new 240bhp*, 2.0-liter Si4 petrol engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing for exceptional driveability and excellent fuel efficiency,

The Evoque is the first Range Rover to offer breathtaking new sound systems developed in partnership with the high-end audio specialist Meridian. The premium Meridian offering is an 825W, 17-speaker system that delivers the ultimate in surround-sound performance.

Other features available to Range Rover Evoque customers include:

•Surround Camera System with five digital cameras, including a reversing system
•Hard drive navigation system
•Sirius® tuners and HD Digital Radio tuners in addition to AM/FM
•Rear seat entertainment package, with 8-inch (203mm) video screens, digital wireless headphones and touch screen remote control
•Passive keyless entry system
•Powered tailgate
•Xenon adaptive headlamps with auto headlamp dipping
•Heated windscreen, front seats and steering wheel

The Range Rover Evoque five-door follows the coupe model by offering customers the choice of three main vehicle design themes, each with its own distinctive character, exterior treatment and carefully co-ordinated interior package.

Both coupe and five-door models of the Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured at Land Rover’s multi award-winning Halewood plant in Merseyside, UK. The car will go on sale in more than 160 markets worldwide, with North American deliveries from Fall 2011. Indicative pricing starts around $45,000.

To view footage of the LA press conference click here

* Data based on manufacturer's estimates. Actual may vary.

Barretts of Ashford – Tel: 0845 164 9784
Barretts of Canterbury – Tel: 0845 164 9783

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Jay Leno C-X75.

News from Barretts Jaguar of Ashford and Canterbury in Kent.


JAY LENO REVIEWS THE JAGUAR C-X75 CONCEPT

No spotlights. No evocative music. No video walls playing carefully crafted videos. Unlike its world premiere on the stage at the Paris Motor Show, the first time Jaguar’s celebratory (75 years of heritage) and celebrated (the media and public reaction has been stupendous) C-X75 set foot on the open road was a more gritty and real experience.

It might in Hollywood, but edgy North Hollywood, not the Walk of Fame or the Sunset Strip, where Tinseltown’s favourite petrolhead Jay Leno became the first person outside Jaguar to drive the C-X75 on a public highway.

“I have compromising pictures of (Jaguar Design Director) Ian Callum. That’s why I am being allowed to drive it first,” joked the highest rating TV chat show host in America, pacing about the Jaguar like the big cat of the same name.

The real reason? Leno loves cars partly because of Jaguar. Leno’s obsession with cars was born when, as a 9 year old, he saw a neighbour in Massachusetts polishing an XX120. His passion for cars was ignited on that hot summer’s day. That was just over 50 years ago. Now Leno’s garage houses hundreds of cars and motorbikes, including a Jaguar XK120, XK140, an E-Type (XKE in the US) and a new XJ (ordered after launching the car in London last year).

As he was allowed to peruse the gleaming XK at his childhood home near Boston, 3000 miles away in England, Jaguar’s design team creating the E-Type were finishing off the iconic shape that sealed Jaguar’s place in the dictionary of cool forever. Now, almost half a century on, Leno thinks Jag have hit gold again.

“Jaguar really surprised everybody when they showed up with this car at Paris, but that’s what Jags do. They tend to show up and surprise everyone. The XKE in 1961, the XK120 in 1948 and this one in 2010. That’s part of the Jag tradition. You turn up with something cool, surprise everyone…then hopefully build it.”

The inspiration for the C-X75 comes from the same decade as the E-Type. In the 60’s, Jaguar made the XJ13 race car to take on the Ferraris and GT40’s at Le Mans. But only one of the V12 machines was ever made.

By coincidence, when Leno was in the UK in 2009 to launch the XJ, he picked the XJ13 from a cavalcade of Jags to have a test drive at Gaydon, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

“The minute I saw the C-X75 and Ian said it was his inspiration, I could see the link,” said Leno.

Callum and his one-off creation were in LA for the auto show. And to test the reaction of potential customers in the world’s entertainment capital.

“The C-X75 is called that because it celebrates 75 years of Jaguar heritage and shows our thinking for the future,” said Callum, walking Leno around the car. “It also shows the kind of forward thinking talent we have at Jaguar.”

Leno caresses and touches the bodywork as he circumnavigates the C-X75. Like all Jaguars he sees the mix of femininity and muscular masculinity.

“My XK120, when I park it on the street, there will be women around when I come back. What kind of car is that? Then they ask me questions. They think it is fantastic,” Leno tells Callum. The pair have met many times. The bond of petrolheads is strong.

Leno’s view on Callum’s styling? “The nice thing, despite being so cutting edge, is it still looks like a Jag. It’s got certain key features like the detail on the buttress behind the driver’s head that is reminiscent of the new XJ. The back end is especially sexy and has hints of E Type and even the D Type.”

It’s clear Leno is keen to get behind the wheel. When the car is made. If the car is made, it will be powered by twin turbines charging four electric motors. The hybrid power plant is one thing that caught the press’ attention in Paris.

This concept car is battery powered. It is amazing that it drives at all but Leno thinks that and the ready-to-make look of the design are positive signs for its future. He climbs aboard.

The street near his garage has a man at each end to avoid a priceless prang. Otherwise this is a public thoroughfare. Jay emits a big grin from inside the cabin, which he likes for being spacious , having a liberal use of brushed aluminium and mixing modern with hints of history.

A touch on the accelerator and the world’s only C-X75 pulls away silently. Callum smiles, maybe out of nervousness, but certainly out of pride. His baby is now in the hands of the world’s best known gearhead. What Leno thinks has global resonance.

Jay takes the Jag up the street and back. It can easily manage the urban speed limit but the car’s starring role in LA means treating it with kid gloves. It’s a short test but an important one. As he returns, the familiar Jaguar nose straddling the centre line, and Leno’s famous face behind the polished aluminium steering wheel, Callum waits at the roadside.

The look on his face says ‘Well..?’ as Leno opens the gaping doors.

“There is no point talking handling and performance. It is just a thrill to even feel it move,” beams the comedian. “It’s such an important car for Jaguar. The design, the propulsion, the statement it makes about the company’s take on the future. It is just aching to be built. I hope. I really hope they do make it. It’s beautiful. And Jaguar’s are beautiful.”

To view video footage click here

To be kept up to date with news, events or offers you can now follow us on Twitter: @KentJaguar

For more information on new or used Jaguar Cars please visit or call:

Barretts Jaguar Canterbury
The Westgate
CANTERBURY
Kent
CT1 2BL
0845 164 9785

Barretts Jaguar Ashford
The Parade
Orbital Park
ASHFORD
Kent
TN24 0HT
0845 164 9786

View the South East's largest and best selection of Approved Used Jaguar Cars here>>>

Barretts Jaguar of Canterbury and Ashford are part of the Barretts Kent Motor Group.
www.barrettskent.co.uk  

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Honda Jazz Refresh.

News from Barretts Honda in Kent.

HONDA JAZZ REFRESH MAKES POPULAR SUPERMINI EVEN BETTER.

Prices announced for new 2011 range - including Hybrid model

- New, fresh face
- CVT gearbox is back
- Suspension improvements refine ride and improve handling
- Addition of leather upholstery 
- Improvement in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption
- Prices start from £11,295 OTR for the Jazz 1.2 S model
- Prices for the Jazz Hybrid start from £15,995 OTR for the HE trim level

The popular Honda Jazz has been given a refresh, with a range of enhancements to both looks and driving dynamics. The revised Jazz range, which will include a hybrid model, goes on sale in the UK on 1 February 2011, with prices starting from £11,295 for the 1.2 S model and £15,995 for the Hybrid variant in HE trim.

The challenge for Honda’s engineers was to freshen and improve the car without compromising on the characteristics that make the Jazz so popular. But by enhancing the car’s strongest qualities, Honda has taken the Jazz on to the next stage, producing a car with greater flexibility, better looks, increased ride comfort and improved eco credentials.

While the revised car is just as cleverly packaged, fresh styling gives the Jazz a new appearance. New front and rear bumpers are the main parts to have influenced the look of the car. These have also been designed to reduce drag as the airflow passes over the Jazz’s body and to avoid turbulence when the airflow detaches from the rear. These styling improvements aid aerodynamic efficiency on all Jazz models helping the Cd figure to fall from 0.336 to 0.330.

Welcome back CVT
Constantly variable transmission, more commonly known as ‘CVT’, first appeared in the previous Jazz range and due to overwhelming customer demand Honda has brought it back along with a few clever improvements.

The CVT is an automatic transmission that keeps the engine in a rev range where the car is most efficient. As well as ensuring the whole power train of the Jazz is more efficient, it also offers the driver a smooth and effortless journey.

The CVT transmission is a standard feature on the Hybrid while it is available as an option on 1.4 litre petrol models, where, thanks to the improvements, it now matches the economy and emissions of the outgoing Jazz i-SHIFT, with a CO2 value starting at just 125g/km.

High specification and flexible cabin
Leather upholstery makes a very welcome appearance for the first time in the Jazz range. Along with the addition of chrome rings defining the air vents, instruments and climate controls across the dashboard, the leather trim gives a whole new premium feeling to the interior of the car and is an important option for customers downsizing from larger vehicles from other sectors. Leather seats are standard on the Jazz Hybrid in HX trim and available as a £1,250 option on the 1.4-litre petrol EX model.

Another change across the range is a new darker dashboard material which contrasts strongly with the orange and blue back lighting of the dials, gauges and displays across the dashboard. The orange backlighting colour is unique to the petrol powered variants, while the Hybrid version uses the blue lighting to differentiate the model from the rest of the range.  

The Magic Seats, famed for their flexibility and multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations – are now even better with the addition of a reclining rear seat. The rear seats can now recline 73mms to increase rear passenger comfort.

Engine range expands with the introduction of hybrid technology
The established 1.2-litre and best-selling 1.4-litre i-VTEC petrol engines remain in the Jazz range and to compliment the launch of the Hybrid variant, these two petrol engines have benefited from some small reductions in CO2 values and improved fuel economy. The 1.4-litre manual variant with manual transmission has emissions starting at 126 g/km down from 128 g/km and uses 51.4mpg on the combined cycle. The fuel sipping 1.2 litre engine uses 53.3mpg and also drops two grams of CO2 to 123g/km. 

The Jazz Hybrid is an ultra-efficient car with a combined fuel consumption figure of 62.8 mpg – and with the same super-smooth electric system as the Insight, even more fuel is saved around town. While a CO2 output of just 104g/km makes the Jazz Hybrid the lowest of any automatic car in the B-segment.

Improved ride comfort and handling
The suspension on the 2011 Jazz features revised settings to increase ride comfort and improve handling. Already well respected for its lightness and manoeuvrability around town, the Jazz benefits from improvements to steering feel at higher speeds. Thanks to this continuous improvement the revised model has a much firmer, positive steering feel as speeds increase to inspire a confident driving experience.

All Jazz models, including the Hybrid version, share new sleek, projector style headlights adding to the sportier look. There are four new colours available across the petrol range – Azure Blue, Polished Metal, Urban Titanium and Ionized Bronze. The Hybrid version also benefits from Azure Blue plus two new colours – a vibrant Lime Green Metallic and Taffeta White.  

Make sure that you don't miss out on the news, offers and events at Barretts Honda Canterbury by following our Twitter page: BarrettsHonda

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SEAT teams up with Fulham FC

Barretts SEAT News

News from the SEAT dealers in Canterbury, Kent

SEAT teams up with Premier League stars Fulham FC

Underlining its continuing commitment to support British and European football, SEAT is proud to announce its appointment as official car supplier to Premier League team Fulham.

The two-year deal will see SEAT supply the West London club with a number of vehicles for use by various departments.

A variety of new SEAT models feature in the deal including the luxurious Exeo saloon, accomplished Exeo ST and capacious new seven-seat Alhambra.

SEAT is an increasingly well-known name in football circles thanks to a host of UK and European sponsorships, most notably its three-year UEFA Europa League agreement which sees the Spanish brand grab the limelight as presenting sponsor of the pan-European tournament.

Here in the UK, SEAT has been proudly associated with a number of Premier League sides. This year has also seen the staging of the inaugural SEAT FIVES tournament to put amateur teams to the test in the quest for the grand prize of a 'money can't buy' VIP trip to Hamburg for the UEFA Europa League Final which took place in May.

The latest deal, with London's oldest top-flight side, sees SEAT link up with a club that can trace its roots back more than 130 years.

Led by charismatic chairman Mohamed Al Fayed the club has a history of big-name players, too. Johnny Haynes, George Cohen, Jimmy Hill, Bobby Robson and George Best are just a few of the legends to have donned the black and white shirt over the decades.

Welcoming the opportunity to forge a new association with Fulham FC, SEAT UK's Head of Marketing Steve Robertson said: “This deal fits perfectly with our ongoing mission to develop strong and consistent links with football teams, and their fans.

“We all admired Fulham's exceptional success in the SEAT-sponsored Europa League last season, and I very much hope we'll be seeing more great performances from the Whites as this season progresses.”

Fulham Football Club Chief Executive, Alistair Mackintosh, added: “I am delighted to welcome SEAT as Fulham's official car partner.

“The Club has made significant strides since reaching the Europa League final last May which include an associate membership of the esteemed European Club Association. Our partnership with SEAT, a very well-respected European brand, will assist in maintaining Fulham's presence as an established Premier League Club, with European ambitions, to international markets.”

For information on the SEAT and its range of sporty, design-driven cars contact the team at Barretts SEAT:

Barretts SEAT
The Westgate
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2BL
Tel: 0845 164 9780

Barretts SEAT are part of the Barretts Kent Motor Group.
www.barrettskent.co.uk 

Twitter: @BarrettsSEAT

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