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Friday, January 25, 2013

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Toyota Prius+ Toyota Prius+

The all new Toyota Prius+. I know what you're thinking "oh it's just a Prius", but let me stop you right there. The Prius+...

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The all new Toyota Prius+. I know what you're thinking "oh it's just a Prius", but let me stop you right there. The Prius+ is not only a fuel efficient, quiet and very cheap car to run, but it's also a 7 seater. Interested? Allow me to continue, and i guarantee, you will be even more interested. The Plus comes with all the benefits of a Hybrid, and a part from a top speed of 103mph, which unless you're planning on going to Germany any time soon won't really bother anyone, there are no drawbacks!

Looking at the car, you really wouldn't think it was called a Prius. When was the last time you looked at one and thought "wow, nice!"? Well, on a recent school run in one, i had several people staring at it. This car isn't a sports car by any means, but it's as much a head turner. It really fits in with Toyota's latest image, with lines, sharp angles, bright daytime running lights and general good looks.

Lets move on to the interior shall we? Well, simply put, the Plus is a nice place to be. The space inside is almost something Dr. Who would be jealous of, and more so if you have the 6th and 7th seats folded flat, but even with 7 people in the car, the boot is ample big enough for any wheelchair or scooter to fit in, plus there is a large under floor compartment for any shopping you might have and if you need space for large objects, simply fold all 5 rear seats down and a height adjustable drivers seat makes getting in and out of the car that much easier.





Both specifications of Prius+ come with Toyota's Touch system, a 6.1 inch touch screen display which multimedia centre, reversing camera and phone, when connected to you handset, on the T4, with Sat Nav, text messages and local internet searches such as weather forecasts available on the Touch and Go Plus available on the T Spirit.

The Plus comes with a large display screen in the centre of the dashboard, displaying speed, fuel levels, battery levels and so on, but if you don't want to take your eyes off the road to see how fast you are going, no problem, it also comes with a Head UP Display (HUD) which projects this information on the windscreen, which can be turned on or off at your choosing.

As for safety? Well the Plus comes with a variety of seven airbags around the car as well as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) Brake Assist (BA) and Traction Control (TRC) to name but a few. This car really does have a safety feeling to it and even though you might never need them, it's comforting to know that they are there, just in case.

With prices starting at £26,495 for the T4 and £29,795 for the T Spirit, they are very reasonably priced considering the high quality of this car. Added to this is the money that you will save with zero road tax, often free driving when running on electric and because all of the batteries are situated under the arm rest, there is room for a bigger fuel tank, so you won't need to stop as often.

This is one car i would insist you seriously think about buying, whatever your mobility needs are. Go for a test drive, i won't list everything that is there is available here, i want to leave a few surprises for you, but you will be pleasantly happy with this car. This isn't just a Hybrid. This isn't just a Prius. This, is a Prius+.





This Prius+ was kindly provided to us by Vantage Toyota Preston
Toyota Prius+
Car Choice: Toyota Prius+
Written By: Ava Olivia
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews
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Monday, January 21, 2013

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'12 Toyota Auris Hybrid '12 Toyota Auris Hybrid

When thinking of buying a car for disability purposes, a Hybrid may not be your first thought, but don't write them off so quickly. Ther...

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When thinking of buying a car for disability purposes, a Hybrid may not be your first thought, but don't write them off so quickly. There are plenty of benefits with having a Hybrid, high MPG, low CO2 emissions, zero road tax and they are congestion charge exempt.

Leading the way in Hybrid technology is Toyota. So lets take a look at the new Auris Hybrid. Well, this car begins to impress from  first glance, just by the way the thing looks. With its angles and curves, run by day lights and the long sloping windscreen, designed to reduce drag, all add the somewhat sporty look of this car.

So, do sporty looks come with practicality? In this car, at least, they do. The new Auris is longer than its predecessor by 30mm, giving more space in the cabin. The boot is more than large enough to fit a wheelchair and with the ability for the rear split seats to fold flat, there really isn't much you won't be able to fit in and with a height adjustable drivers seat, getting in and out of this car shouldn't be any problem at all.

What about safety? The Auris is equipped with a range of safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Traction Control (TRC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) plus seven airbags driver and driver's knee, passenger, front side airbags and curtain airbags for the front and back seats. You really do have a feeling a safety in this car, just knowing that all these features are there to protect you and your passengers.





As for gadgets? Well that depends on which spec you choose. With the Auris Hybrid, there are two specs to chose from; Icon and Excel.  Choosing between these two depends entirely on how much technology you want, or need, in your car. The Excel is equipped with from and rear parking sensors, though these are available as an optional extra on the Icon. Both specs have a 6" touch screen called Toyota Touch not only displays a rear parking camera as standard but which also allows you to not only use the cars multimedia technology, but also to view what power is coming from the battery and which is coming from the 1.8 litre Petrol engine, something i was looking it far too much i might add! Sat-Nav called Touch & Go is available as an optional extra on both specs.

A handy gadget available on all of Toyota's Hybrids is the keyless entry and start. This is basically a system where, you can open the car and start it, without having to take you keys out of your pocket. A handy thought if you've ever stood by your car in the pouring rain, searching for your keys. I think we have all been there?

Both of these cars have many more features, too many to list here. So choosing between the two might be a difficult decision. The Excel does have more gadgets than the Icon and it has the option to have a  Skyview panoramic roof, not available on the Icon. So with prices starting at £19,995 for the Icon and £21,745 for the Excel, there really is not much to chose between the two in terms of price.

There are also two other specs to choose from; the Active, which is the basic model and comes with either a 1.33 Petrol engine or a 1.4 Diesel engine, has plenty of gadgets although it does not come with the 6" screen or parking sensors but a starting  price of £13,995 for the Petrol and £15,345 for the Diesel more than makes up for that;

Then there is the Sport which comes with everything that the Icon comes but with the addition on 17" alloy wheels and sport seats, depending on your condition, this may not be the spec for you.

So which car should you choose? Well that's a choice you will have to make, though personally, if i was buying an Auris, with the combination of the money you save on high MPG, zero road tax and the amount of technology available coupled with a very reasonable price, i would have to buy the Hybrid Excel. Wouldn't you agree?





The Toyota Auris was kindly supplied to us for review by Vantage Toyota Preston
'12 Toyota Auris Hybrid
Car Choice: '12 Toyota Auris Hybrid
Written By: Ava Olivia
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews
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Sunday, January 6, 2013

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Fiat 500 1.3 Diesel Fiat 500 1.3 Diesel

The Fiat 500, based on the 500 from 1957, was launched in 2007 and has been a huge hit ever since, with the millionth car rolling off the pr...

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The Fiat 500, based on the 500 from 1957, was launched in 2007 and has been a huge hit ever since, with the millionth car rolling off the production lines in November 2012. The popularity was boosted with the high amount of personalisation available, with over 500,000 different trim, colour and decals to choose from.

On the safety front, it scored five stars in the EuroNCAP rating, with 7 airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and a hill holder device to name but a few.

Below is a review by Lorraine Mackay, a current owner of a 500 1.3 Diesel Lounge model.



I chose the fiat 500 entirely on look of it, it is retro already but by choosing yeye green it became retro heaven. The colour is reflected in the inner surfaces and even the key matches! Design is flawless, and it is practical for town and city driving. it actually has a button you press for city which affords easier maneuverability.

It is the car equivalent of the queen sized bed, very easy to park and manoeuvre but decidedly cramped if you have passengers; i learned not to take teenagers and their rucksacks during a series of bad tempered exchanges. In fact a large food shop is the limit of the fiat's boot space.

The incredibly inexpensive road tax was a lovely surprise and the fuel consumption is good i believe although i have little to compare it with. On the subject of fuel i must admit that i find the fuel cap so difficult to replace that i always ask for help, my fault i am sure but i do wonder why this should be so fiddly-can't be to discourage fuel theft  (does that even exist?) as the instructions for the cap are printed on it and i'm sure those who steal cars can also read.



Before i sound irrepressibly girly i should point out that i have a disability which may well be the origins of my cack handedness. I have become more confident about driving since i bought my little fiat simply because it is so easy and "nippy" in traffic. On the other hand i have recently had  some problems with the computer which runs the engine-apparently cars have not escaped the newness of technology. On one occassion it refused to be steered and only went forward and backwards, luckily i was going slowly in a car park when this happened and not on a motorway at the time. I'm not really sure what happened and to be honest i prefer not to dwell on it.

The fiat garage here is lovely and i must admit i enjoy the admiring glances my, still unusual yeye green 500 gets. I intend to keep it as long as possible but when i told my teenage son that he could have it one day he was not impressed at the considerable generosity and love expressed in this gesture-"sure mum i really want girl car, that'll help, cheers".

Well, as i said at the time, I like it.





Fiat 500 1.3 Diesel
Car Choice: Fiat 500 1.3 Diesel
Written By: Ava Olivia
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews
Posted by at

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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Fiat Qubo Fiat Qubo

Fiat launched the Qubo at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. Previously made as the Fiorino city van, which was made with partnership from...

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Fiat launched the Qubo at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. Previously made as the Fiorino city van, which was made with partnership from Citroen and Peugeot in 2007. Engines include a 1.3 Diesel and a 1.4 petrol and 5 or 6 speed manual and automatic gearboxes. 

Tall, french cars are very popular with disabled people, due to having a high ride position and ample amounts of room both in the cabin and in the boot, room for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

This review comes courtesy of Chris Rigby.


The FIAT QUBO is good for those who have a very small mobility scooter. A hoist can be fitted in the
back, which along with the scooter, still allows all
seats to be used. 

I use the diesel 'Easytronic' version (semi-automatic) which theoretically should give me a great MPG. Unfortunately it isn't working out like that, but after only 400 miles I don't know if that's (1) because the diesel engine is still 'running in' or (2) the weight of the hoist plus scooter, or both.

The turning circle is pretty woeful but there are good
wing mirrors to help you see behind. It's quite a high
car, but not too long which helps when parking. It is quite comfortable to drive, and should be compared to
the Peugeot Bipper (almost identical), and the Citroen
Nemo. 


If you have difficulties with a conventional rear gatefold
door, go for the 'twin door' (van) option instead which
doesn't involve having to take a step back when opening.










Fiat Qubo
Car Choice: Fiat Qubo
Written By: Ava Olivia
Popularity: 5
Rating: 168 reviews
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