Behind the scene stories
I love some of the background stuff you pick up at motor shows.
At Paris, Honda launched its new hybrid model, the Insight. While this was clearly not the finished production model, it looked very smart.
I watched the unveiling with Graham Avent, Honda’‚Äôs head of corporate and business sales. Graham asked what I thought.
Frankly, I said, it’s going to fly off the shelves: it will cost more than the Jazz but less than the Civic Hybrid. So let’s say around £13k for a five door family hatchback which will: qualify for 100% corporation tax writing down allowance; 10% company car tax; and exemption from London’s congestion charge. I also told him that hybrids are very popular with small businesses. They’ll really want one of these.
“Hmm‚” Graham mused. “I think you might be right. The trouble is I’m not sure we’ll get enough of them.” Shame. I’m looking forward to driving this one.
On the Audi stand there was an Audi A4 2.0-litre TDI with CO2 emissions of just 105g/km. One of the Audi execs on the stand told me that, while this was a concept model, it would arrive in the UK. But, alas, not yet.
Also on the Audi stand was the Audi A1 Sportback. This is another concept, basically designed to take on BMW’s MINI model. Audi simply don’t have anything to compete at the moment.
A strange state of affairs, this, because they used to have the brilliant A2 city car. This was a lightweight aluminium four-seater. I remember driving the car – and loved it. The Audi A2 was technologically advanced, and good on fuel.
Unfortunately, it was ahead of its time and sales didn’t take off. It now has a cult following, especially the diesel. Used models are highly sought after. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Audi chiefs are seriously considering restarting A2 development.
Across from Audi was the SEAT stand where I bumped into Peter Wyhinny. Peter is the head of SEAT UK. I was recounting to him how much I’d enjoyed the Freetrack- and the great value it represented (see blog 65 SEAT Freetrack does the business, but not the wind).
