Viva La Viva

VAUXHALL is to resurrect the Viva name as it plans to launch an entry-level car to sit alongside its Mini rival the Adam and soon to be launched new Corsa supermini. For now the car maker isn’t giving much away, although it has revealed that the new car will be a five-door model. And while the new Viva will be a significant step up in terms of refinement and sophistication over its 1963 namesake, it’s clear that Vauxhall is keen to tap into the current trend for producing low cost cars that’s proved so successful for the likes of Dacia.

Mazda 6

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 12 September 2007 11:05 Mazda 6: haven't we seen this before? Kind of. We’ve previously been teased with a press shot showing just the front of the new, Mondeo-based Mazda 6, but the car was officially unveiled at Frankfurt, revealing a more dramatic design for this next-generation model that’s due to go on sale in the UK from December this year.

Kia Recall: 25,000 UK Kias recalled for faulty brake lights

Kia are recalling 25,000 vehicles in the UK Kia’s research and development checks have uncovered a fault in the brake light switch on a whole raft of Kia cars built between 2006 and 2011, with over 25,000 UK-owned Kias being recalled to have a fix. Models affected are previous model Carens, Sedona, Sorento and Sportage and some of the current Sorento and Soul models as well as a few Optimas (actually, just 2 Optimas). This isn’t a huge problem for owners, but Kia has discovered that carbonisation on the brake light switch contacts can make the switch a bit glitchy, with the possibility the brake lights might not come on at all when the brake pedal is pressed or, if they do come on, they may stay on.