Jaguar tops J. D. Power Survey again in 2013

Even though the Jaguar XF actually slipped from 2nd to 3rd in the top cars section (although it was the ‘Best Executive Car’), behind the Skoda Superb and Skoda Yeti, it received five star ratings for performance, service and running costs and owners rated it as ‘Excellent’ across all categories. And it was more good news for Jaguar Land Rover as Land Rover was rated the most improved brand in 2013, jumping in to the top ten (in 6th place) for the first time, with Freelander owners noting an improved dealer experience and Discovery owners reporting 30 per cent fewer faults – and actually leading the SUV sector for reliability. That’ll help the still lingering perception that JLR’s cars can be ‘fragile’.

China to boost electric cars with 30% Government EV fleet

The BYD E6 EV (pictured) will benefit from China’s push on EVs The UK government has just announced its commitment to use electric cars for its own vehicles in an effort to boost the take-up of EVs, but China is going even further. China has ordered government officials to start buying electric cars (that means BEVs, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell cars) in a big way, with instructions that 30 per cent of government cars must fall in to the ‘New Energy’ category by 2017, and an even higher percentage going forward. The aim is to cut pollution, and China expects to have 5 million New Energy cars on the road by 2020 and it is urging it government agencies and some city governments to start buying New Energy vehicles from Chinese makers like BYD and SDAIC, but also instructing them to build more charging stations and supporting infrastructure.

80hp Caterham Seven 160 details revealed

Caterham has launched its new Seven 160 – an 80hp entry-level variant of its back-to-basics sports car available that’s available now from £14,995. That’s in kit form: if you’re not keen to build it yourself you’ll have to stretch to £17,995, which still offers a decent fun/money ratio thanks to its kerb weight of less than 500kg: that equates to 160hp-per-tonne. Caterham Seven 165 prototype stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show Suzuki power for new entry-level Caterham Power comes from a turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder Suzuki engine which propels the car to 60 in 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 100mph.