LCV VALUES DEFY POOR CONDITIONS

AN INCREASE in demand for four-wheel drive light commercial vehicles saw LCV values rise during December 2010, according to new figures from British Car Auctions. After reaching a low-point in November, the cold weather inspired a £37, or 0.9 per cent, rise in average LCV values to £4,067. Values were also boosted by a 25 per cent decline in the number of vehicles that came to auction during the month.

Honda plans gasoline engine for the CR-Z

Honda is set to provide the CR-Z with an all-new four-cylinder gasoline-engine option as part of plans to broaden the compact coupe's appeal in key world markets, including North America. Currently available with just one engine option—a gasoline-electric hybrid system that mates a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a brushless electric motor—the CR-Z is also earmarked to receive a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine currently undergoing development in Japan. The new unit, which is also planned for the Jazz, the Civic and the Accord, forms an integral part of an engine downsizing program instigated at Honda.

Land Rover: A year of Range Rover Evoque production and 80,000 sales

Land Rover is celebrating a year of Range Rover Evoque production and sales of 80,000 Evoques. The Range Rover Evoque continues to astonish with its sales performance and a seemingly unquenchable thirst from buyers to grab as many as Land Rover can build, despite its distinctly premium price structure. But that’s because Land Rover has managed to be right on the Zeitgeist with the Evoque, which conspires to offer a properly premium feel in a smaller package with no loss of ability compared to the full size Range Rover, so even car buyers with deep pockets can feel they’re being sane when they scratch their car buying itch and yet have no real compromise in ability or image.