Anyone got of a solar powered Popemobile for sale? - Let us know, because the Pope wants one...

Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, who runs the Vatican City state, said The Pontiff would certainly prefer an electric popemobile to a traditional, petroleum-powered one given the priority he has given to making the Vatican a leader in green energy.

His comments came during a presentation of a book on the Vatican's ecological efforts: "The Energy of the Sun in the Vatican." The book documents the 2008 installation of photovoltaic cells on the roof of the Vatican's main auditorium and the 2009 installation of a solar cooling unit for its main cafeteria.

The technology has won awards and earned Pope Benedict a reputation as the "green pope."

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see full article in Daily Telegraph

Fiat releases limited edition '500 BlackJack'

One of the most popular models in the new generation of Fiat Cars has come back as a limited edition in black.

The Fiat 500, which was recently named the What Car? magazine Green Supermini of the Year, has a new incarnation as the Fiat 500 BlackJack.

Only 200 examples of the BlackJack will be made, so anyone getting hold of one is guaranteed that the limited edition tag means just that.

The new model is based on the 1.2 and 1.4 Sport specification, but with some added features, including metallic effect mouldings in the interior and 16-inch black alloy wheels with red coach line and callipers.

However, the most striking aspect of the Fiat 500 BlackJack is the matt black paint finish, according to Fiat UK's marketing director Elena Bernardelli.

"It has previously been a characteristic of new supercars, and gives the Fiat 500 a stunning new image. I am sure the BlackJack will be a huge hit with Fiat 500 fans," she added.

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Women drivers "dirtier" than men!...

Women are less likely to wash their new and used cars than men, according to new figures.

A recent survey also revealed that over 56 per cent of women leave their car unwashed for six months or more compared with 44 per cent of men.

Female drivers are also more likely to get someone else to clean their car, with seven per cent paying for car cleaning services as opposed to four per cent of men.

Of nearly 1,000 motorists surveyed, only 34 per cent said they washed their car inside and out every six months, while only one in ten clean their car thoroughly once a year.

A further four per cent said they never clean their car at all.

Read full story here...

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Sound Advice - Plan your route to avoid arguments during the journey.

Drivers have been urged to properly plan their summer driving holidays properly, in order to avoid unnecessary stress.

According to the latest YouGov poll - conducted on behalf of the AA - more than half (53 per cent) of motorists have argued with a passenger over map reading, with those in the 45-60 age group being the worst culprits.

This is a quite a high number of arguments, particularly considering the fact that 35 per cent of longer journeys are now navigated by a sat nav.

The manager of AA Publishing David Watchus insists that navigating has the potential to cause arguments on any journey, so careful planning before leaving home can save a lot of trouble.

He added: "However, many problems occur if a detour is required and you have to rely on an old road atlas.

"Having an up to date atlas in your car can make for a much smoother journey all round."

For those who use a sat nav to find their way, TomTom recently announced that drivers can now be guided by the wise voice of Yoda, thanks to a new download.


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New fuel-filling technology to help prevent Audi drivers misfueling their cars...

Owners of new Audi diesel cars no longer face the risk of accidentally filling up with petrol, thanks to new technology.

Drivers of 2011 Model Year Audi A4, A5 and Q5 TDI cars thanks to a new preventative system built into the fuel filler neck which uses an internal flap to prevent fuel delivery and spillage.

In a statement, Audi commented that instances of 'misfuelling’ have risen significantly in recent years due to improvements in refinement made by the brand’s TDI models, which thanks to high pressure common rail injection technology operate almost as smoothly and quietly as their petrol counterparts.

"This latest advance will of course be of particular interest to companies running vehicle fleets, but it will also provide reassurance for private customers making the switch from petrol, and those who aren’t the sole user of their car," added the company.

Earlier this week, Audi announced it is set to post record vehicle sales in 2010, despite the difficult economic climate faced by the auto industry over the last year.

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Mercedes unveils its first all-electric supercar...

Mercedes cars are accepting the "challenge of the future" the German brand claims.

A perfect example of this commitment to eco-friendly cars which do not compromise on quality is illustrated by the brand's new SLS AMG E-CELL.

Despite a fully-electric engine, the vehicle can apparently produce 535bhp and 880Mn of torque, moving from 0-60mph in just four seconds.

Mercedes AMG board chairman Ola Kallenius said the new vehicle is the next step in its "Project 2015" strategy, which aims to reduce fuel emissions and the performance of its cars at the same time.

"It is our goal to continually reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of new models in the coming years, while at the same time enhancing the core brand value of performance," he explains.

View used Mercedes-Benz cars now on Carmony.co.uk

Londoners ready for electric revolution...

London is ready for an electric car revolution, according to the latest report from car manufacturer smart.

Two commuters were the first to receive their smart fortwo electric cars as part of the largest ever electric vehicle trial in the UK, the Mercedes-owned Manufacturer announced.

The event coincided with the release of a new report which showed that 73 per cent of Londoners want to know more about electric cars as they look to do their bit for the environment.

In addition, 74 per cent of the respondents to smart's Plugged-In survey said they would be prepared to drive less in order to reduce pollution.

At the presentation of the two new fortwo electric cars, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "We are now on the brink of an exciting era of cleaner, greener electric motoring.

"London is already taking steps to ensure drivers in the capital will be able to embrace this new technology and plug in with confidence."

View conventional smart cars now on Carmony.co.uk

Older motorists support refresher courses for the over 70s

A new survey shows that most older drivers approve of undertaking a refresher course to polish their driving skills in their approved used cars.

More than 1,150 over-70s were polled by the RAC, with 84 per cent supporting a refresher course that included improving driving skills in adverse weather conditions and at night.

Reacting to the survey, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) welcomed the news, as many older drivers can struggle on fast slip roads in difficult conditions.

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research said it was encouraging that older drivers recognised the need to update their skills, which would allow them to stay mobile and get access to the services they use.

However, any retraining of older drivers would have to be the drivers own choice, he insists: "The IAM does not support compulsory retesting as we believe they will force many perfectly safe drivers to give up driving too early.

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Hirst's Audi A1 sold for £350k at charity auction...

Audi A1 with a Damian Hirst paint job goes for £350,000 at a charity auction.

All the A-list stars present at a glitzy charity auction were upstaged by a unique take on one of the newest Audi cars, the manufacturer claims.

Sir Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball saw close to 700 VIP guests from around the world descend on his private home in Windsor, to provide support for his AIDS Foundation.

Yet Audi claims the star of the show was one of its A1 models, which had been given a special paint job by acclaimed British Artists Damian Hirst.

The hatchback, which will not be available to UK customers until November, was daubed with paint in Hirst's particular style, the final result being a vibrant work of automotive art which was bought for a "staggering" £350,000.

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Damien Hurst's Audi A1 donated to Sir Elton John's auction...

Damien Hurst's unique used Audi car is being donated to Sir Elton John's upcoming White Tie and Tiara Ball.

The auction will be held today (June 24th), and the renowned artist has donated his Audi A1, which was spin painted in Hurst's Gloucestershire studio.

Fully driveable and road legal, the Audi will undoubtedly be one of the favourite items up for grabs among celebrities.

Sir Elton's partner David Furnish said: "Audi has been a wonderful partner with us, and this year they have really produced something fantastic.

"I am sure it will be a huge hit with our guests."

The lucky bidder that drives away with Hurst's Audi A1 can at least rest assured that the car brand has some of the lowest premiums compared to other manufacturers.

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Fiat cars inspired a 6 year old's art exhibition.

The artwork of six-year-old Sebastiano Ludovico is set to brighten up Fiat cars on show at the brand's flagship Marylebone dealership.

The showroom is hosting an art exhibition of the youngster's work, which has attracted interest from international music stars and Hollywood actors.

Paintings displayed in the 'Fiat through the eyes of a child' exhibition have been inspired by past and present Fiat cars. More than 100 guests from the business and art worlds attended the opening reception of the exhibition.

Fiat Marylebone managing director Tony Dittli explained: "I'm delighted the showroom now has such a good reputation for these types of events.

"Sebastiano Ludovico is a remarkable talent within the art world and I, like so many of our guests at this event, was completely amazed by his work - an incredible achievement from one so young."

View Fiat Cars now on Carmony.co.uk

Audi cars are the British driver's favourite...

Used Audi cars could be among the most popular vehicles in the UK, with a new poll indicating that the German brand is their favourite.

Nearly one in three (29 per cent) of people responding to the MSN Cars website poll selected Audi as their favourite, followed closely by BMW (23 per cent of votes) and Mercedes (21 per cent of votes).

Volkswagen cars were voted as fifth favourite in the poll of around 26,000 people, which received just 11 per cent of the vote, putting it slightly behind its German counterpart Porsche, which received 16 per cent.

Commenting on the findings, MSN Cars content manager Tom Evans explained: "Audi has a rapidly expanding range, aspirational marketing, its own dedicated dealerships, and 'halo' models like the R8 supercar.

"All this has in the past few years helped Audi to become the German brand many people seem to aspire to."

Last month, figures from the Association of British Insurers indicated that Audi drivers pay significantly less than owners of other branded cars when it comes to insurance premiums.

Find you ideal Audi now on Carmony
Available Audi models:
A2, A3, A4,A5, A6, A8, Allroad, Q5, Q7, R8, RS4, RS6, TT

Dad's motoring priorities change when baby arrives...

Two-thirds of new dads are likely to look for different qualities in a new car after their first child.

Nearly seven in ten men (68 per cent) change their opinion about what makes a good car when they become a father for the first time, according to our new research half of those polled would opt for a hatchback, with reliability high on their agenda.

However, more than a third are still resistant to scrapping their penchant for speed and style, claiming that they would still prefer a sports car.

We see that this change in priorities among a majority of dads is only natural, for instance what seemed important in a car before, such as speed and style, is replaced by practicality, reliability and safety when a baby arrives. Plus you need something with room enough to carry all of the baby's paraphernalia!

Search for 'sensible' cars now on Carmony

Independent review proposes drink driving law change...

Drivers will welcome proposals to reduce the legal blood-alcohol limit for motorists, according to Sir Peter North.

In the first major review of the drink and drug driving law since 1976, Sir Peter has recommended that the legal alcohol limit is reduced from 80 to 50mg per 100ml.

Sir Peter studied research conducted by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence and insisted that the public would not only accept the move, but welcome it.

"I not only believe that it is right to reduce the limit, but that the public is ready for a lower limit. It is time to give them what they want," he said.

Read full story here

Story featured on carmony.co.uk

World Cup 2010 footballing Smart cars take centre stage...

World Cup fever reigns at Mercedes-Benz World, where eight Smart cars will entertain the crowds by playing football.

Four Smart Fortwo models liveried in England white and red will take on a Rest of the World team in matches consisting of two five-minute halves and a penalty shoot-out.

The Smart football will kicked off at 12:30 today and same time tomorrow, with further matches on June 26 and 27 and July 10 – the eve of the World Cup final.

View available Smart cars on carmony.co.uk

Read full story here

Green driving courses are proving popular...

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has seen an increase in the number people looking to get the most out of their approved used cars with a green driving course.

IAM's ecolution course provides expert guidance on how to save fuel with driving techniques, with one delegate achieving a staggering 55.2 per cent increase in the number of miles per gallon that his vehicle can achieve.

Read full story on carmony.co.uk

Volkswagen adds to World Cup fever pitch in South Africa.

Volkswagen is making sure all its employees in South Africa can join in with the World Cup fun by installing big-screen TVs in all production areas and 7,000 traditional vuvuzelas, or traditional trumpets, have been distributed to help them make some noise.

Read full story here on Carmony.co.uk

Top 10 Lifestyle Searches by consumers looking for a car...

In June, research from the most popular Lifestyle Searches made by visitors who used Carmony to find a car, showed that buying a used car within budget and with good space for passengers were the top two most popular considerations. So, there are no surprises there.

However, what the research also shows is that consumers are choosing more unexpected search criteria such as "When driving car, I want to turn heads" and "My speed is fast". In fact, throughout May and June, these lifetyle search options have been far more popular than "To me, fuel efficiency is 50% to 75% important" - which came in at the end of the top 10 most popular lifestyle searches.

20% of Brits 'will buy cars online by 2015'

Twenty per cent of new and used car sales will take place online by 2015 as drivers seek the best prices on their favourite vehicles, it has been claimed.

Going to a car dealership in person will be replaced by online purchases, as drivers begin to realise the benefits of comparing online reviews and seeking out the best price, according to GForces.

Read full story on carmony.co.uk

Male drivers more likely than females to slow down and save on fuel...

A surprising study has shown that women are less likely to drive more slowly in their approved used cars in order to save on fuel.

 Shattering the image of the male boy racer, a survey by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) found that 45 per cent of men would slow down it it meant savings at the pumps, while only 37 per cent of women said the same. read the full story on Carmony.co.uk

Credit-card motoring...

Peugeot's ambitious programme could eliminate the need for city dwellers to own a vehicle. One small credit card provides access to anything from a bicycle to a 3.5-tonne van, a child seat, a roof box, a scooter, or a sports coupé. Mu is unlike anything that has gone before, or is it?
Read full story here...

British Beemer Drivers Most Likely to Love Lingerie

Carmony.co.uk studied British drivers' attitudes and habits. We covered typical topics, knowledge of cars, driving habits, and the like, and a few you wouldn't find on, say, the JD Power Survey. Like, errrr, underwear.

According to the study, 27 percent of women BMW drivers (as well as 22 percent of women over 45) routinely wear what was described as 'sexy lingerie'.

Read the full story here.

New research from Carmony.co.uk showed, the UK now has the largest market for convertible cars in the whole of Europe.

The UK's unpredictable weather does not seem to have put people off purchasing convertible cars, the latest figures suggest.

Mazda MX5 as the most popular model, closely followed in second place by the MG MGTF and the BMW 3 Series in third position.

Read full article here

Carmony.co.uk

Road Safety Week seeking kids' support...

Drivers of approved used cars will be urged to watch their speed during this year's Road Safety Week, which runs between November 22nd and the 28th, although preparations have already begun....

Read the full story on Carmony.co.uk

Low interest in running costs...

Research by used-car website Carmony.co.uk shows that 22 per cent of car buyers soon regret their purchase because they failed to work out how much it would cost to run.
Buying factors including price, mileage and age tend to outweigh considerations such as longer-term running costs that mount up over the years, the research concluded.

Read the full story in the Telegraph