This compares to an average 145.14g/km for the UK new car market as a whole.

Already well below the mandatory 130g/km target set by the European Union for 2012, the level achieved by Toyota reflects the impact of both its Hybrid Synergy Drive full hybrid technology, featured in Prius and Auris hybrid, and the application of Toyota Optimal Drive across its petrol and diesel powered models.

Toyota Optimal Drive covers a wide range of improvements to engine and transmission design and engineering that have cut fuel consumption and emissions and reduced mechanical losses with no compromise in performance. The introduction of Dual VVT-i advanced variable valve timing, engine stop-start technology and components that weigh less and are more compact has had a direct impact on CO2 output. Prius adds an extra dimension to the results, its full hybrid powertrain delivering a segment-best 89g/km.

Clean Green Cars’ data are weighted against new vehicle registrations, and thus give a more accurate picture of the environmental impact of each manufacturer’s entire model range. Toyota is confident of even further improvements in its CO2 performance thanks to the launch of its new British-built Auris hybrid, the first full-hybrid family hatchback, with emissions from just 89g/km.

The full Clean Green Cars’ data tables can be seen at   http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/co2

Joanna Jones, 27, from Great Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex, died when the Toyota Yaris she was a passenger in collided with a Land Rover Discovery in Lowfield Heath Road near Gatwick Airport on March 31, 2009.

At Hove Crown Court on Wednesday (July 22), Christopher Solomon, 29, formerly of Radlett in Hertfordshire, but now living in Spain, and Geoffrey Bratt, 67, of The Greys, Weedon, Northamptonshire, were found guilty of causing death by careless driving. Both had denied the charge.

Joanna had been the passenger in Solomon’s Toyota Yaris when he turned right into BCP Airparks long term car park, across the path of Bratt’s on-coming Land Rover Discovery. They were travelling to celebrate a belated Valentines Day break in Venice.

It was established that Bratt was travelling at an average speed of 64mph in a 40mph limit immediately prior to the fatal collision.

Just before 4pm on Wednesday, Mrs Figueria, a pedestrian, was in collision with a 4×4 BMW travelling north-west in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne near the junction with Willingdon Drove

She was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery but died during the night.

The 4×4 driver, a 44-year old local man, was unhurt.

Sussex Roads Policing officers at Polegate are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the collision to contact them via 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Chesworth.

The day will commence at 9 am and you are free to come and go at your leisure throughout the day. However, bookings are being taken between 10 am and 4 pm for test drives and due to high demand anticipated.

An alfresco barbeque lunch will be served for all guests between 12 and 2 pm. Call the dealership on 01256 316800.

Christoper Alfred Taylor, 48, from Southwick, has been bailed to appear at Worthing Magistrates Court on Thursday 22 July.

Neil Tucknott, 47, from Lancing, died after the Kawasaki motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a Hyundai car.

Hundreds of people flocked to the college grounds in Eastbourne this weekend to see the latest offerings from the areas car dealerships – but I do wonder what the whole point of the event is…

Obviously, the displaying manufacturers are selling cars, but do they really want to do that? I have been to the Eastbourne Motorshow pretty much every year, and it’s certainly a great place if you are in the market for a car and not sure where to start.

This year, I was with a potential car buyer, who was looking to spend around £10,000 of her hard earned money. So, we visited the stands which offered cars at this level and narrowed it down two favourites from Citroen and Toyota.

She was lucky in that I know a lot about cars and managed to give advise on each model – it is a good job really because throughout the two hours we were there, we were not approached by one salesman!! Obviously, at a motorshow, they cannot approach every person that arrives on the stand and its important to seperate serious buyers from the children who just want to sit behind the wheel.

So what part of fifteen minutes of looking around one car did they not understand? On one of the above stands, two salesman stood next us, arms folded, looking cool in their shades. We asked them how the rear seats folded down, so one come over, pushed some buttons, they folded, then he walked away!

For some this is great, because not everyone wants to be hassled when looking around a car, but at a time when sales are low and local dealerships have to be very careful where they spend their money – I would have thought they would be fighting for business.

The show has done very well to sustain its regular exhibitors and they must see a return on their investments to exhibit every year at the show. I have run a trade motorshow in the past and I know exactly how difficult it can be.

This is the way I see it… These shows attract families who want to enjoy a day out – even if they are not buying a new car. Most of these arrive with children who love collecting freebies and looking at extraordinary and novelty cars – these are customers of the future!

Come on dealerships, let’s have some razzamatazz on the stands, some entertainment, branded freebies, concept cars, simulators and most of all, some enthusiasm. After all, people have paid good money to get into the event and they want to be entertained. Give them a good day out and they will return next year!

It is not up to the organisers to make it entertaining – the exhibitors buy the space and it’s up to them to keep customers on their stands. We wanted to be there all afternoon and we weren’t. The arena events are okay, the same every year, but they do the job. Personally, I’m not sure if good money should be spent on a ‘celebrity’ presenter, as I certainly didn’t spot visitors going there to get a look at him!

This year, it was hosted by Jason Dawe. Now, his job on TV is to help one lucky viewer to find their perfect car, let them test drive it and help them decide on their favourite. What a good live event this would have been!

I understand exhibitors do not want their cars shunned, but then if they are going to take offence, then perhaps they should’nt enter cars into the arena.

This year we had the typical non appearance from Mercedes-Benz, BMW and MINI, so guess who will miss out on the hundreds of people there with good money to spend – but I wonder if they actually care.

Let us continue to support the show which is the only regional motorshow in the country and hope that next year a manufacturer will think on its feet and actually compete for some of these important customers, and most importantly give them something to talk about when they leave!

So organisers, now you know how to get hold of me, book me for next year and let me start pushing these exhibitors into putting on a real show and let’s make it a show the visitors cannot miss!

Paul Gibson

Commenting on his achievement, Alex said:
“I’m over the moon to come first over so many other talented technicians. I’d like to congratulate the other five who made it to the final; they worked hard and did really well. I’d also like to thank everyone at Gatwick Honda and the Honda Institute, who have supported me in so many ways with extra training and lots of encouragement.”

The scores of the top four competitors were very close and finishing in joint silver medal position were Stuart Prince who works at Lookers Honda in Derby and Phil Roberts from Central Garage in Llanwrst, Wales.  Simon Castanha from Sytner Leicester BMW achieved the bronze medal.

Alex is currently working towards an NVQ level 3 in Vehicle Maintainence and Repair at the Honda Institute as part of the Honda Apprenticeship Programme.  Along with a number of other Honda Apprentices, Alex took part in the first stage of the competition while attending a training block at the Honda Institute. From there he was identified as one of the top achievers in this initial stage and was invited to attend a regional final hosted by Honda before going onto the UK national finals.

Paul Taylor, Technical Training Manager at the Honda Institute commented:
“We are incredibly proud of both Alex and Stuart on their truly significant achievements. Both have worked incredibly hard to get to the final and Alex’s victory is a fitting tribute to his passion and commitment. Skillauto is something that Honda supports wholeheartedly as it fits in perfectly with our values of championing personal development, encouraging competition and promoting the next generation of engineers and technicians.”

Melissa Sagir-Amos MIMI, Skills Competition Coordinator at the IMI was delighted with what was achieved at the event: “To be able to recognise and reward the young talent in our industry is something that we should be very proud of.  The technicians showed confidence, professionalism and dedication throughout the competition and we wish them a long and successful career within the motor industry. The IMI would also like to thank everyone who helped make this competition possible, Skillauto could not have done this without the efforts and commitment from all of those involved.”

The aim of Skillauto is to identify and promote the exceptional talent of those working in the automotive industry and exceptional candidates might then have the opportunity to compete with the best from across the world at the prestigious WorldSkills event being held in London in 2011.

Winners of the body streams of the competition, that were held as part of the Thatcham Triple Focus event will be announced at the Bodyshop magazine awards ceremony in September.

Work is now starting for the 2010/11 competition cycle for Automobile Technology, Autobody Repair and Paint.  If you would like to get involved, and to find out more, please contact Melissa at melissaa@motor.org.uk.

Operation Triangle has been launched and will run throughout the Summer. Insp Steve Grace, head of road policing in East Sussex says that it will: “Enforce, engage and educate.”

“We are committed to reducing KSIs in East Sussex and especially across the Wealden District, which has a disproportionately high number compared to other areas in Sussex. For the next three months, we will be using marked and unmarked vehicles to target those who think they are above the law and anyone using the roads illegally can expect to be caught and dealt with.”

He continued: “We are aiming this message not only at road users, but also their relatives and friends. Drive sensibly and legally and we won’t bother you, but drive drunk, at speed, without insurance, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or just anti-socially generally and you’ll be seeing our blue lights flashing in your rear view mirror.”

Police are working closely with the East Sussex Casualty Steering Group and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and the operation is being supported by East Sussex County Council.

Its arrival makes the Auris range a unique proposition in its class, with customers offered a choice of petrol, diesel or full hybrid powertrains.

Auris Hybrid has been designed specifically for the European market and is built exclusively by Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK at its Burnaston factory. The 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine that forms part of the powertrain is sourced from TMUK’s plant at Deeside in North Wales.

The benefits of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain used in the new model go beyond exceptional fuel economy and low CO2 emissions: it is user-friendly and delivers a quiet, comfortable and stress-free drive unlike anything else in the segment.

The system’s 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine and electric motor generate a maximum 134bhp, giving nought to 62mph acceleration in 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 112mph, performance that matches any conventional 2.0-litre petrol or diesel hatchback.

When fitted with 15-inch wheels, combined cycle fuel economy is 74.3 mpg and CO2 emissions are 89 g/km; with the 17-inch wheel option the figures remain exceptional at 70.6 mpg and 93 g/km, levels unmatched by any other car in its segment. In addition, NOX emissions are significantly lower than those of diesel cars of comparable performance.  Across the range, the emissions performance exempts Auris Hybrid from UK road tax (VED).

When taking advantage of the full hybrid system’s switchable EV (electric vehicle) mode, CO2 and NOx emissions are cut to zero over distances of up to 1.2 miles at speeds of up to 30 mph, according to the level of battery charge and driving conditions.

Grades and equipment specifications
Auris Hybrid is offered in the UK in two specification grades, T4 and T Spirit. T4 models can be specified with 15 or optional 17-inch wheels, with the larger rims standard on the T Spirit version. The choice of wheel size has a slight effect on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Key features of the standard T4 include: -

* Climate control air conditioning
* Six-speaker audio with CD, radio, MP3 file player
* USB and Aux-in connection
* Front and rear electric windows
* Electric, heated door mirrors
* Front fog lights
* LED running lights
* Colour-matched door handles and mirrors
* Push-button start
* Seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag
* Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC)
* Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)

T Spirit grade adds the following items: -

* Leather and Alcantara upholstery
* Cruise control
* Bluetooth
* Dusk-sensing headlamps
* Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
* Smart Entry and Start
* Auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror
* Rear view camera display in rear view mirror

A Navigation Pack is available, providing satellite navigation, rear camera and rear parking sensors. Bluetooth, with steering wheel controls, is also offered as an option for the T4.

Prices

The new Auris Hybrid T4 model costs £18,950 on-the-road and the T Spirit model costs £20,700.

An optional Navigation Pack, providing satellite navigation, rear camera and rear parking sensors, costs £1,200, and Bluetooth can be specified for the T4 version for £285.

AVAILABLE AT:

Yeomans Toyota. http://www.yeomans.co.uk/

Simpsons Uckfield. http://simpsons.toyota.co.uk

The 25-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the A26 at Beddingham at about 9.10am on Sunday 16 May.

The lorry driver, a 28-year old man also from Eastbourne, was treated at Eastbourne District General Hospital for minor injuries and shock. The collision which occurred about a mile south of the junction with the A27, resulted in the road being closed for several hours while police investigated.

Anyone who saw the collision is asked to contact Sussex Police via 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Madeley (Serial 502 of 16 May).