A forthcoming Hyundai is apparently equipped with car parts able to provide "unrivalled power and economy".

The ix35 is due to be revealed at next months’ Frankfurt Motor Show and according to the manufacturer will replace the currently available Tucson sports utility vehicle (SUV).

It will deliver better fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and therefore cost the owner less to run than other SUVs on the market, with refined powertrain technology and sleeker styling, Hyundai added.

This is contributes to improved aerodynamics and potential buyers could find it a more interesting alternative to rivals.

"Distinctive" was the word used by the company to describe the motor and it went on to explain "design cues seen on ix35 will be carried over to other new Hyundai models, most notably the pronounced hexagonal grille, which will become a recognisable family attribute".

Interested car enthusiasts can catch up on all of the events of the Frankfurt event during its run from September 15th to 27th.

Vauxhall has paid particular attention to its new range of engines that will be incorporated into the upcoming Astra.

Scheduled for unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the British-built model will be available with what the marque described as a "highly competitive" range of petrol and diesel parts.

These are promised to reduce fuel consumption and combined carbon emissions by about ten per cent.

An ecoFLEX version is planned for addition at a later stage but until then drivers can choose from a 1.4-litre Turbo, a 1.4-litre and two 1.6-litres for the petrol line-up.

Diesels will include 1.3-litre, 1.7-litre and 2.0-litre units.

Each Astra will come with a six-speed gearbox, except from the 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre models, as well as the 1.3-litre CDTi. These will be equipped with five-speeds.

The cars are manufactured at the Ellesmere Port plant.

Fans who want to keep up to date with the Frankfurt Motor Show will have 12 days to do so, as it runs from September 15th to 27th.

Better fuel efficiency has been named as one of the reasons why certain cars hang on to their original list price more than others.

According to a new report from Eurotaxglass’s, seven out of the top ten vehicles for residual value are superminis and city cars.

The company said this is partly because they have lower road tax, are initially priced lower than other motors and have high levels of fuel efficiency.

Buyers see these as "key considerations", it added.

The Peugeot 107 was named as the best for fending off depreciation, keeping 60.9 per cent of its value. All of the autos investigated by Eurotaxglass’s were 06-plated and had 39,000 miles on the clock.

"While high performance and a prestige badge might seem highly desirable characteristics in a car, these results demonstrate … what really makes a difference to consumers," explained managing editor Adrian Rushmore, going on to cite purchase cost and running cost as such deciding factors.

Specific car care and maintenance may also help a motor to stay in tip-top condition and keep its worth.

Lamborghini parts are not always the first thing new drivers will notice if they are lucky enough to own one of the motors, but to an expert, there is room for improvement in the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, according to one review.

Jeremy Clarkson gave the vehicle a once-over for his weekly Times column and awarded it four stars out of a possible five, despite noting that its one technical failing was the gearbox.

He said the manual version of the motor comes with a clutch pedal that is so close to the transmission tunnel that it is "extremely boring" to drive as there is nowhere for the driver to put their left foot.

However, choosing an automatic gets rid of this problem and it is worth the extra money, he added.

Other highlights in the review were the engine cover, which Clarkson said "feels like it’s made from bronze", as well as the "magnificent" 5.2-litre engine that delivers "mesmerising" speed.

Clarkson’s most recent series of Top Gear included guests such as Sienna Miller and Usain Bolt.

An "alarming" number of motorists in the UK are breaking down after running out of fuel, it has been claimed.

The Highways Agency (HA) has warned that drivers who fail to fill up with sufficient levels of petrol or diesel are putting themselves and others in danger.

It issued this warning in light of figures that show 15,788 individuals found themselves stranded on motorways up and down England between July 1st 2008 and June 30th 2009 with an empty tank.

This is equivalent to 43 breakdowns a day.

Commenting on the growing trend, director of network operations with HA Derek Turner said: "It’s not only hazardous to the driver and passengers, but to other road users as well, especially if the vehicle has to stop in a live lane."

In other safety news, HA recently urged motorists not to discard rubbish on the floor of their autos.

The group claimed items like empty cans of pop could become lodged under the brake pedal and cause an accident.

Car parts being fitted to all new autos from 2012 may not improve safety as intended, it has been suggested.

In three years’ time, it will be a legal requirement for all autos coming off the production line for sale in Europe to feature tyre monitoring systems.

The purpose of this technology is to warn drivers if there is a problem.

However, Schrader Electronics has suggested some versions of the device will work better than others.

It explained there will be direct and indirect systems, claiming the latter could prove problematic.

The company said this form of the technology can take a long time to pass on vital data to the person behind the wheel.

It stated: "The delay in providing this information to the driver is considerable, opening up the possibility of a rapidly deflating tyre not being detected and the possibility of an accident."

In other news, the Highways Agency has warned that motorists who break down as a result of running out of fuel are putting themselves and other road users in danger.

Motorists planning lengthy road trips this summer should make sure they get important car parts checked before leaving, it has been claimed.

According to Kwik-Fit, an auto service that covers everything from oil levels to tyre pressure can help ensure a journey runs smoothly.

It suggested this may be more important than ever as a result of a new trend, which it has dubbed ‘Brit hopping’.

The group explained this term refers to the growing number of UK residents who are holidaying in the UK and taking in multiple locations during one trip.

Figures from the company show that on average people enjoying these types of getaway are covering 385 miles.

When a driver is relying on their auto to this extent, it makes sense to ensure all important car parts are working as they should before leaving, the firm suggested.

Customer services director David White said it was encouraging to see people using their vehicles to explore their home country.

He added: "The Brit Hop generation is here – and at the centre of it is the car."

Meanwhile, Kwik-Fit recently urged drivers to get air conditioning units checked before embarking on summer getaways.

There is a lot of work to be done before significant numbers of electric autos become a reality on Britain’s roads, it has been claimed.

According to the Green Car Website, the government will need to put sizeable incentives in place to encourage motorists to opt for battery-powered vehicles.

It also claimed charging infrastructure will need to be extended.

However, the group added, if these measures were implemented, there would be considerable enthusiasm for electric cars.

Research by the organisation found 60 per cent of people would consider battery-powered autos if they could afford them.

Spokesperson Faye Sunderland commented: "Our poll shows that there is strong public support for electric cars but, without commitment of the carmakers and the UK government, prices will remain too high for most."

In other news, the Green Car Website recently reported more drivers are opting for liquefied petroleum gas in a bid to cut costs and CO2 emissions.

Drivers planning a trip to Europe this summer should make sure they take their autos to have crucial car parts checked before leaving if the vehicle’s next service is due in the near future, it has been suggested.

According to Mondial Assistance, even if a motor has been to a garage relatively recently, it is important to ensure the tyres and battery are still in good condition.

It also urged people to check oil, petrol and water levels, claiming doing so could significantly reduce the chances of a breakdown on foreign soil.

Holidaymakers were additionally reminded to brush up on the rules of the road in the country they plan to visit.

Mondial Assistance suggested people who fail to do this could land themselves in trouble with the law.

Automotive director Lee Taylor commented: "British motorists are always surprised by the fact they can be fined on the spot in other countries."

Meanwhile, Kwik-Fit recently advised drivers planning a vacation in the UK to check important car parts before leaving.

Drivers planning on jumping in their motors and heading to the continent this bank holiday have been urged to think about what would happen if their vehicles let them down and they required car spares while overseas.

According to roadside recovery group Green Flag, people need to prepare for the worst by making sure they have European breakdown cover.

It claimed this type of protection is just as important as car and travel insurance.

Motorists were also warned not to assume that their standard policy will be valid abroad.

Dan Robinson, head of Green Flag, stated: "Many people are unaware that their insurance and breakdown cover doesn’t always cover overseas trips."

He added the further drivers travel the more important a good roadside assistance package becomes.

Individuals were also advised checking important car parts ahead of a trip overseas can help prevent a breakdown.

Meanwhile, getting into the habit of carrying out routine maintenance now could also help to see an auto safely through the winter.