A convertible car could be perfect for summer, and there are some relatively cheap options on the market.

Yahoo.co.uk found five drop-tops for less than £15,000, with the cheapest costing less than £11,000.

The Smart Fortwo Pulse Cabriolet, Britain’s cheapest cabriolet at £10,665, was rated as one of the most inexpensive cars to run, with a roof that folds back at the touch of a button.

Although not as widely known, the Daihatsu Copen (£11,986), is described as "a great value sun-loving proposition", and comes with a 1.3-litre engine.

Fiat’s 500 C, a "cute retro" cabriolet, is available for £12,265, but Yahoo recommends spending an extra £1,000 for the Lounge model, which comes with alloy wheels, climate control and rear parking sensors.

The last two on the list will stretch the budget a bit more, but at £13,799 the MGTF still allows for "inexpensive open-top motoring n a proper sports car".

Finally, the Citroen C3 Pluriel, a four-seat model, is a more practical choice if you plan on enjoying the open-top experience with a few friends. It’s available for £14,745.

British Car Auctions is hosting its first convertibles sale of the year at Blackbushe auction centre, Surrey, tomorrow (April 17th).

The Citroen C1 ev-ie will incorporate a new high-capacity lithium-ion battery developed by Europe’s largest independent battery manufacturer Axeon.

UK-based Electric Car Corporation will be tasked with building the new battery and Axeon is hoping to supply between 300 and 500 of the devices to Citroen over the course of the next 12 months.

Axeon, which is based in Dundee, is a specialist in batteries designed for commercial and industrial applications, but its core business is buoyed by the supply of lithium-ion technology to the automotive sector.

Chief executive officer of Axeon Lawrence Berns said: "We are delighted to be working with the Electric Car Corporation.

"This agreement is an endorsement of our technology development plans, further underlining our capabilities in the battery sector and our dominant position in the market, allowing us to capitalise on opportunities and continue to grow the company."

Another player entering the hybrid car fray is Audi, which announced last year that 2010 will see it introduce its first mixed-fuel vehicle – the Q5.

Citroen is fitting its popular Berlingo panel van with new car parts to begin the new year.

The vehicle now comes with a near-side sliding side load door as part of its standard equipment.

In addition the van now has Plus Pack which introduces high-frequency remote control central locking, electric front windows and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors to the original specification.

Charles Peugeot, head of commercial vehicles and business sector sales at the company, said: "The well-proven Berlingo First continues to be a popular budget choice for van buyers. The latest Berlingo First specification upgrade will further enhance the appeal of this evergreen model."

Earlier this week, Citroen unveiled standard safety car parts including front lateral airbags and Isofix child seat anchorage points for its VTR-plus models.

The cars also now come with a new trim providing leather upholstery, steering wheel and gear knob covers for enhanced comfort, and shiny black interior touches provide an elegant finish.

Citroen has announced that it has added new parts to the specification for its Berlingo First panel van.

The model now comes with a ‘Plus Pack’ which includes high-frequency remote control central locking, electric front windows, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors and a near-side sliding side load door.

It has been available with the upgrades since January 1st and has an MRB (Manufacturer’s Recommended Basic) price of £11,335 – this is the price exclusive of VAT, delivery to dealer and number plates, government first registration fee and Vehicle Excise Duty.

Charles Peugeot, head of commercial vehicles and business sector sales, said: "The well-proven Berlingo First continues to be a popular budget choice for van buyers. The latest Berlingo First specification upgrade will further enhance the appeal of this evergreen model."

The French car manufacturer also recently announced the addition of the Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking package to its Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay panel van.

French auto manufacturer Citroen is starting 2010 by unveiling new car parts for its VTR-plus models.

A new trim provides leather upholstery, steering wheel and gear knob covers for enhanced comfort, and shiny black interior touches provide an elegant finish.

The cars also come equipped with standard safety car parts including front lateral airbags and Isofix child seat anchorage points on the rear seats, while an optional Safety Pack is also available with electronic stability programs and curtain airbags for added security.

In addition, Citroen has stated that production of the C1 Splash Special Edition will continue during 2010 due to high demand.

The practical, city-friendly car comes equipped with standard car parts that provide features including air conditioning, remote central locking and front electric windows.

Earlier this week, Citroen announced that its Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay panel van now comes fitted with its Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking package.

A different type of Citroen car spare is likely to be needed in the brand’s new Relay-based bariatric ambulances.

The company now provides two such motors along with a dispatch-based bariatric support vehicle which are specifically for patients who weigh in excess of 50 stone.

AST Ambulance director, Tony Hannigan, explains: "This year and next year AST Ambulance will be investing a total approaching £1 million in bariatric vehicles to meet a growing need in the National Health Service. For this operation the Relay offers significant operational advantages."

Mr Hannigan highlighted that the bariatrics offer improved inside width and are a lower height for loading. In comparison to the service’s other motors the Relays are coming out at four to five mpg more economical.

This type if ambulance comes in at a cost of £50,000, having reinforced loading ramps, special stretchers and removable seating as a result of being converted by Oughtred & Harrison – part of a wider company which has specialised in freight forwarding and shipping since 1919.

As the conference talks begin in Copenhagen for COP15 one car manufacturer will be showcasing more than Citroen parts.

The experts at Citroen are set to share its green plans for the future in a series of conferences.

Entitled Green Days at Citroen: Explore the solutions of tomorrow, the conferences will take place at the company’s headquarters in Scandinavia.

From December 8th to 10th the brand will discuss how to achieve CO2 emissions targets, electric vehicles and what the eco vehicle of tomorrow will look like.

The model of motors that Citroen will choose to exhibit are the C-Zero and Berlingo First Electric, which are set to be launched in 2010 and are full electric motors.

C-Zero emits no CO2 emissions, has no engine noise and needs no fuel – designed in mind with making urban motoring easier. It is the result of combined efforts with Mitsubishi Motors.

A concept car named Revolte will demonstrate rechargeable hybrid technology and will also feature alongside the efficiency improved C3 and DS3 models.

The panel of judges at the recently-held Scottish Car of the Year awards ceremony has highlighted certain Citroen parts.

Following the C3 Picasso’s win for best multi-purpose vehicle of the year, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers member Stephen Park remarked on the vehicle’s performance.

"We were particularly impressed by the 1.6HDi engine that provides strong, economical power and good overall performance," he said.

According to the manufacturer, it took the top spot in a category full of competitors such as the Renault Grand Scenic and the Kia Soul.

Citroen also said the prize was one of several garnered by the C3 Picasso so far this year – it also snagged honours from publications such as Fleet World, What Diesel and Top Gear.

The company may be looking at more success in the next few months, after launching its 100 per cent-electric city car in recent days.

Named the C-Zero, it is set to hit showrooms in the last quarter of next year.

Car manufacturer Citroen has made new green improvements to its C5 model.

Citroen has developed a petrol engine in collaboration with BMW to in favour of its current 2.0i 16V 143 hp unit.

The 1.6i 16V THP 155 hp Euro V engine means that the new model boasts a 16 per cent cut in CO2 gas release and an 18.5 per cent better combined-cycle fuel economy.

Also available in an automatic equivalent, its CO2 output is 179 g/km – representing a reduction 10 g/km output improvement.

For each of the new versions of the vehicle, the improvements have meant a reduction in the fee that needs to be paid for the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

VED applies to cars that were registered first from 2001 onwards and it an obligation which cost is based upon the CO2 emissions the motor produces.

For all of your Citroen spares, visit 247 Spares.

New products have been added to the Ready to Run scheme from Citroen.

The programme already includes tippers, Luton vans, dropsides and much more.

Robert Handyside, commercial vehicle operations manager, said: "Tawe Coachbuilders will be supplying a unique, versatile, wheelchair-accessible minibus – KFS a high-payload, multi-purpose small plant carrier. Somers is introducing temperature-controlled box van bodies and Supertrucks is supplying a low-loading relay-based glass-carrying van."

He added that this move would serve to propel Ready to Run even further in front of the competition, with a selection of products that have been developed especially.

An example of what the industry can look forward to is given with the Flex-i-Trans system from Tawe. It is said to be a versatile mini-bus, which has a fully ISO M1-compliant floor system, exclusive to Citroen motors.

In some of the models from the company, the minibus can be changed from seating to wheelchair appropriate in a matter of seconds.

Citroen claims to be "leading the way in innovation and safety and redefining modern automotive technology".

For all of the Citroen spares you need, contact 247 Spares.