Opportunity for motorists to cast their eye

6:32pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

In a bid to find more clement weather in July the popular Christchurch Motorshow has moved along the calendar from its traditional May date.

In the past the late Spring Bank Holiday hasn't been blessed with the best of the weather - last year the show was cancelled for a day because of flooding on the site at Sopers Lane - so it is hoped that the change this year to the weekend of July 19 & 20 might bring more sunshine.

What isn't changing is the opportunity for motorists to cast their eye over the latest models from a wide range of manufacturers.

For families there is the chance to checkout the latest in compact people carriers, models such as the award winning Ford Focus C-Max and S-Max twins, Vauxhalls' big selling Zafira, the latest Mazda5, Volkswagen's recently revised Touran or perhaps the unusual Roomster from Skoda.

One of the benefits of a show such as this is that the whole family can hop in and out of cars, comparing one against the other on one site without having to drag around several dealerships.

Sportscar fans will have plenty to drool over from Mazda's sector creating MX5 (now with an automatically folding roof), to Nissan's eye catching 300Z while cabriolet enthusiasts will be able to flip the lids on the likes of the Ford Focus CC, Vauxhall's Astra Twin-Top, Saab 9-3 convertible, Honda S2000 and Volkswagen Beetle.

With rising fuel prices and a hike in road tax very much on everyone's mind, fuel frugal superminis will be the target for many show visitors.

Among the models combining low fuel consumption with low CO2 emissions worth checking out are: Skoda's diesel- powered Fabia, the evergreen Volkswagen Polo, the latest common rail diesel Vauxhall Corsa, Ford's sales leading Fiesta (with the possibility of seeing some fuel flex alternatives), the charming Mitsubishi Colt and for those who only need two seats the novel and iconic smart car.

Once again the Christchurch Motor Show will be held at Twynham School playing fields with admission and parking free.