New Peugeot 207

Peugeot is launching the new 207 range in August offering three body shapes, hatchback, SW and CC plus twelve different power-plant options, thereby providing a greater choice for customers. The car has had its front redesigned to give it a softer look while still retaining its natural dynamism. Add to this an increased use of exterior body colouring, chrome detailing, new rear lights using light emitting diodes (on the hatchback and CC models) and you can see the difference.

Inside new trims and detailing place emphasis on quality and comfort, with the new instrument panel giving the car a more modern look.  Environmental innovation is provided by a gear change indicator on manual gearbox models to encourage the driver to drive in a more efficient way. The range of engines are particularly fuel efficent with CO2 emissions reduced to as low as 99g/km.

Technology standard equipment includes Peugeot Connect USB with Bluetooth, in-car-entertainment system, one -touch direction indicator for safe lane changes, one-touch operation on the driver’s electric window on the 207 CC and remote controlled window closure, via the plip unit on hatchback and SW models.

Full prices will be released next month.

The Cygnet

Aston Martin has developed a new luxury commuter concept car based on the Toyota iQ. The “Cygnet” will offer customers a new distinctive, exclusive solution for urban travel while travelling in style and luxury.  The new car is highly fuel efficient as you would expect from Toyota but combining this with Aston Martin’s prestigious brand makes this new car an interesting proposition.

Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project – made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota’s stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ. Much work is required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future”.

The concept is based on a similar basis to a small boat attached to a luxury yacht and Dr Bez went on to say: “The offering of a Cygnet with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level”.

Zenith windscreen

Citroen has released the details of their new  re-designed C3 which has sold over 2 million units worldwide. The new car, which is arriving in the UK in early 2010, gets a much sportier edge and tauter profile with a robust appearance to match.

The new Zenith windscreen flows up dramatically over the heads of the front seat occupants and offers a panoramic field of vision. This unique windscreen also creates a much brighter cabin environment improving visibility, road safety, driving pleasure and offers a general feeling of openness.

New Citroen C3

Inside Citroen has also paid great attention to detail using high quality materials, enhanced sound insulation and a pleasant fragrance from the car’s integrated air freshener. Add to this great technology with USB, iPod, Bluetooth functionality and also the option of Citroen’s “MyWay” satellite and Hifi system and the car looks to have everything you will need.

From launch an HDI 90 powered version will be available emitting only 99g/km CO2 which is the first sub 100g/km full production car Citroen has manufactured. New power plants will come on board in 2011 incorporating second-generation Stop & Start technology and Citroen is promising new diesel technology emitting as little as 90g/km. The new third generation petrol technology is also offering low CO2 emissions at less than 100g/km as well and Citroen looks committed to offer low CO2 cars in the future.

The end of 2015 seems a long way off, but this is the date when Government Ministers have announced that all analogue signals will be switched off and all signals move on to a digital platform. This will effectively make any FM analogue radio fitted to your car or van now, obselete. So if you are about to choose your new car or van it might be worth considering fitting a DAB digital system.

Digital radio

Many of the top-selling models such as the Ford Focus, Fiat Punto, Volkswagen Polo, Peugeot 207, Vauxhall Astra and Renault Clio still remain in the analogue age, though will offer a digital radio as an extra option for circa £200-£500. Ford for example does fit DAB radios as standard to many Titanium models in their range, like the Kuga. Of course the more luxurious models like the Audi A8, BMW M5 and M6, Jaguar Sovereign and Land Rover Freelander come with digital radios as standard, but it is worth checking before you order your new vehicle. You can also check out DAB reception and coverage at www.getdab.com.

Julie Sinclair, of Auto Express magazine said ” Motorists wanting to sell their cars will have to upgrade their radios whether they like it or not. It’s going to cost them money”. There is also likely to be a period of disruption when the switch from analogue to digital happens, as transmitters are adapted to the new system.

Mandy Green of the Digital Radio Development Bureau , which is funded by the BBC and commercial broadcasters, said: “We are not happy about it but there is not a lot we can do. Everything comes off the same mast so when you are doing work to facilitate the switchover, it affects both the analogue and digital radio signal”.

If you are buying, or financing your next car on a loan agreement, you should consider the potential impact on the resale value of your vehicle, if you have an analogue FM radio as standard. Most manufacturer car radios are already fitted into the dashboard and are an integral part of the interior and therefore may be difficult to replace when the switchover happens. Of course if you contract hire your vehicle you don’t need to worry about the impact on the second hand value, as the risk on the disposal proceeds is the responsibility of the car leasing company.

BMW 740d Sport

The BMW 7 Series flagship model from BMW has been upgraded with a new 740d model. At the same time the BMW 730d comes with a revised powerplant improving fuel economy and emissions and both cars will be available in September. Power for the 740d takes diesel performance to a new level, with 306hp available from the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine. This takes this luxury car from 0-62mph in only 6.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 155mph where allowed.

Both cars also come with BMW’s award winning EfficientDynamics technologies which sees both models of these luxury cars stride ahead of their competitors lilke the Mercedes S350CDI for example.

BMW 740d Sport

Brake Energy Regeneration uses the engine’s power on overrun, such as braking, to charge the battery for the car’s electrical circuit thereby saving energy.  When accelerating the alternator disengages to channel all the power towards the car’s performance. All these technologies were available on the 7 Series since November 2008 but have been added to the 730d for the first time. 

The roof, doors,bonnet and front side panels are all made from aluminium to further reduce weight to improve fuel consumption. CO2 for the 740d is 181g/km and 178g/km & 180g/km for the 730d and 730Ld respectively. The combined mpg figures are much improved, with 40.9 mpg available from the 740d which for a car of this size is pretty impressive.

As well as launching the new 740d, BMW is adding the M Sport option to the 7 Series range and all BMW 7 Series variants can now be ordered as either SE or M Sport. With M Sport you get new 19-inch M Sport V-spoke alloy wheels, M aerodynamic body styling and high-gloss exterior trim. 

740d Sport interior

Inside the M Sport offers Sport seats, M Sport steering wheel, M Sport door sill inlays, brushed aluminium interior trim and Anthracite headlining. Prices for these models will be announced closer to September however if you want a BMW now then BMW car leasing prices are available on all their models.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has welcomed the progress being made on making Britain’s roads the safest in the world. The latest DfT (Department for Transport) figures show that in 2008, 2,538 were killed on the roads (down from 2,946 in 2007) and 26,029 people were seriously injured (down from 27,774 in 2007). The total number of casualties on Britain’s roads fell to 230,884 which was down from 247,780, in 2007.

One concern however is that child deaths did not follow the same pattern as the number rose from 121 in 2007 to 124 in 2008. Kevin Clinton, RoSPA head of road safety, said: “Last year saw the lowest number of road deaths since records began. This new record shows that the fall in road deaths is a trend and not a statistical blip. However it is unacceptable that more children died on the road in 2008, than in 2007″. 

He went on to say ” Each and every one of us should think about the safety of children and how our personal actions, especially when driving, affect the wellbeing of our most vulnerable road users. We must all play our part in making sure that the number of children killed and injured on the roads this year is much lower than the figures revealed today”

Take That

Two years after completing their legendary Beautiful World comeback tour the legendary British band Take That are going on the road again in Volkswagen‘s people carrier, the Caravelle. The Caravelle has always been a favourite in the music industry thanks to its space, versatility and understated appearance and reliability.

Take That chose the Caravelle for the previous tour and Gary Barlow, lead singer of the band said ” We love the Caravelle. It’s comfortable when we’re travelling and even with the four of us, it’s really spacious”. Take That are touring again on ” The Circus Live ” Tour across the UK.

The Caravelle is equally at home as a family vehicle, luxury limousine or as an MPV for up to seven people and Volkswagen contract hire prices will be available now if this model appeals.

Infiniti Essence

Infiniti, the luxury car make from Japan, will be showcasing the Infiniti Essence at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Essence was created to celebrate the 20 year history of Infiniti as a creator of luxury high performance cars. This dramatic design is a 600PS petrol/electric hybrid coupe with rear wheel drive and offers a dramatic design, technology and outstanding performance.

Infiniti G37

The Essence will be joined by the new V6 powered G37 Convertible in right hand drive form, the first example ever produced. The G37 comes in two guises with both featuring a metal three piece folding roof. The G37 looks as good with top up as it does down and comes in two models.

MINI E

BMW has successfully applied to the Technology Strategy Board for a proportion of the £25m fund, enabling the MINI E (with zero CO2 emissions) to be introduced and tested on British roads by a mixture of private, corporate and public sector drivers. MINI E models will take part on trials on UK roads for a 12 month period with the objective for BMW to bring their electric cars to market as rapidly as possible. The trials will help formulate their future strategic and technological decisions.

The MINI E’s electric drive train reaches 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds and power is delivered to the front wheels by a single-stage helical gearbox. Top speed is electronically limited to 95 mph (where permitted). The car is based on the current MINI Hatch and is available as a two seater only as the lithium-ion battery takes the place of the rear seats.

With 204hp on tap, the performance of this car is close to a MINI John Cooper Works model. Not only does the car have excellent acceleration but it also decelerates quickly as well. Charging time is expected be four and a half hours, for a full charge, via a 240V/32A mounted wallbox which will be installed in the customer’s garage. The intention longer term is establish a network of public charging stations in due course.

A launch date and pricing details for any UK customer interested in participating in the trial will be announced shortly via the MINI website. If you are interested in MINI car leasing on current MINI models these are readily available now.

Audi A3

All you then have to do is choose your fuel option (1) then the range of models you want to look at i.e. BMW 3 series for example (2), then the exact model you are interested i.e. BMW 318d Es 4 door saloon manual (3) and then Quick Quote business contract hire or personal contract hire (4).

This will take you straight to your BMW car leasing quotes with prices compared from the finance partners on the site, on non-maintained contract hire, three year contract, 10,000 miles per annum mileage allowance, three months initial rental followed by 35 subsequent rentals. Pricing terms can be amended to other parameters once you get a set of results.

This further reduces the number of clicks to get an exact model quote to four. At present, the number of Quick Quote Car Leasing links has been designed for the most popular manufacturers on the site, however more will be added on request.

Robert Wastell, managing director of Comparecontracthire.com said, ” We are always looking to enhance the site and this is just one of a number of new changes we are planning, to help customers find their prices as quickly and as easily as possible”.