MiTo now with ALFA TCT transmission

The great looking, compact, sporty, Alfa MiTo will the first Alfa Romeo model in the UK to come with their all-new ALFA TCT automatic transmission with dry twin clutch. This new ALFA TCT transmission is available with the 1.4 TB MultiAir 135bhp petrol engine (with Start&Stop), with outstanding performance on offer.

ALFA TCT transmission

This new model gives you 38.7 mpg over the urban cycle, 128g/km of CO2 emissions and a 0-62mph time of just 8.2 seconds, which is better than the same engine with the manual gearbox ( 38.2mpg, 129g/km CO2 and 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds). The new car will be on offer in Lusso or Veloce trims only.

The ALFA TCT transmission was developed Fiat Powertrain Technologies and consists of two gearboxes working in parallel, each with its own clutch, which allows the selection and engagement of the the subsequent gear while the previous one is still engaged.

The result of this is a sporty and seamless gearchange, far superior to normal conventional automatic transmissions with a torque converter. Alfa Romeo MiTo contract hire is on this model is on the site now.

Mitsubishi Lancer Juro 1.5 special edition

Mitsubishi has announced the details of the Lancer 1.5 Juro special edition model, which is based on the the current Lancer 1.5 GS2 but the new car comes fully loaded with the following high level of standard equipment.

Standard equipment on the Lancer Juro 1.5 special edition;

• Black Leather seats
• Kenwood System
• Sat Nav, Bluetooth, Reversing Camera, i-Pod connection lead
• 16″ Alloy wheels
• Climate Control
• Leather Steering wheel with audio controls
• Electric windows
• Front, Side, Curtain & Knee airbags
• CAT 1 Alarm/immobiliser
• Electric & Heated door mirrors
• Colour keyed rear spoiler

This new model also has a range of safety features including an advanced dual front airbag Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) with occupant sensors, standard front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbags and has a 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

Available in Cool Silver, Stone Grey, Orient Red, Amethyst Black and Lightening Blue, we hope to have Mitsubishi contract hire prices loaded shortly.

Potholes on UK roads

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) was founded in 1978 and represents the interests of professional driving instructors.  DIAmond Advanced Motorists administers advanced driving tests on their behalf and they are now calling on the Government to fix the UK’s roads to an acceptable standard.

The Asphalt Industry Alliance’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey concluded that around £9.5bn is need to fix the pothole-ridden state of the nation’s roads. With over £40bn going to the Goverment’s coffers in 2009 from a combination of vehicle excise duty, fuel duty, plus VAT on fuel duty and car sales, they conclude that there should be enough funds to rectify the situation.

Mike Frisby, DIAmond chief examiner said,”Numerous surveys have shown that the the road-going public consistently thinks that improving our roads should be a priority for transport expenditure. But successive governments have been less keen on spending revenue taken from motorists’ wallets in a way that will benefit them – and also the economy as a whole. Not only do we now need remedial work to be undertaken as a matter of urgency, but the UK government also has to prioritise and fund a programme of planned maintenance on a long term basis”.

Go to the Nissan Navara deal

If you are looking for a cost effective pick-up for your business, then the Nissan Navara 2.5 dCi Double Cab Acenta 190 4WD pick-up is an ideal vehicle to consider, with Nissan contract hire available on special offer from only £225.62+VAT on a three year deal. This great Nissan workhorse also offers you a combined mpg of 33.2 mpg and is great for lugging loads.

Nissan contract hire terms are based on the following;

- Non-maintained business contract hire over a three year contract at 10,000 miles per year – total 30,000 miles.

- Only three month rentals in advance followed by 35 subsequent rentals.

-  This totals 38 equal payments

- “With maintenance”, metallic paint and all other accessory options can be added to your vehicle at an extra cost to the rental shown above.

-  Please note the image we have shown may not represent the exact model.

-  Pricing is subject to change at any time and must be verified directly with each vehicle leasing supplier.

Alfa MiTo

The Fiat Group is running an MOT campaign to encourage Fiat and Alfa Romeo drivers to have their vehicle MOT tested at an authorised Fiat or Alfa Romeo workshop. If your car is over three years old and needs an MOT, if you put it through its annual safety check at an authorised dealer you will be entered into a prize draw.

The keys to a Punto Evo or Alfa MiTo is the top prize with the draw being held on the 18th July 2011. The campaign by the Fiat Group has been launched to remind everyone of the importance of regular servicing by approved and authorised dealerships and to try and increase the number of MOTs being carried out at Fiat Group Centres.

Even if you lease your vehicle, after the three year period, it will need an MOT and it is your responsibility as the lessee to ensure this happens. If you are interested in leasing a Fiat or Alfa Romeo then Fiat business contract hire and Alfa Romeo contract hire is on the site now.

Volkswagen Golf R

The super-quick Volkswagen Golf R has been voted “Hot Hatch of the Year” by the the TopGear Awards, hosted by the TV show’s presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. The Golf R is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine which produces 270PS, and with its super-sophisticated 4-MOTION four-wheel drive system, powers the car from 0-62mph in only 5.5 seconds (when coupled to the six-speed DSG transmission).

The Golf R was singled out by the judges for being” extraordinarily good at so many things” and the award was collected by Dr. Hendrik Muth, Head of Marketing and Communications at Volkswagen R. He commented,”This is the third generation of Golf R and the fastest and most focussed yet; we designed it to appeal to keen drivers exactly like the judges at TopGear. On behalf of Volkswagen and Volkswagen R it’s a real honour for the Golf to be recognised with such an award”.

With all that extra power on tap the Golf R also features a series of upgrades to the springs, dampers and gearbox software, braking systems and styling, to ensure the car performs well and to drive with a sharper feel than the standard Golf GTI. Volkswagen business contract hire leasing is on the site now for the Golf R and standard Golf GTI.

Citroen DS4

The Citroen DS4 which is the second model in the DS line of cars (DS3 being the other one), has just been voted as the “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” in an online poll of more than 60,000 web users, in 62 countries. The coveted award was presented to Frederic Banzet, Managing Director of Citroen, at the ceremony of the 26th International Automobile Festival held on the 27th January.

The Citroen DS4 really stands out from the crowd with its chevrons on the grille and its distinctive LED lights, which operate in day and night. The large optional 19-inch alloy wheels sit well within the muscular wheel arches and its chrome detailing around tinted dark windows really appealed to the voters.

Inside the DS4 has body-hugging front seats in “Bracelet” upholstery in leather, a sculpted dashboard and a panoramic windscreen extending backwards into a dark roof lining, giving this four-door coupe an aura of dynamism and appeal. Citroen business contract hire on this great new coupe will be loaded on the site, once the new DS4 is launched in the UK, which will be during the second half of 2011.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

Aston Martin has unveiled a new V8 Vantage S with a host of new driver-focussed features and dynamics, taking the car to a completely new level. Power has been increased to 430bhp from the 4.7-litre V8 engine and is coupled to a new Sportshift transmission, specifically designed for the car.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S interior

The V8 Vantage S also comes with new springs and dampers, wider rear wheels, a new DSC system, Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA), with bespoke Bridgestone tyres being developed to optimise road holding and the dynamic feel of the car. The car also features a “Sport” button which quickens the gear changes and gives you a more aggressive throttle response.

From the front the car has a new lower front bumper, a larger air intake with a splitter working in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. The 19-inch “V” spoke wheel styles are standard with optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheels available, plus the car gets a new rear bumper and side sills which optically widen the car. The car will be available in both coupe and Roadster.

BMW 5-series

The new BMW 5-series has been voted Business Car of the Year by BusinessCar readers in the BusinessCar of the Year Awards 2011. This is in addition to winning Manufacturer of the Year and Green Model of the Year, for the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics model.

BusinessCar editor, Paul Barker, said,”BMW’s 5-series proves that corporate customers really can have it all, thanks to the combination of excellent emissions and economy, continually good residual values and a badge that all executives are as keen as ever to have hanging from their key ring. The new 5-series earned a very rare 10-out-of-10 BusinessCar road test verdict when it was launched last year, and it seems the readers of our magazine and website agree”. BMW contract hire leasing on every 5-series is available on the site now.

THINK City N1 Type van

THINK, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced it is entering the electric delivery van segment with two new vehicles. Both have been designed to meet the demand and needs for small electrically powered deliveries which are particularly popular in city and urban areas.

The first van is the THINK City N1 type which carries goods up to a maximum of 237 kilogram and has a 700-litre volume capacity.The second model is the THINK Compact van which will follow later this year. The THINK Compact van has a larger capacity of 900-litres and THINK is targeting fleet sales to the French Government’s UGAP program and possibly potential Spanish customers as well.