2012 Subaru Legacy Tourer

The 2012 Subaru Legacy Tourer has a revised Boxer diesel engine that cuts fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, with all diesel models now falling below 160 g/km CO2 and 49.6 combined mpg on offer.

The car also gets its six-speed manual gearbox uprated, the suspension is retuned and all models come with a high-res rear-view safety camera as standard across the five-model range.

The improvements in economy and emissions haven’t undermined the diesel-powered Legacy Tourer’s performance as it generates 147 ps and the diesel unit powers the car from zero to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 120 mph.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Fleet News, the organisers of Company Car in Action, are offering fleet decision makers an exclusive opportunity to drive the full range of new Toyota hybrids on a variety of road courses at the Millbrook Proving Ground.

Vauxhall, Honda, Seat and Citroen are among other manufacturers already signed up for the two-day event Company Car in Action event which takes place on June 26th-27th. 

The Toyota Yaris Hybrid will offer industry leading low CO₂ emissions of 79g/km and also promises to be the most affordable hybrid car on sale in the UK, at less than £15,000 on the road.

The 99bhp Yaris Hybrid achieves 80.7mpg on the combined cycle, equal fuel consumption to that already achieved by the efficient 74bhp Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi, although the lower pump price of petrol (currently) should mean reduced fuel costs compared with the Kia.

Other Toyota hybrids on show include the latest version of the Prius, the Prius Plug-in, the seven-seat Prius+ and the Auris hybrid, as well as the new Lexus GS450h high-performance executive saloon.

Vauxhall, the biggest manufacturer in the UK fleet market in 2011 will have a full range of its cars and vans available to test as well. They will have the revolutionary Ampera, the first extended range electronic vehicle to be available in the UK, alongside driving debuts for the Astra GTC coupe and the new Zafira Tourer MPV.

Honda’s show cars will include the latest version of the Insight, as well as the Jazz and CR-Z, plus examples of the latest Civic, with its class-leading low CO₂ emissions, while SEAT will also bring the revised Ibiza in hatchback and ST variants, as well as the new Mii.

Fleet decision makers who want to register for Company Car in Action can do so via the link below;

http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/company-car-in-action/view_page.asp?s=online_registration/

Nissan LEAF

Nissan is sponsoring an important fixture in the eco calendar, Climate Week, which runs from the 12th to the 18th March.

Climate Week is the biggest climate change campaign in the UK and is backed by the Prime Minister David Cameron and Sir Paul McCartney.

The vehicle sponsorship sees Nissan, manufacturer of the 100% electric LEAF (EV), announced as the official vehicle partner and they will now be supporting the organisation’s annual Climate Week awards and Climate Week Challenge.

Jim Wright, Managing Director of Nissan GB, commented: “Climate Week is Britain’s biggest climate change campaign, inspiring a new wave of action to create a sustainable future.  We’re delighted to support such an influential week of action which fits perfectly with our mission to help drive change.”

Citroen Berlingo

The automotive aftermarket parts distributor, Ferraris Piston Services (FPS), has just ordered 122 Citroen Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 LX vans that have been painted in its distinctive Peppermint Green livery.

The delivery of these new Berlingo vans started at the beginning of 2012 and they will be used to distribute automotive parts to around 2,500 motor trade customers from 20 FPS depots spread across the UK.

The Berlingo LX offers the versatility of its standard fit, multi-function, fold-flat Extenso dual passenger seat and the vans also include factory fitted half-height bulkheads and removable plywood lining will also be fitted to the load area.

All new Volvo V40

Volvo will reveal its all-new V40 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. The all-new V40 has sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos in the range, all wrapped up in a sleek, compact package.

Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation, said,”The all-new V40 is the first new model that is fully developed according to our human-centric, Designed Around You strategy. Charged with an outstanding set of high-tech features it definitely will give our toughest competitors a headache”.

The all-new V40 has class-leading driving dynamics and the engine range spans from Volvo’s first diesel with CO2 emissions of just 94 g/km to the turbocharged T5 petrol engine with 254 hp and an acceleration time from 0 to 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. All engine versions feature Volvo’s start-stop and braking energy regeneration, in either manual or automatic gearbox.

As with all Volvos, safety features are paramaount and the all-new Volvo V40 has a groundbreaking Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake and several other new features, including a pedestrian airbag, Lane Keeping Aid with haptic auto steering, and Park Assist Pilot that makes parallel parking easy.The car also comes with the City Safety low-speed collision avoidance system that now operates at speeds up to 31 mph (currently 19mph on other models).

The car will be built in Volvo Car Corporation’s plant in Ghent, Belgium and production of the all-new Volvo V40 starts in May 2012.

FALKEN Wildpeak

FALKEN, the Japanese tyre manufacturer, is launching a new all terrain tyre that provides high levels of refinement and stability on road.

The new tyre will be available from spring 2012 and the FALKEN Wildpeak WP/AT01 blends the operational performance of an off-road tyre whilst incorporating many of the construction and design features that are reserved for high performance road tyres.

Yukio Yoshida, FALKEN’s European corporate planning director, said,”The Wildpeak is designed to appeal to off road vehicle owners requiring a single tyre to provide a safe, refined ride on the road yet still provide performance in a range of off road conditions. This is the first time FALKEN has sold an all terrain tyre in Europe specifically developed to fulfill the stringent requirements for off-road and utility vehicles”.

The new Wildpeak all-terrain tyre is available in a large number of vehicle fitments from 15 to 18 inches with R, S, T and H speed ratings. If you run your 4X4 on a non-maintenance lease agreement, the cost of replacing tyres is your responsibility and FALKEN now offers another tyre option to choose from.

Examples of fitments and models include;

Kia Ria EcoDynamics emits 85g/km of CO2

Car CO2 emissions continue to fall as manufacturers strive to produce even more low-CO2 cars. If you are looking for a low-CO2 car then we have 230 hatchbacks currently on the site that fit the bill, all available to lease  now. It is also worth noting that CO2 emissions and fuel efficiency go “hand-in-hand” so the chances are low-CO2 cars also have very high fuel efficiency too.

The easiest way to find the best low-CO2 cars on the site is to use the Vehicle Type Leasing Shopper. Just select the body type of vehicle you are looking for i.e. saloon, hatchback, estate, and then choose the CO2 range to show up to 100g/km of CO2. The CO2 ranges can also be adjusted by 10g/km if you find that there are not that many results in the body style you are looking at.

This should help you narrow down your vehicle choices so that your new car has a low CO2 figure, high fuel efficiency and also using the budget range on the Vehicle Type Leasing Shopper, also shows you the best car you can drive for your money.

Citroen DS4 Racing Concept

Citroen is set to debut its new DS4 Racing concept at the Geneva Motor Show, a car that has been developed by Citroen Racing, Citroen’s seven-time WRC winning motorsports division. This powerful concept emits a remarkable 256bhp yet only generates CO2 emissions of 155g/km.

The DS4 Racing has a lowered chassis, wider track, more powerful brakes, larger 19-inch wheels and features new carbon fibre components including an air diffuser, front splitter and wheel arch extensions. It is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, providing up to 256bhp, which is a record for a Citroen series production car.

The DS4 Racing concept has a textured-effect matt grey paint, which catches the light to further enhance the lines of the car and further exterior refinements include a two-tone roof and two-tone wheels with a special DS4 Racing design.

BMW M135i Concept

BMW’s M135i Concept will be showcased at this year’s Geneva Motor Show in March and this new BMW concept features a straight six-cylinder petrol engine, with the sporty looks of the new BMW 1 Series.

The straight six-cylinder petrol power plant features M Performance Twin Power Turbo technology, with a power output of more than 300 hp creating a dynamic drive, in conjunction with BMW’s rear-wheel drive, a concept still unique in this vehicle’s class.

The characteristic handling precision of BMW M Performance automobiles is achieved through model-specific suspension technology that includes the M sports braking system plus 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design complements the concept car’s sporting character.

The front apron of the car boasts a typical M design, with its large air intakes designed to match the cooling requirement of the powerful engine, other ancillary components and its large brakes. The specific design of the rear end of the BMW Concept M135i emphasises the vehicle’s width and the exhaust system’s double tailpipe features a dark chrome trim.

We do have the full range of BMW 1 Series current models on the site now on BMW Car Lease, if you are interested in getting a new BMW vehicle.

Renault Kangoo Van Z.E.

The news that the Government is to introduce an £8,000 plug-in grant for electric vans is a good reason for fleet operators to visit this year’s EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show at Silverstone, on April the 18th. There will be a complete line-up of electric vans available for driving around the racing circuit and on the open roads around Silverstone, with experts on hand to answer any of your questions.

Visitors to the Show, which is being sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust, will be able to listen to a presentation from construction specialists, Willmott Dixon Group, on their progress in “de-carbonising” their business. They have adopted a wide range of low-emission strategies for their light commercial fleets and will be sharing their experiences.

The commercial vehicles available for test driving will include the new Edison and Newton models from Smith Electric Vehicles, plus Renault’s 100% electric Kangoo Van Z.E.. Renault claims the Kangoo Van Z.E. can be more economical to run than a diesel powered van, when the plug-in van grant is taken into account.

The EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show is being organised in association with the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, (BVRLA) the trade association of the UK’s leasing and rental industries.

For more details please phone 01727 739160 or see http://evfleetshow.co.uk/