Mokka SUV

Vauxhall is set to unveil a brace of stunning new models at this year’s Geneva Show, including the world premiere of the Mokka SUV, Astra VXR and Insignia BiTurbo.

Astra VXR – the ultimate coupe

The Astra VXR is based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. This  stunning coupe produces 280PS of power which is enough for it to achieve a top speed of 155mph (where permitted).

Astra VXR

It has had a raft of bespoke chassis modifications and has a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. Working in conjunction with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), the Limited Slip Differential (LSD) provides the new Astra VXR with exceptional grip and traction through bends.

It also features Vauxhall’s fully adaptive FlexRide system and in the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only has a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.

Vauxhall’s Mokka – new SUV for the brand

Vauxhall’s new small SUV, the Mokka, will take the company into new market territory when it’s unveiled at Geneva and will enter the growing sub-compact SUV B-segment. Although it is only 4.28 metres long it can still accommodate five adults in comfort.

It will be available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, with the all-wheel drive system automatically transferring power to the wheels that need it most when grip levels are tested to the extreme.

The Mokka will come with three fuel-efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol range comprises a 115PS, 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine or a 140PS 1.4-litre Turbo or there is a diesel with a 130PS 1.7 CDTI turbo. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The Vauxhall Mokka also brings latest technologies to the SUV B-segment, for example the Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) which increases driving safety and is based on the third-generation bi-xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA). Vauxhall’s front camera system is also available on the car, giving you access to a number of other functions including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and Traffic Sign Recognition.

The Mokka has a muscular, rugged look about it and has a high ground clearance as well as a 1540mm track, with 18-inch alloy wheels standard on most models. It should be in Vauxhall showrooms by the end of 2012.

Insignia BiTurbo

The Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo is Vauxhall’s most potent diesel car ever, producing 195PS and emissions as low as 129g/km and is available with a choice of five-door Hatch and Sports Tourer bodies in SRi, SRi Vx-line and Elite trims.

The twin-sequential turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. However when in BiTurbo form, this engine produces up to 35PS more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-60mph time by nearly one second, to 8.2 seconds (Insignia FWD Hatch). It has a range of eco features, including standard Start/Stop across the range, with the FWD Hatch achieving a combined 57.6mpg for example.

Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive damping is also standard on all Insignia BiTurbos and on four-wheel drive models, FlexRide is integrated with the car’s Torque Transfer Device (TTD) and the rear axle’s electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD), offering you exceptional levels of traction, grip and control.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just released the new car registrations data for September 2011 which saw 332,476 new cars registered, down 0.8% on last year. The main growth in the new car sector came from “Fleet” registrations (companies who have a fleet of vehicles greater than 25 vehicles) which grew by 7.3%, while private registrations were down by 9.3%. 

Business (sub-25 fleets) also reported a 13.4% growth year-on-year from 18,266 units in 2010, to 20,707 in 2011. The SMMT expects the full new year car market to end 5.3% lower than 2010, at around 1.92 million units. Average new car CO2 emissions also fell by 4.0% to 138.5g/km and the top car models sold in September were as follows;

1. Fiesta – 15,647
2. Focus – 14,754
3. Corsa – 14,339
4. Golf – 10,628
5. Astra – 10,462
6. Polo – 8,607
7. Insignia – 7,323
8. MINI – 6,903
9. 3 Series – 6,352
10. Qashqai – 6,068

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, (SMMT), has announced that April new car market registrations fell by 7.4% to 137,746 units, however this figure was ahead of expectations by 1.5%.

Registrations for the first 4 months of the year are down 8.5% to 696,082, but the full-year figure forecast remains the same at 1.93 million units. Fleet business (25+vehicle registrations) was up by 6.5% in April and diesel sales also recorded a strong growth.

The top 10 selling cars in April were as follows;

1. Ford Fiesta -6,755 units
2. Volkswagen Golf – 4,973 units
3. Vauxhall Astra – 4,900 units
4. Vauxhall Corsa 4,888 units
5. Ford Focus – 4,843 units
6. Volkswagen Polo – 4,524 units
7. Vauxhall Insignia- 3,912 units
8. Nissan Qashqai- 3,738 units
9. BMW 3 Series – 3,133 units
10. Volkswagen Passat -2,720 units

Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said,”New car registrations in April demonstrated continued stability in the marketplace, with demand remaining lower than in 2010, although slightly ahead of industry expectations. The coming months will remain challenging, but we do expect to see a return to growth in the second half of the year”.

If you are thinking of getting a new car for your business, car leasing is a cost-effective way of financing and we have prices on all makes and models on the site now.

Private Derek Derenalagi

Vauxhall has provided a specially-adapted Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer to Help for Heroes Ambassador, Private Derek Derenalagi. Derek lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan and the car is equipped with a hand control push/pull brake/accelerator, integral indicator switch and a quick release steering ball.

Vauxhall has also provided four additional vehicles for Help for Heroes including three Astra Sport Tourers and a Movano van. Hayley Ingram, Vauxhall’s Motability Sales and Marketing Manager, said,”I’m very proud to hand the Insignia over to Derek, he’s an inspiration to us all.Vauxhall is delighted to support those men and women who, like Derek, have given so much for their country”.

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall dominated February’s car sales last month with a total of 9,812 cars registered, led by strong sales of the Vauxhall Corsa which recorded sales of 2,617. The Astra was Vauxhall’s next best selling model, followed by the Insignia, Zafira and Meriva.

The company offers a Lifetime Warranty on its cars and Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director, said,” Vauxhall is making headway like never before in the British car market. Last month proved that we are now capable of attracting more customers than any other manufacturer, and this is down to the strength of our products, their competitive pricing and a warranty on every new car which has the potential to last a lifetime”. Vauxhall business contract hire leasing is on the site now, on all Vauxhall’s car and van models.

New Vauxhall Corsa

The new-look Vauxhall Corsa is sporting a fresh new face (with the Griffin badge) and new colours and trims, with first deliveries to fleets expected in the February 2011.

The Vauxhall Corsa is Vauxhall’s best selling model after the Astra and is a near permanent fixture in the UK’s top-three best selling cars. The new styling sees the new Corsa takes it styling cues from the Insignia, new Astra and Meriva and comes in a range of new colours too. The five new exterior colours are Lime Green pearlescent, Chilli Orange metallic, Guacamole (solid), Sunny Melon and Pepperdust metallic.

New Corsa gets the new Griffin badge

Outside the SE and SXi models get new 16-inch alloy wheels while the 192PS VXR model receives the option of new 18-inch alloy wheels modelled on the 20-inch design as seen on the Insignia VXR. This new Corsa is a very different car to the one on sale a year ago and for example has had changes made to the chassis and powertrains.

Certain models also feature ecoFLEX engines with Vauxhall’s Start/Stop technology offering a combined mpg of a 78.5 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of 94g/km on the 1.3 CDTi (95PS) ecoFlex model for example. We hope to have Vauxhall business car leasing on the new Corsa on the site shortly.

Vauxhall

The Home Office and National Association of Police Fleet Managers has once again awarded Vauxhall preferred supplier status to the UK’s 54 police forces nationwide. Vauxhall has been successful in being listed in all of the 12 categories in which it produces vehicles, indicating the breadth of its car and van model range.

Maurice Howkins, Fleet Sales Director, said,”Vauxhall provided a tender submission that met the Home Office’s requirements and our understanding of the operational needs of the Police business allowed us to provide exactly what the customer requires in terms of a turnkey solution together with a comprehensive aftersales support package”.

Forces across the UK use the arrangement, called the Framework, to purchase or lease vehicles and parts and collectively acquire 8,000 vehicles each year. The models range from local beat cars, vans and minibuses and all vehicles can be fitted out with aerials for police radios, incident data recorders, livery, force crests and all lighting requirements. The most popular model from Vauxhall, that is in service with the Police now, is the UK built Astra plus Vivaro vans and minibuses. All of these models can be found at our new Vauxhall Manufacturer vehicle leasing page if you want to see a snapshot of their contract hire lease pricing.

Auto Windscreens factory

Automotive glazing companies are finding a shortage of windscreens, following the worst winter in the UK for nearly 30 years. Auto Windscreens has found that many vehicle owners are having to wait for replacement parts, particularly for the Vauxhall Zafira, Astra, Vectra, Volkswagen Passat, Golf and the Audi A4.

As a result Auto Windscreens has increased production by more than 40% at its own factory in Chesterfield, to cope with this demand and is now producing 600 windscreens a day. Nigel Davies, Auto Windscreens Sales and Marketing Director commented,”It’s unusual to have a national shortage of windscreens and we’ve certainly not come across this before. Auto Windscreens is in the fortunate and unique position, however, that we can simply add another shift at our factory and increase popular windscreen models to meet demand and manage the delays”.

ecoFLEX from Vauxhall

Vauxhall and Opel have joined forces to find Europe’s top eco-driver with a Vauxhall Ampera being awarded to the winning driver.

The competition kicks off on the 1st April when successful entrants can show off their fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly driving skills. The contest will see who can squeeze the most amount of miles from one of the Vauxhall/Opel ecoFLEX models. To enter and register go to www.ecoflex-experience.co.uk

You will first have to enter an on-line quiz with the top UK driver then being invited, with 19 other entrants from other European countries, to the real driving event in Malmo, Sweden.

There are a total of 13 ecoFLEX models in the Vauxhall ecoFLEX range of Astra, Corsa, Agila and Zafira, and all can be easily quoted on Vauxhall car leasing from the site now.

Vauxhall ecoFLEX

Vauxhall was voted the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year 2010 at the recently held Fleet News Awards. The award is one of the most prestigious in the vehicle fleet industry and is voted independently by fleet managers across the country.

Maurice Howkins, Fleet Sales Director for Vauxhall said,”We’re absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from our customers, especially in such testing times for the industry.We strive to provide our customers not only with a great choice of vehicles, including our award winning ecoFLEX range, but also with the best support network in the industry from our fleet sales and aftersales teams and our retailers”.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall has always been popular with the UK fleet industry and has a strong product line up including the new Astra, Insignia and Corsa. Vauxhall business car leasing prices on all their whole range are available on the site now.