Kia Track'ster concept car

The new Kia Track’ster concept car was created in the California Design Studio and is envisaged with a 250PS Petrol engine. It was launched by Kia at the Chicago auto show and is based on the popular Soul urban crossover. Last year, more than 102,000 Souls were delivered to US customers and Kia sees the US vehicle market as an attractive proposition.

This Kia concept has a powerful, dynamic and aggressive style, yet displays the distinctive design direction that the South Korean manufacturer is taking. The Track’ster is intended to be a sporting representation of Kia’s Soul B- segment SUV, which was originally created in the California Studio.

The California Studio is also the birthplace of the Soul’ster convertible concept that is currently under final assessment for production, however there are no plans for Track’ster to enter production just yet. But this could change if public demand for the concept is strong. If you are also interested in leasing a new Kia Soul we have Kia contract hire on the site now.

SKODA Citigo

SKODA is going to showcase their new Citigo city car as a five-door version for the first time at the Geneva Auto Salon. This five-door version will be launched in European markets together with the three-door version from around mid-May 2012.

The Citigo represents SKODA’s entry into the fast growing subcompact segment and is already being used in the Czech Republic. This new city car has been awarded five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test and is also the first SKODA model to sport the brand’s new logo.

The Citigo is powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine in two versions with 60 hp or 75 hp and in its most efficient Green tec variant, the new Citigo achieves CO₂ emissions  of just 96 g CO₂/km.

Toyota NS4 Advanced Plug-in Hybrid Concept Car

Toyota has unveiled its new NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept car at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The NS4 concept signals a new styling direction for Toyota and the advanced power hybrid plug-in system features a reduction in size and weight, improved fuel economy, better acceleration, a longer all-electric range, while still maintaining a short charge time.

The NS4 concept has a human-interface machine (HMI) centred round a multi-touch screen that resembles a smartphone and conveys information to the driver quickly, while minimizing distractions. It also controls air conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions and even “learns” driver preferences to anticipate driver responses in a variety of situations.

Toyota NS4 Advanced Plug-in Hybrid Concept Car

Toyota has installed its latest safety system developments in the NS4 concept, including next generation pre-collision (PCS), adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights and blind spot monitor systems. Four new glass technologies are integrated into the windscreen, front and rear windows to improve driver mobility, fuel economy and electric driving mode efficiency. The new glass technologies are as follows;

• Rain-resistant ‘hydrophobic’ coating – Fluorine coated glass causes rain drops to form intosemispherical shapes for improved visibility and rain drop elimination.
• ‘Anti-fog’ coating – High performance resin material with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability.
• High ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inner-layer – Removes 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays
• Anti-solar film with radio-wave transparency – Reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality

The inner and outer rear view mirrors have also been replaced by cameras displaying a panoramic view to the rear on a dashboard-mounted screen, providing the driver with a much wider field of vision compared to a normal rear view mirror.

New Bentley Continental V8

Bentley is unveiling its new Continental V8 model range at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit today. This new model range compliments the flagship 6.0-litre W12 and GTC, but this new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine offers exceptional power and torque, yet still delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

This luxury Bentley sports car will be available in GT coupe or GTC convertible and its powerful engine, combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, propels the car from 0-60mph in just 4.6 seconds for the GT coupe, with a top speed of 188mph.

The new V8 Continentals have a distinctive V8 growl and are capable of travelling over 500 miles on one tank of fuel. The muscular cars have a black gloss matrix grille with chrome frame, red enamel Bentley “B” badge, black matrix three segment lower front bumper at the front. To the rear it has unique chromed “figure eight” exhaust tailpipes, a dark lower valance and red enamel “B” bootlid badge.

Both cars have 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, or optional 21-inch six-spoke design which is available in Diamond Black (exclusive to the Continental V8) or Diamond Silver finishes. Inside you get an Eliade cloth headlining, new Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus veneers, optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console, to finish off the sporty design theme.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept

The new Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid concept is being unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) , in Detroit and is an innovative petrol plug-in hybrid car. It is an electric car, economical hybrid and powerful high-performance car all rolled into one.

You can decide which mode you want to drive in by the touch of a button on the instrument panel and then select Pure, Hybrid or Power, giving you three cars for the price of one.

In Pure mode the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid has a range of around 28 miles and is powered by an electric motor producing 70 horsepower. Charging is via a normal 220V household socket and a full charge with 12A takes just 3.5 hours, or with 110V/12A it takes 7.5 hours.

In Hybrid mode (which is the standard setting whenever the car is started), the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (powering the front wheels) is coupled to the electric motor (powering the rear wheels) and CO2 emissions are 53g/km, which provides fuel economy of around 100mpg and a total operating range of 600 miles, without refuelling.

In Power mode the 280hp turbocharged petrol engine kicks in with the electric motor giving you a 0-60mph of 5.8 seconds with instant torque being provided.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid - rear view

The car carries a “T8″ badge which emphasises the combined horsepower of 350 hp and has other innovative features reducing the weight of the vehicle. The Integrated Starter motor and Generator (ISG) replaces the conventional starter motor and alternator and is capable of delivering an extra 45hp during acceleration, while constantly recharging the battery when braking.

The “Save” option on the car also saves battery power for later and don’t forget the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept has electric four-wheel drive (AWD) which provides excellent handling and better traction in snow and mud for example.

The muscular appearance of the car is complimented by a special white colour and 21-inch wheels. Inside the instruments are tailored to give you all the necessary information about petrol and electricity consumption, battery charge level, remaining range plus much more. The interior colours of the car features unique dark-blue leather upholstery with inlays of blue-grey wood and this concept certainly looks a winner for Volvo.

Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept

Lexus is planning to unveil its exciting new LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept at the forthcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on the 9th January 2012, in Detroit. This great looking sports coupe marks a further step in the styling and design direction of the Lexus brand.

Inside the Lexus concept

Lexus created this car from scratch and the concept combines high technology and clean lines to create a highly distinctive , futuristic look. The concept was created at Lexus’s Cally design studio in Newport Beach, California and let’s hope the car goes into production.

Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley has been recognised with the “Best of the Best” award, by Robb Report magazine for luxury sedans (saloons), at the recent 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The prestigious “Best of the Best ” award was presented in front of the Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept, a multimedia connectivity concept that offers an impressive array of business, comfort and entertainment features.

The Mulsanne EIC allows senior executives to conduct business on the move (or unwind between meetings) with Mulsanne rear passengers receiving individual Apple iPad workstations with full internet access, plus a large drop down LED screen ensures you can watch movies or television as well. In addition to the Mulsanne EIC, Bentley showcased the new Continental GTC and the new Continental GT at the show.

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

The stunning Volkswagen Beetle R Concept has just made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, having first been shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. The US has always been the biggest market for the New Beetle and if this car goes into production it’s bound to be a winner.

The R Concept adds muscular enhancements to the familiar outline of the Beetle, with the front and rear bumpers completely re-designed and 30mm wider than the standard model. There are three chunky air intakes that dominate the front of the car with their black-gloss finish and additional engine cooling is provided by vents on either side of the top of the bonnet.

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

The rear wings are also 15mm wider than the standard car and the bumper has a diffuser with a quartet of tailpipes- two either side. To complete the sports looks the Beetle R Concept gets a large spoiler with a gloss black finish on top. The wheels are five-spoke Talladega alloys which feature in the Golf R and Scirocco R, but are 20mm wider with blue-painted brake calipers.

Inside the car has snugly fitting racing seats covered in black Nappa leather with grey nubuck panels, piping on the seats with Volkswagen R’s trademark blue colour, plus the dashboard is finished off with high gloss black. The sporty instrument panel has the tachometer in the middle with the speedometer to the side and all auxiliary instruments (oil temperature, chronometer and tubo boost pressure indicator) and all have distinctive blue needles.

The car is only a concept at the moment so there is no performance data however the Golf R and Scirocco R feature a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit producing 270PS and 265PS respectively.

The all-new Ford Escape SUV

Ford has unveiled their all-new Ford Escape SUV (sport utility vehicle) at the Los Angeles Auto Show and this car has 11 features that no other SUV currently offers. Some of the clever stuff on the car includes an available hands-free power tailgate that allows quick and easy access to the cargo compartment with the kick of a foot.

The sleek new design of the car is coupled to a new Ford Intelligent 4WD system that provides better traction off-road and the car is also more fuel-efficient as well, with around a 5mpg improvement over the previous Escape.

All-new Ford Escape SUV

The Escape is better known as the Ford Kuga in the UK and Europe and the updated model will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March of next year, featuring unique European powertrains and other features. However in the meantime current Ford Kuga car leasing is on the site now.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR QUOTE

Executive company car motoring is affordable with the BMW 3 Series 318d ES Step automatic, as BMW car leasing starts from only £327.98+VAT per month. This comfortable executive car will also provide you with 52.3mpg on the combined fuel cycle and emits only 144g/km CO2 emissions as well.

The BMW car leasing terms are based on the following;

- Non-maintained business contract hire over a three year term at 10,000 miles per annum.

- Only 3 months rental in advance followed by thirty-five subsequent rentals (38 payments in total)

- “With maintenance”, metallic paint and other vehicle options can be added at an extra cost.

- The image shown may not represent the exact model.