Audi A4

Audi has released pricing and specifications for the eight-generation A4 and S4 ranges which are now ready for ordering with first customer deliveries expected in March 2012. The new Audi A4 has had extensive exterior and interior design revisions, new colour schemes, various equipment updates and an updated range of more fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines.

Inside the A4

The A4 has engine start/stop and recuperation as standard across the range and the most economical Audi is the A4 2.0 TDIe (136PS) which offers 65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 112g/km. The options list now includes online services bringing Google earth mapping and in-car internet access. The range starts from £24,000 on-the-road and we should have the new Audi car leasing pricing loaded shortly.

Range Rover Evoque

Stuff Magazine has just voted the Range Rover Evoque as “Car of the Year” in the technology award ceremony held at the Globe Theatre in London. The Evoque fought off stiff competition from other cars like the Ford Focus, Ferrari FF, Renault Twizy, Nissan LEAF and Mini Coupe and was judged on technology, design and style.

The Range Rover Evoque scored top honours in the car of the year category for some of its innovative technology, including Terrain Response (providing all weather/all terrain capability) and Adaptive Dynamics with Magnaride (giving an ever compliant ride). Other technical features praised were the Dual Screen technology that permits the driver and passenger to see two different images on the same screen (at the same time) and the 825W Meridian audio system.

Will Findlater, Stuff Magazine Editor, said,”For combining the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover and leading technology with the desirability of a Blade Runner space car, the Range Rover Evoque just had to win it for us”. The full Range Rover Evoque car range is available on car leasing, off the site quote engines.

Nissan LEAF

The Nissan LEAF five-door hatchback has been awarded the title of “Electric Vehicle of the Year” at the 2011 GreenFleet Awards, sponsored by EDF Energy. The Nissan LEAF was judged the best performing electric vehicle in its class and comes with climate control, satellite navigation, rear-view parking camera, a quick charge socket and smart-phone connectivity.

Colin Boynton, GreenFleet Marketing Manager, said,”With the five-door practicality, a generous boot, a high level of spec, and most importantly, a 110 mile range, the Nissan LEAF is the resounding choice this year. Add to that the take-up in fleets, from all over the UK, and it certainly means the LEAF is now the market leader, and will continue to make in-roads into fleets looking to embrace EV technology”.

We currently have Nissan LEAF car leasing on the site from £319.81+VAT on a 4-year deal, 6+47 rental profile, non-maintained lease and at 10,000 miles per annum. Other terms are available if you prefer a shorter duration, or higher mileage, by re-quoting off our vehicle lease quote engines.

Motoring magazine Auto Express has reported that new EU rules on ESC (electronic stability control) systems may mean motorists (and fleets) who own cars with these systems fitted, may land themselves with astronomical repair bills, if they are faulty when an MoT test is taken after three years. This also applies to leased vehicles on contract hire if you haven’t built full maintenance into your contract, as you are responsible for repairing all items.

The new EU rules come into effect on the 1st November 2012 when ESC will become mandatory on new cars, but the new MoT rules, which also make it compulsory for these systems to be in working order will also apply to older cars with ESC.

Auto Express contacted around 20 car manufacturers to find out how much it would cost to repair an ESC system. Because the system is so complicated many firms couldn’t even give an answer but for those that did, the repair bill could top £2,000.

There are also a number of other items included in the new MoT rules which come into effect on the 1st January 2012 (see list below). For example, repairing an electric seat adjustment motor can cost £1,500 and replacing a TPMS (tyre pressure monitoring system) around £500.

Many motoring groups have expressed their concern that the rules apply retrospectively, rather than to cars registered from the 1st January 2012. AA President Edmund King, said,”"We think it’s right that the MoT test keeps up with technology – that’s a move in the right direction. But if you look at technology legislation, you are normally given a date from which it applies. Some people will be caught out unfairly because they were early adopters. A degree of flexibility with older vehicles would have been good”.

Items being added to the MoT test from 1st January 2012.

• Air bags
• Brake fluid warning light
• Catalytic converter
• Condition of all visible wiring
• Condition of battery
• Electronic seat adjustment motor
• Electronic parking brake
• Electronic stability control
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
• Power steering
• Trailer/caravan electrical socket
• Tyre pressure monitoring system

Mark Bulmer from vehicle valuation from CAP, commented on whether the resale values of cars fitted with ESC would fall as a result of this,”That will depend on whether people’s desire for the safety benefits outweighs the potential extra costs. If I was looking at two six year old cars, one with ESC and one without, I wouldn’t want to take the risk of a £2,000 bill on a £4,000 car.

If you are running a car over three years old, that has ESC or some of the other technical items now being tested, it may be time to opt for new car, to avoid a large repair bill in the future. Car leasing for a new vehicle can be really affordable and if you build full maintenance into your contract as well, you never have to worry about these things as the leasing company pays the maintenance and repair bills.

Fiat 500 TwinAir

The Fiat 500 TwinAir has just won the 2011 GreenFleet Awards City Car Manufacturer of the Year. The TwinAir range has a sporty and assertive appearance but with its 0.9-litre engine unit, it offers superb CO2 emissions of just 95g/km, a combined mpg performance of 68.9 and has a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds.

The car has black alloy wheels, burnished metal effects on the dashboard and front and rear mouldings, spoiler, chrome exhaust pipe and sports seats, plus this two-cylinder car continues to scoop the industry’s top awards as it is the current International Engine of the Year too.

Colin Boynton, GreenFleet Marketing Manager, said,”Although a closely fought category again this year, the Fiat 500 TwinAir, with its low consumption, two-cylinder, clean petrol engine, was the resounding choice for the City Car Manufacturer of the Year Award. Even though it is already an extremely popular choice out there, I know we will be seeing many more take to the roads over the next year, as businesses look for a maximum return on their fleet investment. Well done Fiat, worthy winners”.

If you are interested in Fiat 500 TwinAir car leasing UK then we have the full range on the site now.

Hyundai i40 Tourer

The Hyundai i40 Tourer has just been voted the “Best Estate Car” at the 2011 Scottish Car of the Year awards and this is the first  accolade for the Hyundai i40 Tourer, since its launch in September 2011.

John Murdoch, President of the ASMW (Association of Scottish Motor Writers), explained,”There are three things an estate car must be-practical, practical and practical. So,our winner has the space and versatility to seal the deal for practicality, but this estate has a whole lot more to offer. Not least, its elegant looks and stylish interior, but we’re also big fans of the way it drives, its economical figures and very competitive prices”.

The Hyundai i40 Tourer has class leading CO2 emissions starting from 113g/km, fuel economy from 65.7mpg and Hyundai i40 car leasing for both business and personal lease is on the site now.

Nissan LEAF

If you are thinking of ordering a new Nissan LEAF then Nissan has just added six more dealers to the network that will sell and more importantly service their electric cars.  The new dealerships will also become the first in the UK to install the new smaller quick DC chargers that can charge the LEAF to 80% capacity in under 30 minutes (coming in spring 2012).

The new Nissan LEAF dealer locations are;

• Holdcroft Nissan – Stoke
• Macklin Motors – Glasgow
• Trenton – Hull
• WLMG – Reading
• WLMG – Mill Hill
• Wessex Garages – Bristol 

The Nissan LEAF has an AC motor that develops 109PS of power with a top speed of 90mph and it also has a range of 110 miles on a full charge. Nissan LEAF car leasing is also on the site now.

Leather upholstery

Volkswagen has just announced it is adding free leather upholstery to any order for a VW Golf GTI, GTD or R model and in addition is also adding Bluetooth phone preparation as well. If you opt for the GT Golf the additional accessories cost only £140 more.

The luxurious black “Vienna” leather upholstery was previously a cost option at £1,890 and both passenger and driver get electrically operated lumbar support and heated seats, as well as the fine hide covering. Volkswagen car leasing on all Golf models is on the site now.

Chrysler Delta

Chrysler’s new Delta has now gone on sale in the UK and offers the space of a family saloon in a compact hatchback body. The range starts from £16,695 OTR and there are four trim levels available – S, SE, SR and Limited.

In 2009, Chrysler formed their strategic alliance with Fiat and as such the new Delta has four Fiat fuel-efficient engines on offer. There is a 1.4-litre TurboJet petrol and a more powerful 140bhp version with MultiAir technology, plus a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel, which benefit from second-generation MultiJet technology. All the Delta models have six-speed gearboxes with a semi-automatic available on the 1.6 SE MultiJet.

Chrysler Delta

The Delta range has a high standard specification and even the S model comes with a radio/CD with MP3 compatibility, front fog lamps with cornering function, remote keyless entry, manual air-conditioning and power windows front and rear.

Standard safety features across the Delta range offer Daytime Running Lights (DRL), six airbags, three-point safety belts for five seats, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Holder and Anti Slip Regulation traction control.

The Chrysler range now consists of the Grand Voyager MPV and the smaller sister to the Delta, the Ypsilon. We have Chrysler car leasing on the Delta and the rest of the range on the site now if you are interested in leasing a new car.

Hyundai i40 Saloon

Hyundai has announced the full pricing, specification and insurance group ratings for their all-new Hyundai i40 Saloon which goes on sale from the 5th January 2012, with the entry level model starting from £17,395 on-the-road.

With its low “Benefit in Kind” (BIK) cost in class for diesel derivatives, great looks and high specification, this new saloon car looks set to be popular with company car drivers.

The Hyundai i40 Saloon will be available in the same three trim levels available on the i40 Tourer (Active, Style and Premium) with a choice of two efficient engines, three power outputs and manual or automatic transmission. Hyundai has also fitted its Blue Drive technology (including Intelligent Stop & Go) as standard on all Active derivatives and on the Style 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive and the Premium 1.7 CRDi 136PS Blue Drive model, which offers you CO2 emissions at just 119g/km.

The list of standard features is comprehensive and includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicators, electric front and rear windows and an electric parking brake with automatic hold function on all models in the range.

Safety systems include ESP (Electronic Stability Control), ABS, Hill-start Assist Control, VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), Brake Assist and Emergency Stop Signal and every model also gets seven airbags as standard (front, front side and curtain). Hyundai car leasing prices for the Hyundai i40 saloon will be loaded in due course.