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One of our car leasing partners has just loaded a great contract hire offer on the Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE+ 5-door SUV from only £255.41+VAT on a two year deal. This Honda contract hire offer is based on non-maintained business contract hire, 10,000 miles per annum, 6 months initial rental followed by 23 rentals (over a 24 month contract).

Other terms are available from our car finance partner and if you want any further details on this great 4×4, just fill out a Contact Form today. The image shown is for illustration purposes and may not represent the actual model.

SEAT Mii five-door

SEAT has added a five door version to their Mii city car line-up, turning the super-compact SEAT city car into a unique combination of exceptional driving fun, Spanish sporty design and outstanding functionality.

The three- or five-door Mii scores top marks for fuel consumption and emissions and this particularly applies to the newly-announced Mii Ecomotive. Thanks to a start/stop system, brake energy recovery and other measures to improve vehicle fuel economy, the Mii Ecomotive makes do with just 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 km, equating to CO₂ emissions of only 96 g/km  for the 60 PS version and 4.2 litres per 100 km – 98 g/km – for the 75 PS Mii.  

James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A.  said: ‘The new Mii has enjoyed a terrific start.  Customer response in Spain is outstanding and we are now bringing the entire line-up to the other European markets – complete with the three-door, five-door and Ecomotive versions”.

The car is compact at just 3.56 metres long and offers plenty of room for four adults, plus with a volume of 251 litres, the Mii also boasts one of the largest luggage compartments in its class, expanding to an impressive 951 litres with the rear seat back folded.

SEAT Mii five-door

The rear doors offer a wide opening angle making entry access to the rear seats straightforward, while the especially large area of the rear side windows ensures great all-round visibility. This feeling of spaciousness is reinforced by the addition of an optional panoramic sunroof if required.

In terms of on-board occupant safety, the Mii five-door has head restraints for the rear seat passengers and child locks on the rear doors as standard vehicle equipment. The Mii also features City Safety Assist, which when the car determines a risk  in city traffic, brakes automatically to prevent a possible impact.

The Mii also comes with the innovative SEAT Portable System infotainment system, which is a compact unit boasting a five-inch touchscreen that can be fully removed from the car for use ‘on the go’.  It integrates into the vehicle’s electronics and its many functions include a satellite navigation system, hands-free phone capability with voice control and an on-board computer.

BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Saloon

BMW is taking the development of intelligent hybrid drive systems to the next level with the introduction of their new BMW ActiveHybrid 5. This model combines a combustion engine and an electric motor to enhance both efficiency and the brand’s hallmark driving pleasure.

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 comes with a BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine, plus an electric drive system, with an eight-speed automatic gearbox for the first time. This combined package offers an exceptional balance of performance and fuel economy for the premium executive car class.

The combined drive system generates a combined output of 340 hp and the car can be driven on electric power alone with speeds up to 37 mph. The  BMW ActiveHybrid 5 sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, yet still offers CO₂ emissions of just 149 – 163 g/km (depending on the model and tyres).

The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 has the sporty, yet elegant body design of the BMW 5 Series Saloon and comes with bespoke touches which highlight the identity of its innovative drive technology. The “ActiveHybrid 5” lettering on the C-pillars, the BMW kidney grille with galvanised slats and the exhaust matt chrome tailpipes set the exterior apart from the other models in the range.

The comfort of driving this car is enhanced by addition – on this model – of stationary climate control which can be activated before your journey begins. The interior climate remains constant even during breaks in the journey and when the car is in coasting mode (with the combustion engine switched off).

BMW ActiveHybrid 5 technical details

Displacement: 2,979 cc, output: 225 kW/306 hp at 5,800 rpm, 
max. torque: 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) at 1,200 – 5,000 rpm.
Synchronous electric motor; output: 40 kW/55 hp, 
max. torque: 210 Nm (155 lb-ft);
Combined output: 250 kW/340 hp, 
max. combined torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft).
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.9 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph), 
top speed purely on electric power: 60 km/h (37 mph). 
Average fuel consumption*: 6.4 – 7.0 litres/100 kilometres 
(40 – 44 mpg imp), 
CO₂ emissions*: 149 – 163 g/km, 
exhaust standard: EU5. 

*As per the EU test cycle, figures may vary according to the tyre format specified

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.

We have been featuring driving tips from driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive, with the good advice from head of training, Simon Elstow. This week he is advising on parking your vehicle.

• Do try to park on the left-hand side of the road if possible, and always at night.
• In a car park, try and reverse into parking spaces as this is safer when driving out of a space, and more fuel efficient as you’ll be manoeuvring with a warm engine, rather than cold one when you start up .
• Always check your mirrors and over your shoulder frequently – you still need to know what’s going on around you and don’t just rely on parking sensors to guide you.
• When looking for a parking place, don’t stop your car suddenly. Drive slowly past a potential parking space and size it up to see if your vehicle will fit. And if you can’t stop because you have traffic behind you, drive on.
• When visiting a supermarket , try and park away from the trolley parks and corners to avoid your car being exposed to damage from trolleys full of shopping!
• When parking, open your window in car parks and turn off your stereo as you can often hear something before you can see it.

Elstow said: “Parking is an essential part of driving which many people find stressful. Don’t feel pressurised by other drivers waiting for you to park – it’s important to take your time.”

Jaguar XF

Jaguar has just launched two new XF models, the SE Business and Sport editions and has also been voted ‘Executive Car of the Year’ by BusinessCar.co.uk

Paul Barker, Editor of BusinessCar said: ‘Jaguar’s XF has proved its appeal to the business car market with appeal to both the heart and the head thanks to its stylish looks and good running costs. Jaguar has worked hard to improve the car’s attractiveness to corporate drivers with the excellent new 2.2-litre engine, and is making further improvements that will only enhance the XF’s chances of retaining this award – decided by the readers of BusinessCar – in 2013.’

The SE Business comes with the new 2.2-litre Diesel 163 PS output engine and adds satellite navigation with seven inch touchscreen and HDD mapping to the standard specification, which includes intelligent start stop, a 400W sound system with DAB digital radio, leather and suedecloth seats and bi-Xenon headlights.

The Sport model is based on the more powerful 2.2 Diesel 190 PS engine and adds the full aerodynamic pack which includes a revised front bumper, a black grille element, side sill extensions, a subtle rear boot lid spoiler and a black rear valance.

The XF Sport also features half leather suedecloth seats, bond grain trim and a dove contrast stitch as well as electric driver and passenger adjustment. Piano black trim with ‘Sport’ decals on the centre console are matched with stainless steel foot pedals, plus heated front windscreen and front seats, a front parking aid, reversing camera and 60/40 folding rear seats.

Fiat 500 TwinAir

The Fiat 500 has just won the City Car honours in the 2012 BusinessCar Awards, for the fourth consecutive year. This award is voted for by the readers of BusinessCar magazine and is decided entirely by the business car industry, carrying with it the approval of the fleet market. The vote was also for the entire 500 range rather than just a specific model showing how extensive the Fiat 500 range is.

“Fiat’s 500 has again proved to be a business car market favourite, and Fiat’s advancement with its TwinAir technology has enhanced the excellent city car’s appeal to the sector,” commented Paul Barker, editor, BusinessCar. “The readers of BusinessCar are obviously fans of the 500’s combination of fun and frugality, having picked it as their favourite city car for the fourth year in a row.”

The Fiat 500 is available with a choice of low CO2 emissions Euro 5 engines, the 85bhp 0.9-litre TwinAir, 69 bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol, and the 95 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel. Fiat 500 contract hire is on the site on all models.

up! five-door

Volkswagen’s award-winning up! city car is now easier than ever to get into with the introduction of the new five-door model. The new five-door up! has a 2.42 m long wheelbase that offers you impressive interior space, a large 251-litre boot, an efficient three-cylinder engine, new-to-the-class safety features plus an innovative infotainment system. 

Rear passengers in the five-door up! will benefit from exactly the same space as those in the three-door model, with 947 mm of headroom (versus 993 mm in the front) and 789 mm of legroom.  The rear seat base is also set a little bit higher than that in the front, at 378 mm (versus 306 mm) giving rear passengers a clearer view of the road ahead.

the up! five-foor comes front and side airbags, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist, Isofix child seat preparation in the rear and standard ESP (on all but the entry level Take up! model). It can also be ordered with an optional City Emergency Braking system.  The innovative City Braking System uses sensors to scan the space ahead of the vehicle, applying the brakes automatically if it detects that the car is about to hit an object in front. The up! has a five-star Euro NCAP rating and also the Advanced Award from the European New Car Assessment Programme as well.

Thr first UK deliveries of the five-door Volkswagen up! are expected to start in the second half of the year with prices yet to be confirmed. Volkswagen contract hire prices for the three-door up! are on the site now.

BMW 1 Series

The new BMW 1-series has just been voted the “2012 Business Car of the Year”, after the readers of BusinessCar magazine and www.businesscar.co.uk chose it as the best product that meets the needs of a company and their drivers alike. 

BMW had a successful awards ceremony, with the German brand also collecting the Manufacturer of the Year prize, plus the Green Model of the Year for the ultra-efficient 320d ED model. There there were also sector wins for the BMW 3-series, BMW 7-series and BMW X5, as well as the BMW-owned Mini hatchback.

“BMW’s impressive and class-leading combination of desirability, efficiency and driving pleasure has again shown itself with this haul of awards, decided by the readers of BusinessCar, proving that the brand is at the forefront of the company car market,” said BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker. “Across the range there is a model for every level of employee, each one offering low tax bills, good running costs and the premium BMW badge. The people running these vehicles and giving them to their staff obviously appreciate the job BMW is doing.”

The BusinessCar Awards are awarded with votes entirely by the readers of the publication and their website, so therefore the BMW range was recognised by the very people that are likely to use the cars on a daily basis. We have the full range of BMW 1 Series models on BMW contract hire on the site now.

For the full list of winners see http://www.businesscar.co.uk/awards

BMW contract hire prices have just been updated and the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics 4-door diesel saloon is on offer on the site from only £287.27+VAT. This superb contract hire offer is based on a 4-year contract, 6 rentals in advance, non-maintained, 10,000 miles per annum and is for business users only.

The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics is a dream for any company car driver with CO2 emissions at just 109g/km, combined mpg at 68.9, yet still offering superb performance with a 0-62mph time at just 8.0 seconds.

Other terms are available from our car finance partner on shorter contracts. If you are interested in finding out more about this offer, adding your accessories, or anything else, fill out the Contact Form today.