New BMW 5 Series

BMW has announced some changes to its 5 Series executive model with an expansion of the range to eleven, plus the eagerly awaited BMW 520d EfficientDynamics model.  This is bound to be very popular with company car drivers as it offers similar performance to the 320d EfficientDynamics.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine offers a combined mpg 62.8, CO2 emissions of  just 119g/km, yet still accelerates the car from 0-62mph in just 8.2 seconds. The car also comes with BMW‘s new ECO-PRO Mode  which offers economical and comfortable driving at low speeds, Auto Start-Stop, Optimum Gearshift Indicator, Brake Energy Regeneration and Active Aerodynamics.

There are also new petrol engines in the rest of the new 5 Series 11-car range and the arrival of the BMW 520i and BMW 528i. Extensive modifications have also been made to the diesel engines in the BMW 530d and BMW 535d, increasing power and fuel efficiency. All the new BMW 5 Series range comes with Drive Performance Control as standard, which allows you to fine tune the ride by selecting Comfort, Sport or Sport+. The new range is detailed below and we should have BMW car leasing on the new models loaded shortly.

* Electronically limited    ** Automatic only

 Other changes to BMW models

In addition to the BMW 5 Series range changes, BMW has also announced the following information and enhancements about other models;

BMW 6 Series diesel

• There are new four-cylinder engines for the BMW Z4.
• The BMW X1 xDrive20d adds an Efficient Dynamics model with CO2 at 119g/km and combined mpg at 62.8.
• A new BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible Sport Plus Edition is being launched building on the M Sport trim.
• The new BMW 6 Series now gets a diesel added to the Coupe and Convertible range and an M Sport Specification.
• The 640d Coupe returns 51.4 combined mpg and has CO2 emissions of 144g/km.
• The 640d Convertible returns 50.4 combined mpg and emits 148g/km of CO2.
• There is new equipment to the BMW 7 Series which gets a new version of Night Vision. 

Hyundai i10 Blue

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, delivered his second Budget yesterday and said his intention was not to create further pain, on measures that had already been announced. However there are some changes that will affect UK company car drivers at small fleets.

Here are the headlines affecting company car drivers and small fleets;

• There are no further increases in fuel duty until January 2012.
• Fuel duty was cut by one pence per litre from 6.00 PM last night.
• There will be an increase in the fuel benefit charge from the 6th April 2011.
• A rise in Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) comes into place from the 6th April.
• Vehicle Excise Duty on cars and vans to increase by the rate of inflation.
• £100 million is being made available to repair the potholes on UK roads.

The above changes make it even more important when choosing your next vehicle, to select a car or van, that has a low CO2, high combined mpg and low running costs, to ensure your business saves money in the long run.

The Vehicle Leasing Body Type shopper allows you to do just that. Just select the body style you are looking for i.e. “hatchback”, tick “all manufacturers”, select the combined MPG range you want to look at (i.e. “60mpg -Upwards” for example), then select the CO2 range you want to look at (0g/km to 100g/km of CO2 for example) and finally click business contract hire to see the results. There are currently 104 hatchbacks that fit the search criteria. You can also add “with maintenance” to your lease rental once you get a set of results.

If you are wondering what your taxable benefit will look like after all the changes, then visit www.comcar.co.uk where you can perform a calculation.

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche has announced the details of their new Panamera S Hybrid four-seater Gran Turismo which offers a 0-62 time of 6 seconds, 168mph top speed, 380hp, 30.4 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of just 159g/km.

The Panamera S Hybrid has the same engine that is in the Cayenne S Hybrid, which already accounts for one fifth of UK sales and the unit is a three-litre V6 delivering 333hp, supported by a 47hp (34kW) electric motor. You can drive the car with both power units in combination, or alone, however with just the electric motor, the car has a range of 1.25 miles, with a top speed of up to 53mph. The transmission is the eight-speed Tiptronic S and electrical energy is also recovered while braking or driving and stored for later use.

Hybrid system

Each Panamera has a high level of specification including leather interior, PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), Bi-Xenon headlights, front and rear ParkAssist, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, Porsche Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), Porsche Communication Management with touch screen satellite navigation and audio controls plus cruise control.

The new Panamera S Hybrid will go on sale in June of this year and with a CO2 level of 159g/km, Porsche is anticipating this new model will be attractive to company car drivers. Porsche business contract hire leasing is on the site now and we hope to have rentals loaded for this new model soon, plus the key vehicle specifications.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is set to be launched in the spring of 2011 and has been comprehensively modernised. The front and rear sections have a much more striking design, a high resolution colour display in the instrument cluster, plus an elegant new dashboard.

New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

There are numerous other enhancements including new engines, all classed as BlueEFFICIENCY (BE), 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission and an ECO start/stop function. In addition the car comes with ten new driving assistance systems, based on the latest radar, camera and sensor technology, ranging from the standard ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system to the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.

There are three petrol models, namely C 180 BE, C 250 BE and C 350 BE and three diesel models, C 200 CDI BE, C 220 CDI BE and C 250 CDI BE, with the C 220 CDI BE being the most frugal.

The C 220 CDI BE six-speed manual tranmision with ECO start/stop is bound to be the popular model with company car drivers, as it only emits 117g/km of CO2 and returns 64.2 combined mpg. Mercedes-Benz car leasing on these new models will be loaded in due course.

Premium interior

Peugeot 3008 Crossover with Grip Control

Lots of company car drivers will be looking at 4x4s with the recent snow but may be concerned about the sacrifices to make on emissions (and therefore tax), fuel consumption and insurance costs. However there are some other options when considering a vehicle for driving in winter conditions and once such model is the Peugeot 3008 Crossover with Peugeot’s innovative Grip Control.

Grip Control is essentially an intelligent traction control system and with special mud and snow tyres, it automatically improves the vehicle’s traction on tricky surfaces such as snow, mud, dirt tracks and wet grass. It also works in conjunction with the car’s ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) to maintain the best possible  traction from both front wheels and has five operating modes as follows;

1. Standard mode- for normal road conditions
2. Snow mode- this adapts the system to gain the best traction when pulling away and returns to Standard mode when you reach 31mph
3. All-terrain – this mode copes with mud, dirt tracks and wet grass by allowing a high level of slip on the least stable wheel when pulling away and providing as much torque to the wheel with the strongest grip level.
4. Sand mode – allows slight wheel slip on both drive wheels.
5. ESP Off – this disconnects ESP and Grip and gives full control to the driver up to 31mph-once you reach this speed, Standard mode is engaged automatically.

Grip Control is available as standard on the Peugeot 3008 SR Crossover and is an option on the Sport and Exclusive HDi 122 & HDi 150 Crossover models. The Grip Control option also includes standard fitment of 215/60 R16 Michelin Latitude Tour HP “Mud and Snow” tyres, which are suitable for off-road use and Peugeot business contract hire can be found now for all Peugeot 3008 models.

With new Benefit-in-Kind changes coming into effect in 2012, reducing the lowest band emissions threshold from 120g/km to 99g/km, Volvo has launched three new DRIVe car models which are bound to be of interest to company car drivers.

The C30, S40 and V50 DRIVe models emit just 99g/km of CO2 and from the 1st January 2011 will also qualify for exemption from the London Congestion Charge. James Shires, National Corporate Sales Operations Manager at Volvo Car UK, said,”Company car drivers making a decision about their next car now, need to consider these forthcoming BIK tax changes, or know that they could be potentially missing out financially over the life of the contract”

Volvo

Ultimate Car Control has teamed up with Volvo to offer company car drivers an Excellence in Professional Driving (EPD) training programme. This is the only fully legally compliant driver training programme in the UK and Ultimate Car Control chose Volvo for their safety reputation and innovative new technology. Organisations are now legally obliged (Duty of Care) under Health and Safety legislation to develop company policies that protect their employees if using their car (or van) for work purposes. Ultimate Car Control has reported that companies who have put their fleet drivers through the one-day course have already reported great results. One organisation has already witnessed a drop in accidents by 47% and a 37% drop in insurance premiums. The course involves a classroom-based session covering hazard perception, the effects of drugs and alcohol on drivers as well as explaining how vehicle safety systems such as anti-lock braking systems actually work. The second part of the course  is a dynamic driver training session where drivers learn how to drive in extreme situations and learn how to keep control of their vehicle. If you are interested in finding out more you can contact Ultimate Car Control direct.

GEM leaflet

As George Michael, the international pop star, has just been jailed for driving under the influence of a cocktail of illegal and prescription drugs, GEM Motoring Assist has published a copy of a leaflet warning and advising against this practise. According to a recent poll, 1 in 10 drivers has admitted their ability to drive was impaired after taking medication, whilst 3 per cent admitted to actually having an accident or a near miss, when driving under the influence of prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines.

The leaflet which is supported by Resident GP of ITV’s This Morning, Dr Chris Steele MBE, answers any questions about driving under the influence of prescription drugs and also offers guidance on being aware how certan medication can affect your driving.

The leaflet is available at www.motoringassist.com/motoronmeds

Employers have a duty of care responsibility to ensure that their company car drivers drive responsibly, so the leaflet should be of use to UK fleet managers to help educate their fleet drivers.

Vauxhall is introducing new models across the range that substantially undercut the list pricing of current entry-level models in each car range. This offer benefits both private and company car users.

Five new Expression models (Corsa, New Astra, Astra Sport Hatch, Zafira and Astra Twin Top) plus the new ES models in the Insignia and Astra ranges, will now give a more attractive entry point for new Vauxhall drivers. For example the entry level Insignia ES replaces the current S model yet offers more equipment at a lower price, with standard 17-inch Structure wheels and a CD400 CD player with MP3 format. Vauxhall car leasing on the new models will be loaded shortly.

The new BMW 5 Series Touring has now been launched and will reach UK showrooms by September this year,  just in time for the new 60 plate. The initial range will be available in a choice of two petrol cars, the 523i and 535i and two diesel models, the 520d and the 530d.

BMW expects the BMW 520d to be the most popular with company car drivers as it offers 137g/km CO2 emissions (139g/km for the auto) and returns 54.3 (53.3 for the auto) on the combined fuel cycle. All models will feature 40/20/40 flat-folding rear seat backrests, a luggage load cover and a self opening rear window for ease of access for small items.

Dakota leather upholstery is also a standard accessory option for all models, as is automatic air-conditioning with two-zone control. The boot capacity is 560 litres which is bigger than the outgoing model and with the rear seats folded this increases to 1,670 litres. The cabin has the same quality and comfort as the BMW 7 Series and of course all the cars feature BMW EfficientDynamics technology such as Brake Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, Low rolling resistance tyres, Electric Power Steering and lightweight engineering throughout the vehicle.