SsangYong Limited Edition Korando LE

SsangYong has launched a new limited edtion Korando LE that is distinguished by its special 18 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and privacy glass. Inside the car, the Korando LE includes heated front seats, leather covered steering wheel and gear shift, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

The Korando is styled by Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design and this latest addition to the Korando crossover model line-up is also covered by the standard 5 year unlimited mileage warranty available on all SsangYong cars and priced from just £17,995 on the road.

The limited edition Korando LE is available in Grand White as standard, metallic Vitamin Red or Space Black. It is powered by the 173bhp 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo diesel engine producing 360Nm of torque with CO₂ emissions of only 157g/km, with the same mechanical specification as the two wheel drive Korando S.

Steve Gray, marketing and communications director of SsangYong Motor UK, said,“We have tailored this car for today’s tough economic motoring conditions, both out on the road and in the wallet. As a crossover it provides the perfect solution to meet virtually every motoring requirement.  Several cars in one, it’s the family hatchback for the daily school or commuter run; a load lugger for that long distance cross-country dash, and the perfect tow car – thanks to its 2 tonne towing capacity – for hauling the caravan or boat to your summer holiday destination”

SsangYong contract hire prices on this new model will be loaded shortly.

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.

Juke Shiro

The new Nissan Juke Shiro has just arrived to top the range and comes with unique white interior features, a new exterior colour and dark grey 17-inch alloys with satin silver mirrors and handles.

The Shiro replaces Kuro (Kuro is the Japanese word for black) limited edition and Shiro moves to the opposite side of the colour spectrum as it means white in Japanese. The Juke Shiro comes with a host of white details to mark it out from lesser models in the range.

Inside the Shiro

The centre console is painted white, as are the door panels and window switch surrounds. The leather wrapped steering wheel, gear gaiter and the edges of the leather seats all feature white stitching, while the seats themselves have a double layer fabric with a white background colour visible through the perforated leather facing.

The interior also gets a leather covered centre armrest complete with white stitching, which also provides additional storage; illuminated chrome-plated sill protectors for the front doors and Juke-branded velour floor mats. The Juke Shiro is available in any of the colours offered on standard Juke models, but it does have one additional unique colour in its palette: Nightshade, a deep aubergine colour.

The Shiro builds on the top-of-the-range Tekna model with prices starting from £17,695. It is available in three engine choices – a 110PS 1.5-litre dCi; 117PS normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol; and the range-topping turbocharged direct injection petrol 1.6-litre DIG-T with 190PS. A 4×4 version and CVT automatics are also available.

Deliveries are due to commence from 1 March 2012 and like all Nissan Jukes, the Shiro will be produced at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Sunderland.

Subaru XV

The new Subaru XV is being launched with an eleven vehicle model choice, with prices starting at £21,295. The XV offers a generous equipment level across the whole range and also comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and the brand’s famous Boxer engines.

The new XV has the highest Euro NCAP rating in its class and will be available in three trim levels: S, SE and SE Lux Premium. It scores particularly highly for child occupant safety and combines style and functionality with generous levels of standard-fit equipment. 

There are three Euro V Boxer engines on offer in the new XV, with a 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel.  The 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines develop 114ps and 150ps respectively, while the 2.0-litre diesel produces 147ps and the XV is available with a choice of either a five and six-speed manual or a six-speed CVT automatic (petrol only). 

Reaching 60mph in 9.3 seconds, the 2.0 diesel XV offers class-leading fuel economy of 50.4mpg on the combined cycle, while emitting just 146g/km of CO2, so this model is likely to be the best seller in the UK..  The entry-level S model features a standard kit list of ABS, traction control, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (SVDC), front, side, curtain and knee airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime LED running lights and automatic air conditioning as standard. 

The SE model range adds cruise control, rear-view camera, Bluetooth functionality and USB/iPod connectivity, while the SE Lux Premium models also come with a sunroof, Keyless Smart Entry, push-button start, leather seats and satellite navigation.  All 2.0-litre models are fitted with roof rails.

Subaru XV range:

Subaru Forester

The updated Subaru Forester has recently been named as ‘Junior Crossover of the Year’ by the specialist off-roading magazine, Total 4×4. The Forester is now available with a choice of revised petrol and diesel Boxer engines, faced stiff competition from the likes of a Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki SX4 and Skoda Octavia Scout. 

However, thanks to its Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive configuration, car-like driving dynamics and exceptional practicality, the Total 4X4 magazine judges singled-out the Japanese crossover for the highest praise, saying: “Typically of Subaru, the Forester does very good things without making a fuss of it. The combination it offers of quality, value, practical usability and driving talent makes it very hard indeed to beat.

The 2.0-litre Boxer diesel Forester range, which returns an impressive 47.9 combined mpg, starts at £23,070 (on-the-road) for the entry-level 2.0D X, rising to £25,070 for the 2.0D XC, and £29,070 for the range-topping 2.0D XS NavPlus. If you prefer petrol power you have a choice of two models – the Forester 2.0X and 2.0XS, costing £21,370 and £25,370 respectively in manual guise.  Automatic versions are available at a £1,000 premium and Subaru contract hire prices are on the site now.

Skoda Yeti

The Skoda Yeti has picked up double honours by being recognised in two class wins from two specialist 4X4 magazines, at their end-of-year annual award ceremonies.

4X4 magazine voted the Skoda Yeti number one in the Mid-Range class and Editor Nigel Fryatt praised the Yeti by commenting,”When you consider “fit for purpose” and “value for money”, the Yeti is an impressive machine. The version with the full off-road electronic terrain options is more than capable of coping with conditions way in excess of what is likely to be attempted by potential owners- surely the creed of the true off-roader”.

In addition, Total 4X4 magazine voted the Yeti as top in the Crossover category and also as the overall “4X4 Of The Year”. Editor Alan Kidd, Total 4X4 magazine, said,”This year we were ready for it- but it still took our breath away. It’s brilliantly conceived and superbly built, good to drive on the road and it’ll do remarkable things in the rough. What’s not to love? There are very few 4X4s, at any price, that I’d be happier to see on my driveway”.  If you are thinking about getting a new 4X4 then we have the latest Skoda Yeti prices on the site on Skoda contract hire.

Nissan Juke Nismo Concept

Nissan unveiled the Nissan Juke Nismo Concept at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show and gave an idea of how a premium sports version of their highly popular compact crossover might look. The Nissan Juke Nismo is lower, wider and has a tougher stance than the standard Juke and certainly looks like a performance car.

The car is finished signature Nismo colours of pearl white with red highlights and wears a body kit created by the Nismo aerodynamic specialists, who have already honed their skills on perfecting racecars. New parts on the Juke Nismo include a revised bumper front and rear, wider fenders and sill side skirts.

The grille style has also been changed and the tailgate spoiler has been modified with the addition of side elements to control airflow more efficiently, plus stylish 19-inch alloy wheels finish off the car outside. The chassis has been lowered and stiffened and power comes from a 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine, which has also been uprated for more power and performance.

Inside the Juke Nismo Concept has special leather-trimmed buck seats, a red dial and needle has been added on the tachometer and all the other components such as the steering wheel, pedals, gear shift knob, gauges and door trims have also been completely re-designed.

Nissan Juke-R

Nissan has released some more images of their Nissan Juke-R which is being dubbed as the world’s fastest crossover, taking its lead from the flagship GT-R sports car with its bold styling, power and speed. The Nissan Juke-R packs 480hp from its twin-turbo V6 3.8-litre engine and full testing of the car should happen later this month.

Nissan Juke-R crossover

The Juke-R has large vents at the front in the bumper to provide cooling for the powerful engine with flared wheel arches covering the 20-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, merging with the sculpted skirting. A dynamic split rear wing adorns the back of the car providing impressive down-force, while twin pentagonal exhausts emit the powerful engine note.

The Juke-R’s cabin is kitted out with twin race seats, full race harness and a race-spec roll cage, GT-R steering wheel,  pedals, dials and a 7-inch touch screen display fitted into the dashboard. The Juke-R is not a production car, but a road-legal concept, with a right-hand and left-hand drive model being made.

If you want to find our more about the Nissan Juke-R then visit the Facebook or YouTube site.

You can’t order the Nissan Juke-R on contract hire but we do have the Nissan Juke 1.6 Acenta on the site on offer from only £146.14+VAT on a two-year contract hire deal, 10,000 miles per annum, non-maintained on a 6+23 rental profile.

Korando crossover

SsangYong is all geared up for its UK re-launch with the new Korando crossover which goes on sale on Monday the 3rd October. The new Korando was designed in Europe by Giugaro for Europe and is available in three trim levels- S, ES and EX. The Korando range also has a choice of two wheel and four wheel drive, with manual and automatic transmission also available.

In addition to the Korando, the Rexton seven-seat off-roader goes on sale as the 270 S with manual or automatic transmission, or the 270 EX with automatic transmission as standard. There is also a commercial variant of the Rexton (the Rexton CS) available with two seats, 2.2 cubic metre load area and either manual or automatic transmission.

Or there is the Rodius MPV available with the 270 S manual, 270 ES in manual or automatic, or the top-of-the-range 270 EX with all-wheel drive and automatic transmission. SsangYong contract hire on all models is on the site now.

Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke crossover has had revised gear ratio improvements for its best-selling models and will now offer improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions. The Nissan Juke is another success story for Nissan with over 22,000 Jukes sold in the UK since it was launched back in September 2010 and follows on from the success of the Nissan Qashqai.

Both the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5 dCi diesel drivetrains, with manual transmission, have undergone the optimisation programme with revised gear ratios offering cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars at no extra cost.

The 1.6-litre petrol now returns 47.1mpg on the combined fuel cycle (an improvement of 2.3mpg) and emits just 139g/km of CO2 (a reduction of 8g/km). The 1.5 dCi diesel returns 57.6mpg (up from 55.4mpg) and emits 129g/km of CO2 (a drop from 134g/km). Nissan Juke car leasing is on the site for all models with some great prices on two years contracts as well.