The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just released the new car registrations data for September 2011 which saw 332,476 new cars registered, down 0.8% on last year. The main growth in the new car sector came from “Fleet” registrations (companies who have a fleet of vehicles greater than 25 vehicles) which grew by 7.3%, while private registrations were down by 9.3%. 

Business (sub-25 fleets) also reported a 13.4% growth year-on-year from 18,266 units in 2010, to 20,707 in 2011. The SMMT expects the full new year car market to end 5.3% lower than 2010, at around 1.92 million units. Average new car CO2 emissions also fell by 4.0% to 138.5g/km and the top car models sold in September were as follows;

1. Fiesta – 15,647
2. Focus – 14,754
3. Corsa – 14,339
4. Golf – 10,628
5. Astra – 10,462
6. Polo – 8,607
7. Insignia – 7,323
8. MINI – 6,903
9. 3 Series – 6,352
10. Qashqai – 6,068

New Citroen DS4

The new Citroen DS4 has already been voted “Most Beautiful Car of the Year” by more than 60,000 web users in 62 countries and it is now officially going on sale on the 4th July. There are three trim levels available - DSign, DStyle and DSport with a range of five Euro 5 compliant engines.

This is second model in the DS line (after the DS3) and Citroen is targeting the sector between coupes, hatchbacks and crossovers. Cars such as the Volkswagen Scirocco, Renault Megane Coupe, Volkswagen Golf and Honda Civic Hatch, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 Sportback and crossovers such as the Nissan Qashqai and MINI Countryman are in the DS4′s sights.

Rear-view Citroen DS4

The car looks like a sleek coupe but it has 5-door flexibility and a raised stance. Eye-catching lines are enhanced by a chrome finished waistline, dark tinted windows, rear spoiler and stylish 19-inch alloys in scupltured wheel arches. Three full-size rear seats are on offer and the boot has a large 359 litre capacity, which increases to 385 litres using the under floor storage.

The cabin oozes comfort in a premium environment with high-quality cabin materials, drilled aluminium pedals, embossed door handles and a choice of five leather combinations. There is also a large panoramic windscreen offering enhanced occupant visibility and a bright and welcoming environment. The colour of the instrument dials and cluster can also be changed to further refine the driving experience.

Engine options are two diesels- HDi 110 and HDi 160 and three BMW co-developed petrol engines- VTi 120, THP 155 and a new THP 200. The THP 200 offers a top speed of 146 mph (where permitted), a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds, CO2 emissions of 149g/km and a combined mpg of 44.1. The HDi 110 is also available in an e-HDi option which uses Stop & Start (plus micro-hybrid techology) to boost fuel economy by 15% in city driving conditions, with CO2 emissions at just 110g/km.

The Ds4 has lots of safety features including ESP with Intelligent Traction Control, ABS with EBD and EBA, six airbags and two Isofix mountings on the rear seats. Other safety offerings include Citroen’s new blind-spot monitoring system, programmable cruise control and a speed limiter. Citroen business car leasing is on the site now on all models.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, (SMMT), has announced that April new car market registrations fell by 7.4% to 137,746 units, however this figure was ahead of expectations by 1.5%.

Registrations for the first 4 months of the year are down 8.5% to 696,082, but the full-year figure forecast remains the same at 1.93 million units. Fleet business (25+vehicle registrations) was up by 6.5% in April and diesel sales also recorded a strong growth.

The top 10 selling cars in April were as follows;

1. Ford Fiesta -6,755 units
2. Volkswagen Golf – 4,973 units
3. Vauxhall Astra – 4,900 units
4. Vauxhall Corsa 4,888 units
5. Ford Focus – 4,843 units
6. Volkswagen Polo – 4,524 units
7. Vauxhall Insignia- 3,912 units
8. Nissan Qashqai- 3,738 units
9. BMW 3 Series – 3,133 units
10. Volkswagen Passat -2,720 units

Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said,”New car registrations in April demonstrated continued stability in the marketplace, with demand remaining lower than in 2010, although slightly ahead of industry expectations. The coming months will remain challenging, but we do expect to see a return to growth in the second half of the year”.

If you are thinking of getting a new car for your business, car leasing is a cost-effective way of financing and we have prices on all makes and models on the site now.

New VW Eos

Volkswagen has announced the new details of the updated Volkswagen Eos convertible. The Eos remains the only vehicle of its kind to feature a five piece metal folding hard top with integrated glass sunroof and the new model has been brought into line with the styling direction as seen in the Polo, Golf and Passat.

The front gets a new bumper, a set of new headlights, front bonnet and wings that are similar to those on the Golf and at the rear there are new lights and trims plus the option of a new leather finish. The car is powered by a powerful TSI petrol or TDI diesel engine with power outputs ranging from 122 PS to 210 PS and comes in a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG auto on some selected models. Volkswagen business car leasing for all the new models will be loaded shortly and the new range is detailed below.

New Volkswagen Eos range

New Jetta

The new Volkswagen Jetta which made its debut in New York earlier this year, has now been shown at an event held at FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena. The new Jetta has a front grille similar to the Phaeton, with strong horizontal fins and has clean and simple lines. The car also features many of the new design changes seen on the Polo, Passat and Sharan.

Rear view of Jetta

Styling changes continue inside the cabin bringing the new Jetta in line with the Golf’s centre console plus there have been updates to the entertainment, climate control system and steering wheel design. The Jetta has also grown in length by 90 mm and provides an increase of 67mm increase in rear legroom over the outgoing car.

The range includes a pair of 1.4-litre TSI petrol engines developing 122 PS and 160 PS, plus two diesel engines, one with a 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS and a 2.0-litre developing 140 PS. The 1.6-litre TDI will also feature BlueMotion Technology including Stop/Start and battery regeneration.

This practical saloon car seats five adults comfortably and has a large 510 litre loadspace and a comprehensive range of standard safety features including six airbags, ABS and ESP. The car will be available in early 2011 when prices and full vehicle specifications will be announced. In the meantime all other Volkswagen business car leasing prices are on the site now.

Passat BlueMotion

A Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS has just set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by a standard production passenger car on a single tank of fuel. The attempt was carried out by a team from the Sunday Times newspaper (and monitored by two independent AA patrolman) and involved driving from Maidstone in Kent to the South of France and back.

The Passat BlueMotion ran out of fuel close to Calais having travelled a remarkable 1,526.63 miles over French autoroutes and some town driving, at an average speed of 45mph. The standard production Passat BlueMotion is fitted with aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, a lower ride height, Stop/Start, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tyres.

This is in common with the Polo BlueMotion and Golf BlueMotion models and the Passat BlueMotion offers an official combined mpg figure of 64.2, however on the trip, the Passat BlueMotion managed 89.83mpg. Volkswagen business car leasing is available on the Passat BlueMotion, Golf BlueMotion and Polo BlueMotion now.

Many thanks to Media Inventions Ltd for the use of the picture above.

New Tiguan Match

The Match is a familiar name in the Polo, Golf and Touran range, however Volkswagen has now introduced the new Tiguan Match, to replace the outgoing SE model. The new Tiguan Match adds Park Assist, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, touchscreen DAB digital radio and a leather multi-function steering wheel, for just £250 more.

This is in addition to 17-inch alloy wheels, six-disc CD autochanger, heat insulating glass,six airbags, ESP and ABS. The Match is available in a choice of two petrol or two diesel engines. The petrol options are a 1.4-litre TSI unit developing 150PS and a more powerful 2.0-litre TSI producing 170PS. The two diesels are a 2.0-litre TDI with either 140PS or 170PS. A BlueMotion model will also be available and Volkswagen contract hire prices should be on the site shortly.

Volkswagen Golf

You could be driving a Volkswagen Golf 1.4S 3-door hatchback from only £198.00 +VAT per month on an amazing Volkswagen business car leasing special offer. The Golf offers 44.1 mpg on the combined fuel cycle and emits only 149g/km CO2.

The Volkswagen business car leasing offer is based on the following terms;

- Non-maintained business car leasing over three years at 10,000 miles per annum.

- Payment terms are three months rental in advance followed by 35 subsequent payments – i.e. 38 in total.

- Car shown is with metallic paint which is available at an extra cost.

ACFO Award winners

ACFO, the body representing the interests of businesses which operate cars or vans, has awarded the following manufacturers with awards, at the 2009 ACFO Fleet Car and Van of the Year Awards.

- The Volkswagen Golf range won ACFO Fleet Car of the Year for the Volkswagen Golf.

- Ford won the Fleet Light Van of the Year for the Transit Connect.

- Volkswagen also won the Van Award for their Caddy range.

- Mercedes-Benz won the Fleet Panel Van of the year category for their Sprinter.

Julie Jenner,ACFO chairman said, “The Awards continue to represent the true face of fleet operations,rather than showroom appeal”.  Car leasing and van leasing prices on the above manufacturers are readily available off the site now.

Volkswagen R versions

Volkswagen has released the pricing on the new R versions of the Golf and Scirocco. The Scirocco R is fitted with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine, has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and an XDS electronic cross axle traction control system. The Golf R produces 270PS and uses a hydraulic version of Volkswagen’s 4MOTION four wheel drive system.

CO2 emissions for the Scirocco are 189g/km (187g/km for the DSG version) and for the Golf, 199g/km (195g/km for the DSG). Both cars have features to set them apart from the rest of the range with new front bumpers with LED running lights and a trio of airdams, Xenon lights, gloss black wing mirrors,sill extensions and 18-inch five-spoke “Talladega” alloy wheels (with gloss black “R” calipers).

Inside you get new sports seats,piano black and white silver highlights,new three-spoke leather steering wheel and revised backlit dials. Volkswagen car leasing prices on these new models will be on the site shortly.

The prices, fuel economy and 0-62mph times