Alfa Romeo MiTo

Fiat has won the Engine of the Year award in the “Best New Engine of the Year category”, bestowed by an international judging panel of 65 specialist journalists from 32 countries. Developed and manufactured by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies) the new 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engines, with power outputs from 135bhp to 170bhp, now equip the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Giulietta, Fiat Punto Evo, Abarth Punto Evo and will soon be seen in the Fiat Bravo too.

Aldo Marangoni, FPT Product Engineering Vice President said,”This award is further confirmation of the Fiat’s Group acknowledged capacity for technological innovation.  Dean Slavnich, Co-Chairman of the Awards and editor of Engine Technology International said “Lots of power, combined with serious reductions in emissions makes this a very good engine. Then, when you look at the fuel economy, Fiat’s MultiAir turbo powertrain becomes a great engine – it’s easy to see why it has won Best New Engine for 2010″. Fiat business contract hire on the whole Fiat car and light commercial van range is on the site now, plus Alfa Romeo prices too.

Iveco EURODAILY

It is only a month since Iveco launched their new light commercial van which combined environmental credentials with great performance. The van is now being used at the G8 summit in L’Aquila , Italy with the electric version of the ECODAILY being used to support Italy’s Civil Protection department.

There are also 10 Iveco Massif 4x4s also being used for the more trickier terrain conditions. Completing the fleet line-up at the disposal of the G8 attendees are 80 Iveco Irisbus vehicles (50 coaches and 30 minibuses) plus Evadys, Proxys and Daily Tourys. All of the vehicles are part of a broader supply that the Fiat Group, in its role as the main sponsor, provided to support the G8 summit. Iveco contract hire prices are also available now on UK models.

Berlingo XTR+

A new Citroen Berlingo XTR+ light commercial van has been launched offering enhanced off-road capability. The van will be available in the UK in a choice of short and long panel vans, a platform cab and Crew Van, Ready to Run glass carriers and temperature controlled versions, plus dual fuel models. 

The Berlingo XTR+ is based on the Citroen Berlingo L1 625 1.6HDi 90hp LX van and is enhanced with the following key features:

- Sophisticated limited-slip differental.

- A raised, heavy duty suspension and revised steering geometry.

- Comprehensive under body protection.

-15-inch steel wheels with Michelin Synchrone 4×4 195/65 R15 tyres.

These enhancements offer much greater off-road capability but, thanks to the two wheel drive configuration, not at the expense of a higher capital cost or weight and running costs, normally associated wth four-wheel drive vehicles.

Berlingo XTR+

Robert Handyside, Citroen commercial vehicle operations manager, said, ” The new Berlingo XTR+ van is designed and engineered to suit the demanding requirements of operators in the utilities, forestry, construction and agricultural sectors. These customers require a reasonable degeree of off-road capability from their light vans, which otherwise spend the majority of their working lives on the road. Therefore, for most of these operators, it is essential that any off-road capability is provided without compromising on-road performance or incurring additional operating costs”

DVLA personalised plate 3 0 up for sale in June

Last week, the plate 1 D was sold for £352,411 at the DVLA Personalised Registrations auction. The last four auctions held by the DVLA have produced nearly £1.3 million on seven registrations alone. On Friday, 2 0 was sold for £142,249 and there are big hopes when 3 0 stars at the Wychwood Park, near Crewe in June of this year.

Damian Lawson, DVLA Personalised Registrations’ Marketing Manager said”  Last week’s auction got off to an incredible start with 1 D surpassing our previous record – 51 NGH set in 2006 – by more than £98,000. The underlying message from those buying our plates is that they’re making the purchases as investments”. 

It is llegal to misrepresent a vehicle registration on a number plate on a car or light commercial van. The rules governing their correct display can be found at www.dvlaregistrations.co.uk in the “Got a Question?” section.