All-new Kia Rio

The fourth-generation all new Kia Rio will go on sale on the 1st September and this brand new model has a modern design and industry leading fuel economy. It promises the lowest CO2 emissions of any non-electric vehicle on sale today with the 1.1-litre CRDi starting at 85g/km of CO2.

The new Kia Rio will be available in four engines (two petrol and two diesel), including the 1.1-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel above.  This model is fitted with 15-inch wheels and comes with Intelligent Stop & Go engine technology, low rolling resistance tyres, a drag-reducing front grille, gearshift indicator, rear spoiler and in addition to its low CO2 emissions it also offers you 88.3mpg on the combined fuel cycle.

Four trim grades are available with the entry level “1″, standard features pretty impressive. The entry level “1″ comes with daytime running lights, body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, speed-variable front wipers, headlamp levelling, front electric windows, height adjustable driver’s seat, trip computer, and an MP3-compatible RDS radio and CD player with USB and AUX ports, to name just a few.

All-new Kia Rio

In terms of safety, all the new Rio models have electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA), in addition to emergency stop signalling (ESS). The car also has Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) to stop you rolling backwards when you start off on a hill.

Longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model the all-new Rio has a modern design and coupe-like roofline plus inside the cabin is clean and sophisticated, with refined materials and a feel of a more premium product. The luggage area is 100mm wider as well, with an overall capacity of 288 litres and the 60:40 split folding seats give you the extra cargo space when needed. Kia car leasing UK rentals on the new models will be loaded shortly and don’t forget the Kia also comes with a seven-year warranty as well.

The full range of the all-new Kia Rio

2012 Honda Civic in disguise

The new 2012 Honda Civic will feature a much cleaner and economical diesel engine with CO2 emissions expected to be around 110g/km (a drop of 29g/km). The improved 2.2-litre i-DTEC engine is more powerful too, with a 10PS improvement over the outgoing engine, yet fuel economy improves.

The new model comes with Idle Stop (start/stop) technology and the engine has been enhanced with oil flow through the engine carefully managed to reduce circulation, plus other engine components have been changed to reduce friction. The car has also been through extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure it has the best possible aerodynamics, reduced drag and also high-speed stability.

If you are interested, Honda has also placed the second of five films on the development of the new Civic online at their website @ www.honda.co.uk/newcivic  where engineers discuss the i-DTEC engine and the new CO2 technology. The new car will also be on show at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Fiat offers low CO2 cars

Fiat has set new standards in low CO2 emissions having the lowest volume weighted CO2 emissions, according to leading automotive and consulting firm, JATO Dynamics. Fiat Automobiles recorded a CO2 average of just 123.1 g/km placing it at the top off all manufacturer brands for the fourth year running. They are also well ahead of the European target of 130 g/km, which is due to be met by all car manufacturers by 2015.

Fiat also ranked first among the motor groups with a figure of 125.9 g/km and this takes into account all their luxury brands including Ferrari and Maserati. Fiat has had a long-term eco-strategy with technical innovations such as MutliAir, MultiJet and TwinAir engines plus Start&Stop, electronic traction management (Dualogic robotised transmission) and their eco:Drive in-car software. Fiat business contract hire leasing on all Fiat car and van models is on the site now.

Saab PhoeniX concept car

Saab has unveiled their exciting and innovative Saab PhoeniX concept car which looks set to shape the styling of future generation of cars from Saab. The new architecture will underpin the next Saab 9-3 model and Saab is also introducing their “aeromotional” design, which is inspired by Saab’s aviation roots.

Future Saab styling

The PhoeniX has a “liquid metal” teardrop look with a dramatic jet-canopy inspired glasshouse, with butterfly doors giving easy access to the 2+2 cabin. The car is powered by a 200hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo engine driving the front wheels with an electrically-driven rear axle, giving you hybrid all-wheel-drive capability.

This combination offers CO2 emissions at around 119g/km and a combined mpg of 56.5, coupled with a dynamic driving experience.

All-new Kia Rio

Kia has released the first official photos of the all-new Kia Rio which will debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month. The new Kia Rio will go on sale in the UK from September as a five-door version with the three-door available from early 2012.

Rear side view

The new Rio has a new twist on the Kia family look giving it much more dynamic stance. It is also longer with the wheelbase being extended by 70mm and Kia promises better passenger space and comfort with the cargo space increased to 292 litres for the hatchback.

The inside promises a high of level of quality associated with larger models and the Rio also gets an exclusive range of super efficient and low CO2 petrol and diesel engines.

This will include a 1.1-litre diesel unit generating 70 ps with CO2 emissions from as low as 85g/km. There will also be a new high-performance 1.2-litre Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine but this is not out until 2012. Full vehicle specifications and prices on the new Kia Rio will be launched nearer the on-sale date.

Ford Mondeo

The updated Ford Mondeo was awarded Best Family and Estate Car 2011 at the recent What Car? Awards. The model has only been out for a few months and this accolade is a welcome addition to the Ford trophy cabinet. The Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140PS Zetec picked up the Best Family Car Award and Steve Fowler, editor-in-chief of What Car?, said,”The latest Mondeo is a simply a brilliant car-and now even better value. It does everything brilliantly and nothing badly-whether you choose the hatch or estate you’ll be getting a spacious, high quality, affordable car that’s more fun to drive than you’d expect for a family car to be”.

The new Ford Mondeo comes with LED lights, a revised bonnet profile and full chrome window surround, with LED lighting continuing on the inside of the car as well. There is a multi-media DVD system and 265-watt sound system to a lane departure warning and speed limiter also on offer. The new powertrains are extremely efficient with the 1.6-litre TDCi engine, fitted with start-stop, returning as much as 65mpg and with CO2 emissions at just 114g/km it is a low CO2 tax car efficient too.

New Astra ecoFLEX

Vauxhall is introducing an ecoFLEX model to the Astra range promising low CO2 emission of 109g/km  and 67.3 combined mpg. The Astra ecoFLEX hatchback will be the first range to get the new improved 1.3 CDTi 95PS diesel engine which has recently been seen in the new Corsa.

The diesel engine is paired with a five-speed transmission, with new gear ratios to offer improved fuel economy and it also features a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). This model is also going to be available in the five-door SRi model as well, thereby offering sporty looks and great economy and is also available in the standard S, Exclusiv and SE trims.  With its low CO2 and great fuel economy it is bound to be a favourite with  fleet company car drivers.

New Vauxhall Meriva

The new Vauxhall Meriva is set to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March and promises to set a new benchmark in family-car usability, with its combination of clever rear-hinged back doors which improves access plus other unique cabin features.

The FlexDoors are hinged back doors which swing open towards the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degrees, giving easy access for passengers sitting in the back when getting in or out of the car.

Most importantly these doors can only be opened when the car is stationary and an automatic door locking mechanism activates once the car moves off.

Inside the cabin, Vauxhall’s FlexRail system provides a variety of modular storage and comfort solutions plus the FlexSpace system allows easy fold-down of the rear seats, when carrying an extra load for example.

New Vauxhall Meriva

The engine line-up will feature six turbocharged units with power outputs ranging from 75 to 140PS plus a high mpg/low CO2 ecoFLEX model will also be introduced. More details will be released  close to the debut at Geneva.

Audi A3 99g/km

Audi has launched a new ultra-economical, low CO2 version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI. This frugal Audi offers you a combined mpg figure of 74.3 so it will also be kind on your pocket as well.

The performance is good too, with the turbocharged diesel engine reaching 0-62mph in only 11.4 seconds.

The new car is available in three-door only with a five-speed manual transmission and with Standard trim only. This Audi A3 vehicle specification includes 15-inch 7-arm design alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows with a Chorous single CD player. Audi car leasing prices will be loaded shortly.

CLICK TO QUOTE

You want a sporty coupe but also need excellent fuel economy and a low CO2 . The Seat car leasing offer currently on the site is for a Seat Ibiza Diesel Sport Coupe 1.4 TDi Ecomotive 3-door from £162+VAT. This coupe from Seat also offers you an amazing combined mpg of 76.3 and a CO2 emissions figure of only 98g/km - it’s a really low CO2 car.

The Seat car leasing terms are based on the following;

- Non-maintained business contract hire over three years at 10,000 miles per annum.

- Only three rentals in advance followed by 35 subsequent rentals. (38 payments in total)

- “With maintenance”, metallic paint and other vehicle options can be added at an extra cost.

- The image shown may not represent the exact model.