New Honda Civic

The all new 2012 Civic advert hits TV screens to coincide with the car arriving at Honda showrooms, with customer test drives available from today, the 1st February.

The TV campaign can also be viewed on Honda’s youtube channel www.youtube.com/hondacivicuk and the advert follows the spark of an idea from conception in the Honda factory, the development of the car, before finally resulting in the new Civic being launched.  

Martin Moll, Head of Marketing, Honda (UK), commented “Our dealers are incredibly excited about taking the launch activity to the next phase and get customers in the car. Everyone here at Honda (UK) is looking forward to receiving customer feedback and we are confident it will be even more successful than its predecessor.”

“We have timed the launch of the TV advert to coincide with the first cars arriving in showrooms to really maximise awareness. The advert is a synopsis of the unknown journey the engineers took to continuously improve the Civic and is brought to life in a dramatic reveal of the new model at the end.” 

The Honda Civic is now in its ninth generation and prices start from just £16,495 for the entry-level 1.4-litre 100PS i-VTEC SE, with trim levels of SE, ES, EX and EX GT available. All models offer comfort, convenience and new technology as standard with Honda contract hire prices on the site now.

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:

Fiat Punto GBT

Fiat has now announced pricing for the Model Year 2012 Fiat Punto with a starting price of just £9,990 OTR for the Pop 1.2 8-valve, the new car, which goes on sale in the UK this month. At the top end of the revised Fiat Punto range, you have the highly specified Lounge 1.3 MultiJet version, which costs £15,600 OTR. This model features automatic dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel, front fog lamps, seven airbags, cruise control, ambient interior lighting and electric sunroof as standard.

The 2012 Fiat Punto will be available initially with a choice of six low emissions Euro 5 engines – and with a TwinAir version coming in April – all fitted with Start&Stop as standard. It also comes in a more simplified line-up of three trim levels, similar to the Fiat 500 and forthcoming new Panda – Pop (base), Easy (mid) and Lounge (high). As an extra addition, Fiat also has a sports version based on the Easy level grade called GBT.

The new Punto adds two new engines to the range – an 85hp version of the MultiJet diesel engine and the acclaimed Engine of the Year 85hp TwinAir. The full list will comprise: 1.2 8-valve petrol (69hp), 1.4 8-valve petrol (77hp), 1.4 16-valve MultiAir petrol (105hp and 135hp), TwinAir 0.9-litre petrol (85hp) and 1.3 16-valve MultiJet diesel (75hp and 85hp).

The external styling changes of the 2012 Fiat Punto incorporate fully colour coded front and rear bumpers, while three new exterior colours are introduced: Brit Pop Blue, Tango Red and Underground Grey. Inside you get new sportier seat fabrics and a refreshed dashboard. Standard vehicle equipment in the entry-level Pop model includes remote central locking, electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags, window airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, electric power steering and height-adjustable driver seat.

Easy trim level adds such equipment as leather steering wheel, 15-inch alloy wheels, and air conditioning. The GBT level additionally gets sport suspension, rear spoiler and side skirts, while the Lounge model adds climate control, front fog lamps, cruise control, ambient interior lighting and electric sunroof.

On the road pricing for the range is as follows and Fiat contract hire prices will be loaded soon:

Skoda MissionL

SKODA’s is attending the 2012 Qatar Motor Show where it will be showcasing their MissionL concept saloon. This car is a close-to-production concept and reveals the future design direction for the SKODA brand. The visit to the Qatar Motor Show also demonstrates their future international growth strategy plans.

The new compact MissionL saloon will be launched in late 2012 and will extend the model range of the brand in a new segment between the Fabia and Octavia models. The MissionL is destined for Qatar as well and SKODA aims to substantially increase their global sales of all car models to at least 1.5 million units per year, by 2018. In addition to the MissionL, SKODA is also displaying the latest Fabia, Octavia, Yeti and Superb models at the show.

The MissionL concept saloon impresses with its clear and precise lines with the front showing SKODA’s new brand design. The revised and freshened-up SKODA logo is now prominently positioned on the bonnet’s rounded front end and the grille sports a chrome frame and is made of vertical plate fins. There is also a black transparent glass roof that spans across the car’s interior with the cockpit conveying its spaciousness thanks to its horizontal arrangement.  

If you are interested in leasing a brand new Skoda car then we have the full Skoda model range on the site on contract hire.

New generation Hyundai i30

Hyundai has just announced the UK prices and vehicle specifications for its New Generation i30 bringing style, efficiency and exceptional comfort to the compact family car segment. Prices for the new car start at £14,495 on-the-road with insurance group ratings from Group 7E.  Blue Drive technologies are now standard on all 1.6 CRDi manuals with CO₂ emissions from just 97g/km and fuel economy up to 76.3mpg.

The New-Generation Hyundai i30 is the lowest priced diesel five-door hatchback with the highest fuel economy in its segment and with 128PS and sub 100g/km from its 1.6 CRDi engines, this new car offers no compromise between power and emissions output. The cars as always come with a very level of standard specification.

The new generation Hyundai i30 is available in four main trim levels including Classic, Active, Style and Style Nav, plus you also have the choice of either petrol or diesel engines and manual or automatic transmissions. The clean and efficient Blue Drive technologies come on all 1.6 CRDi manual models as standard and features Intelligent Stop & Go Technology. 

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO Hyundai Motor UK, says: “The new generation i30 represents another leap forward in terms of Hyundai’s design, refinement and build quality. Coupled with Hyundai’s generous standard specification along and industry leading back-up service and support in the form of the Five Year Triple Care assurance, the new generation i30 truly represents the complete package for customers looking for a high-quality vehicle at an affordable price.”

New Hyundai i30

Some of the new standard vehicle options on the new generation i30 include voice-activated Bluetooth®, LED daytime running lights, multi-function steering wheel, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and one-touch indicators. Safety systems added as standard across the range also include Vehicle Stability Management, Emergency Stop Signal and Hill-start Assist Control.

The Active trim level, adds 15” alloys, cruise control, rear parking sensors and Hyundai’s new dynamic Flex Steer^TM system, which gives the driver the option of three settings namely: Comfort, Normal and Sport. All ‘Style’ models will benefit from 16” alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, front parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, cornering lights, automatic headlights, automatic de-fog system for front windscreen and electrically folding door mirrors with LED indicators. Topping the i30 trim range will be Style Nav, which brings a fully integrated touchscreen satellite navigation system and rear view parking camera.

Full pricing details for the New Generation i30 are as follows: 

Toyota iQ Pulse

The Toyota iQ has always been a popular city car and you can now add colourful decal designs and new leather seat upholsteries to the specification of your brand new vehicle, to really personalise it to your requirements. There are literally hundreds of possible permutations, allowing you to put your personal stamp on your new car.

The Toyota iQ delivers a four-seater in a body in car that is less than three metres long, so is an ideal car for city driving. There are now eight external paint colours, six leather combinations and six roof and body decals with hundreds of possible variations, with some unique designs on offer.

Decals

The decals extend from a classic monochrome Check to a psychedelic multicolour Swirl, with other options such as Box (a scattering of colourful quadrilaterals), Bloom (retro daisies), Pulse (a swoosh of grey strokes) and Aqua (a flow of bubbles). Each decal design can be specified separately for the roof and sides of your new car.

Customised leather

Leathers

The six leather options match Nappa leather upholstery for all four seats with toning – or contrasting – stitching and fillet inserts around the shoulder area. The combinations are as follows:

• Black leather with platinum fillets and stitching
• Platinum leather with black fillets and stitching
• Red leather with platinum fillets and stitching
• Black leather with Electric Blue fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest
• Black leather with Burnt Orange fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest
• Black leather with red fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest

Prices

The new vehicle options are available now and can be specified for all versions of iQ, with the leathers priced £775, side decals £200 and roof decals £180, all inclusive of VAT. The customisation is only available for new vehicles i.e. you can’t “retro-fit” to an existing Toyota iQ. Contract hire prices for the Toyota iQ range are on the site now.

2012 Scenic

The new Renault Scenic 2012 will be ready to order from the 23rd January, with prices starting from £18,325 on-the-road (Scenic) and £19,725 (Grand Scenic).  The car gets a revised look for 2012, including a more contemporary front styling on both Scenic and Grand Scenic, plus gloss black and chrome detailing, standard LED daytime running lights and new rear lights as well. The new 2012 Scenic range also sees two new body colours added, Azzurro Blue and Damask Red.

To keep things nice and simple, the new Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic 2012 is launched with just only trim level – Dynamique TomTom.

Grand Scenic

Some of the new standard vehicle options added for 2012 include rear parking sensors and LED daytime running lights, 16” alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth™, cruise control, Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation. There will also be the option of adding Renault’s Visio System (lane departure warning and automatic high/low beam headlight function), plus Hill Start Assist, if you require.

Two new fuel efficient engines debut in Scenic in the  2012 range, the 1.2 TCe 115 petrol and 1.5 dCi 110 Stop & Start, both offering impressive performance, economy and emission figures. The diesel for example offers a class-leading 68.9 mpg (combined cycle) and emits only 105 g/km CO₂

If you are interested in some of the options available, there is a new Luxe Pack on all versions of the Dynamique TomTom (except the 1.6 VVT 110). The Luxe Pack offers some impressive extra equipment which is worth much more than its £1,500 price tag.  This includes 17” ‘Sari’ alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, BOSE Energy Efficient sound system with nine speakers, digital amplifier, sliding centre console, electrically folding door mirrors and the Visio System.

New Twingo

The New Twingo city car has just gone on sale in UK, with the Dynamique 1.2 16V 75, priced from just £10,350 on-the-road. The New Twingo has improved styling at the front (with new Renault design DNA identity), plus a revised bumper, tailgate and new rear lights. Yet it is the ‘eyelids’ of the headlights that really contribute to new Twingo’s distinctive looks.

There are also a wide range of cost options on offer, including climate control, electric panoramic sunroof (fabric version available from April), two Option Packs and long list of accessories, for you to really personalise your new car. It is available with new colours called Fuchsia and Bermuda Blue, which are added to the seven existing body colours, plus there are eight different alloy wheel options.

In the UK, the New Twingo will be powered by the 1.2 16V 75 engine, boasting 55.4 mpg in the combined cycle with CO₂ emissions of 119g/km, resulting in nil road fund licence for the first year (and £30 from year two), if you are buying/owning the car. Don’t forget with contract hire, the road fund licence is included in the rental you pay each month. 

The new audio system is improved with Bluetooth functionality, together with audio streaming with USB connectivity as standard (from March). This makes it really easy for you to play digital music and the audio system can also be used as a docking station for the latest-generation iPhone and iPod Touch®.

Inside the car it has separate, independently sliding, 50/50-split rear seats, with the boot capacity extending from 230 to 959 dm³. In addition, there are numerous storage spaces, making this city car ideal for town driving.

Renault is also planning to have a new microsite to demonstrate the customisation programme and this will be available via www.renault.co.uk from February and will be divided into four sections: stickers, door mirror housings, spoilers, alloy wheels. Details for New Twingo Renaultsport 133 will be released closer to launch, in April 2012

If you are thinking of leasing a brand new car for the new 12-plate registration in March, don’t assume if you order now your new car will arrive on time. Vehicle lead time and availability will vary tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer.

The more accessories you add to your car specification, may also cause a delay to your vehicle delivery (lead time). It can be so frustrating to spend hours deciding on the exact car you want, colour (both inside and out) and your bespoke accessories, to then be told that it is “16 weeks and a factory order”.

So if you are thinking of leasing a brand new car, order as soon as you are able, for your new 12-plate registration.

New Citroen DS5

If you fancy spending the weekend in St. Tropez, driving the new Citroen DS5, then Citroen is running a competition for five lucky winners. You will experience the DS5 first-hand and your driving reviews will also be placed on video on Facebook too.

The five lucky winners will spend the weekend in the exclusive Riviera with flights and five-star hotel accomodation all included. The theme of the weekend is called “The Refined, Redefined” and the lucky winners will take part in a series of fun activities and experiences, with filming taking place to record the weekend’s events.

If you want to enter the competition, you need to write 50-100 words on why you think you should be one of the first to drive the brand new Citroen DS5. The competition closes on the 31st January 2012 and the winners and guests will fly out on Friday the 10th February, returning on Sunday the 12th February.

Full details can be found @ www.facebook.com/citroenuk and click on the DS5 Star Experience tab.