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: 

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

Citroen DS3 Ultra Prestige

Citroen has just introduced the new DS3 Ultra Prestige to its UK range. The luxury, DS3 Ultra Prestige combines sophisticated style, a premium specification and the distinctive personality of the DS line range. It is powered by a sporty THP 155 petrol engine or a fuel and CO₂ efficient e-HDi 110 diesel with Stop & Start. The latter offers you 74.4 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km so is ideal as a company car.

The DS3 Ultra Prestige’s front seats are fitted with ‘watchstrap’ design seat upholstery in ‘Club’ leather and also sport a ‘crescendo’ colour effect that is entirely new and unique. Inspired by the world of fashion, the colour of the leather on the front seats gradually changes from white at the top of the seat back to black on the seat base.

Inside the cabin, the dashboard strip is covered in ‘Alpine’ white leather and embossed with the distinctive DS signature. The white colour dials also match the white of the interior detailing, for that extra styling effect. Ultra-thick protective mats are braided with double top-stitching in contrasting colours, plus leather trim is also fitted to the door panels and central armrest.

The vehicle specification is based on DSport trim level and the DS3 Ultra Prestige is available with a choice of two exterior body colours – Polar White and Thorium Grey. The car features a sports spoiler, dark-tinted side and rear windows and 17” charcoal-grey alloy wheels. The‘Ultra Prestige’ graphic (that covers the model’s black roof with the DS insignia) provides a range of colour contrasts, shifting from matt to gloss as the light changes. 

In addition to the DSport’s equipment specification (that already includes automatic digital air conditioning and a Bluetooth^® enabled Hi-Fi system), the DS3 Ultra Prestige gains Citroën’s integrated MyWay colour satellite navigation system, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps and windscreen wipers, electrically heated and folding door mirrors and an electrochrome rear view mirror. Features which are normally seen on a top-of-the-range executive car. Citroen contract hire leasing prices on the DS3 Ultra Prestige should be loaded soon.

OTR Prices

Audi A6 Avant allroad quattro

The Audi A6 all-terrain Avant promises to build on its predecessors’ go-anywhere appeal and is the third generation model. The A6 Avant allroad quattro is expected to open for UK orders in February, with first deliveries in the spring. Three engines will be available initially – 3.0 TFSI with 310PS, 3.0 TDI with 204PS and a 3.0 TDI with 245PS. The advanced third generation A6 allroad quattro also has four-level adaptive air suspension making its world debut and prices will start from £43,145 OTR.

The new car is 4.94 metres long, 1.90 metres wide and 1.47 metres tall and sits six centimetres higher than the standard Avant.  Total vehicle weight has been reduced by as much as 70 kilograms compared with the previous model, making the car much more fuel efficient.

The new A6 allroad quattro features extended side sills, more widely flared wings and vertical slats within the single-frame grille. Stainless steel guards protect the underbody of the car at the front and rear and the exhaust system ends in two large, flattened tailpipes, with roof rails mounted on double bars. Java Brown exterior colour is available exclusively for the new A6 allroad quattro.

Audi A6 allroad quattro

The luggage compartment has a capacity of 565 litres, with easy-folding rear seats which increase luggage capacity to 1,680 litres, and Audi will offer a wide choice of cost options for the new A6 allroad quattro.

The 3.0 TFSI engine is boosted by a supercharger and produces 310PS, which powers the A6 allroad quattro from 0 to 62mph in just 5.9 seconds, on the way to a limited top speed of 155mph. The combined economy figure is 31.7mpg.

The two diesel variants of the 3.0 TDI engine produce 204PS and 245PS respectively. The entry-level 204PS version returns a combined economy figure of 46.3mpg with 159 g CO₂/km emissions. All three engines are paired with the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The iconic quattro permanent four-wheel drive system ensures safe driving in all-terrain conditions and with the Audi drive select system, the driver can vary the function of the steering, the air suspension, the throttle pedal, the automatic transmission, the sport differential, the automatic air conditioning, the lighting and the adaptive cruise control.

The adaptive air suspension, which combines air suspension with controlled damping, comes as standard. It lowers the car body by 15 millimetres at high speed and raises it again by 35 millimetres at the push of a button.

This allroad mode is therefore suitable for use on rough terrain and you can also select a lift mode at low speeds. This additional ten millimetres enables the new Audi A6 allroad quattro to also handle irregularities in the road surface (road humps). There is also the hill descent assist function for steep downhill passages included as standard and this function limits the speed of the car to between 6mph and 12mph, depending on the surface. Audi A6 Avant allroad quattro contract hire prices should be loaded shortly.

CAP, the UK’s leading vehicle information provider, has just launched their Black Book Mobile application for iPhone, iPad and Google Android smartphones, enabling you to get instant access to used car values.

The Black Book Mobile downloads trade values once a month, so if you want easy access to a used car price at any point in time, you can access the information without the need for an internet connection. The mobile application provides all the information available in the standard printed Black Book but with the added benefit of vehicle valuations at more mileage points.

If you want a demonstration of the new products go to the CAP website via the following links

Android version is @ www.cap.co.uk/bbma.html

iPhone version is @ www.cap.co.uk/bbmi.html

BMW 520d EfficientDynamics

BMW’s new 520d EfficientDynamics saloon car builds upon the strengths of the standard 184bhp BMW 520d four-cylinder diesel saloon to offer class leading emissions, performance and fuel economy which makes this an ideal company car for any senior business executive.

The BMW 520d EfficientDynamics emits only 119g/km of CO2, returns 62.8 combined mpg, has a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 144mph (where permitted), so it ticks all the boxes for most company car drivers.

The BMW 520d EfficientDynamics and the other new 5 Series models in the range also come with the highest ever level of standard specification including Dakota Leather upholstery, Bluetooth telephone preparation, front and rear Park Distance Control, BMW’s new ECO-PRO mode and two-zone automatic air conditioning.

EfficientDynamics technologies include Auto Start-Stop, Optimum Gearshift Indicator, Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics, longer final drive ratio and low rolling resistance tyres on Streamline-design alloy wheels. BMW car lease prices on the 520d EfficientDynamics model starts from £348.46+VAT on a 4-year deal, 6+47 rental profile, non-maintained lease.

Renault Twizy Colour

Renault has confirmed the pricing and vehicle specifications for the Twizy Colour which is the third electric two-seater car in the range, between Urban and Technic. This new electric city-car is a production reality and will be available in the UK  from March 2012.

The car is priced from just £6,690, with monthly battery hire from £40 and is £260 more than the entry-level Urban and £450 less than the top-of-the-range Technic.

The colour scheme is a white bodywork with a choice of Urban Blue, Ivy Green or Flame Orange panels for the roof and sides. You can also get the car in black with orange panels, if you really want to stand out in the crowd.

Standard equipment includes 13-inch wheels, two gloveboxes, 3-metre charging cable, heated tinted windscreen, Z.E onboard computer, front airbag and immobiliser. The Twizy Colour is capable of up to 50mph and a full charge takes around three and a half hours, providing a range of 60 miles on an urban cycle.

New Civic

Honda has announced the prices and vehicle specifications for their new Civic with the entry-level 1.4-litre 100PS i-VTEC SE model starting from £16,495 on-the-road.

There will be a choice of three modern, powerful and fuel efficient engines- a 1.0-litre and 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol and the 2.2 i-DTEC diesel with four trim levels- SE, ES, EX and GT. Standard equipment across the range includes Honda’s Intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID) 5-inch dashboard screen which displays driving details, for example mpg, the idle stop status and audio settings.

In addition you also get a rear wiper, daytime running-lights and a headlight-off timer that keeps the lights on for 15 seconds after you lock the car. The entry level SE trim also gets 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air-conditioning and USB connectivity for MP3 devices.

All models come with a six-speed manual tranmission as standard with Idle Stop fuel-saving technology and the 1.8-litre petrol can be ordered with automatic transmission for an extra £1,385. Honda is also making options such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) available for the first time in the Civic range and first deliveries should be in the UK by January 2012.

Fiat Doblo Work Up - a compact dropside

Fiat Professional is launching a new compact dropside vehicle to the Doblo Cargo van range called the Doblo Work Up. This new model is a first for a volume manufacturer and because if its size and dimensions, it’s ideal for use in urban areas, perhaps by agriculture, construction, maintenance companies, or city park service sectors.

The load box is made of high-resistance steel with an anti-slip multilayer wood floor with aluminium sides, with a storage capacity compartment underneath for tools to be easily stowed. The load box is 2.30M long, 1.82M wide, with a 4M square of loading area, a payload of 1,000kg and in addition, on each side of the vehicle, there is a small step that provides easy access.

Engine choices are two Euro 5 turbodiesels, the 1.3 MultiJet 90 bhp and MultiJet 105 bhp, both including Start/Stop and a diesel particulate filter. These efficient and low CO2 engines offer a combined mpg of 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km for the 90 bhp version, and 49.6 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of 150g/km for the 105 bhp version.

Always important for commercial vehicle use, security on the new Doblo Work Up is unrivalled and the van also has ABS with EBD and front airbags as standard, with ESP and Hill-Holder as a cost option. High-tech equipment includes Fiat’s Blue&Me system and the Blue&Me TomTom Navigator is also available. We should be loading Fiat Doblo Cargo contract hire prices on this new model shortly.