New BMW X6

The BMW X6 is the world’s first ever Sports Activity Coupe and has now been updated for 2012. The new model combines the elegant lines of a coupe with the prestige of a BMW X model, with powerful petrol and diesel engines, fitted with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and the intelligent all-wheel-drive system xDrive, including Dynamic Performance Control.

The new BMW X6 gets a new front end with the standard fog lights now set in matt finish surrounds in the upper area of the outer air inlets. The striking three-dimensional modelling of the frame and newly designed bars, angled in the lower section, make the BMW kidney grille stand out even more, especially conspicuously within the vehicle front section.

Front headlights

The new BMW X6 is also the first vehicle in its segment to be fitted optionally with adaptive LED headlamps. Their bright white light ensures optimum visibility, while their high-quality visual appearance represents a new interpretation of the BMW brand’s hallmark twin circular headlamps. While in the new BMW X6 M, adaptive LED headlights are fitted as standard.

The external paint finishes for the new BMW X6 consists of two non-metallic and eight metallic colours, including Marrakech Brown metallic, Orion Silver metallic and Midnight Blue metallic. The standard equipment range also includes 19-inch light alloy wheels, and in the 8-cylinder model BMW X6 xDrive 50i, these now feature a new double spoke design in bi-colour. 

The standard interior leather trim Nevada is also available in the colour Vermilion Red and the exclusive nappa leather option with extended features now includes a choice between the colours Black and Ebony White. A three-seater rear bench is optionally available instead of the standard four seats and the luggage compartment volume is 570 litres and can be extended to up to 1,450 litres by folding down the rear backrests.

The petrol and diesel engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology available for the BMW X6 deliver impressive pulling power and impressive low fuel consumption figures. The V8 engine of the BMW X6 xDrive50i delivers 407 bhp, while in the BMW X6 xDrive35i an in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine with 306 bhp ensures a smooth, powerful, performance.

The in-line 6-cylinder diesel engines of the models BMW X6 xDrive40d and BMW X6 xDrive30d offer 306 bhp and 245 bhp respectively. Both engines offer not only impressively sporty power delivery but also low emission figures. The BMW X6 xDrive30d can also be fitted with optional BMW BluePerformance Technology as of spring 2012. 

BMW is also launching the BMW M Performance Automobile BMW X6 M50d and this car sets a new benchmark for pulling power and efficiency with a newly developed 381 bhp in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine. It offers unique triple turbocharging and provides the world’s most powerful standard in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine. This powerful diesel model has an acceleration rate of 5.3 seconds for the sprint from zero to 62mph.

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 Porsche Boxster

The new 2012 Porsche Boxster arrives in the UK this spring and sets the benchmark for the ultimate roadster. This new model is lighter, more efficient, more agile (revised chassis) has new flat-six engines and promises improved performance, as well as reducing fuel consumption by 15%.

The styling has shorter front and rear overhangs, forward shifted windscreen and a flatter silhouette, while inside the design offers the driver and passenger more space, with a new centre console (originating from the Carrera GT) taking centre stage.

Porsche Boxster S

The new power unit in the new Boxster delivers 265hp from the 2.7-litre engine (10hp more than the larger predecessor engine) and the 3.4-litre engine in the Boxster S now delivers 315hp (5hp more), with both models featuring a manual six-speed gearbox as standard. The seven-speed dual clutch Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) is available as an option.

The Boxster sprints from 0-62 in 5.7 seconds and the Boxster S in just 5.0 seconds and if you want to enhance the driving dynamics even further then opt for the Sports Chrono Package option, which is offered on the Boxster. Both models achieve their best fuel consumption with PDK, with the Boxster returning 36.7mpg and the Boxster S, 35.3mpg.

The Boxster comes with Alcantara interior, 18-inch alloy wheels, Auto stop/start, and Sports mode, remote control hood operation, audio CD with 7-inch colour touch screen control and an audio interface with MP3 connectivity. The Boxster S adds 19-inch wheels, partial leather interior and Bi-Xenon headlights and the new models will go on sale in the UK from April the 28th. Porsche contract hire on the new models will be loaded in due course.

New Lexus GS 250

Lexus has launched a further extension of its all-new luxury GS saloon car range with their new GS 250 which has just been showcased at the Guangzhou motor show in China. The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing. This luxury Lexus saloon car has a maximum 206bhp,  0-62mph time of 8.6 seconds, a top speed of 142mph (where permitted), CO2 emissions of 207g/km and the combined mpg figure is 31.7.

The engine is mated to a Super ECT-i close-ratio intelligent six speed automatic transmission, with a sequential manual shift function and also a Drive Mode Select option. This allows you to change the driving mode of the car to the road conditions, with Eco, Normal and Sport S modes available. If you opt for Adaptive Variable Suspension as an option you then get Sport S+ mode added to the drive mode functions.

The Lexus GS 250 is equipped with the same innovations and safety features as the new Lexus GS 450h and will be launched in the UK in June 2012 alongside its larger sibling. The safety provisions include Lexus’s advanced Pre-Crash Safety system, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lexus Night View. Further details and vehicle specifications of the new Lexus GS 250 will be released closer to the launch date.

BMW X3 new models

BMW has just added two new more powerful models to the BMW X3 range following the successful launch of the BMW X3 xDrive20d back in 2010. The two new models are the xDrive30d and xDrive35d which offer a much higher specification with greater power and performance.

Standard specification includes metallic paint, eight-speed automatic gearbox and Dynamics Stability Control with “extended features”. The DSC system extended features offers brake drying, brake fade compensation, brake pre-tensioning and hill-start assistant.

If you opt for the X3 xDrive SE model you also benefit from 18-inch V-spoke light alloy wheels, Sport leather steering wheel, while the MSport adds Sport automatic transmission with M Leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles.

Performance as you would expect from BMW is superb with the flagship xDrive35d producing 313hp, a 0-62mph time of just 5.8 seconds yet still, thanks to BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, offering you 46.3 combined mpg. CO2 emissions are 162g/km so if you are looking to get under the 160g/km tax threshold the BMW X3 xDrive30d may be a better option with Co2 emissions of 159g/km. BMW contract hire on the new models are on the site now.

Overview of the models 

Saab 9-3 Aero Sportwagon MY12

Saab has announced its pricing and specifications for their Saab 9-3 MY12, offering a refreshed exterior and interior styling with a generous level of standard of equipment across the range. There are also two new petrol engines and the new model year now offers the most powerful sub 120g/km diesel saloon and estate in its class.

All MY12 9-3 models come with automatic dimming mirrors inside and also outside of the vehicle,electric folding mirrors and automatic rain sensing wipers. This is in addition to alloy wheels, leather trimmed interior, heated front seats, park assist, six airbags, and Bluetooth phone integration.

The two specification levels are SE and Aero and the new fresh look is distinguished at the front by new front bumpers, “ice block” headlamps and a new grille. At the rear, all Saloon variants now get a boot-mounted spoiler. The two new 2.0-litre petrol turbo engines produce 163bhp and 220hp and both are available in six-speed manual and automatic transmission. The new 220hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo Aero Saloon and Sportwagon is now the most powerful sub 160g/km petrol engine on the market.

However, the likely fleet favourite is probably going to be the 119g/km 9-3 1.9-litre manual twin-turbo diesel in Saloon or Sportwagon, with its class-leading emissions and powerful performance for a sub 120g/km car. Saab contract hire leasing prices on the models will be on the site shortly.

New Corsa

Fuel prices are on the up again and so it is great to see the latest Vauxhall Corsa range gain a 13% improvement in fuel economy. The changes to the engine powertrains will provide, on average, a 13.2% increase in fuel economy plus the chassis has also been improved to provide a better ride.

Five out ot the six engines on offer also emit less than 125gkm CO2 emissions. The star of the range is of course the 95PS diesel ecoFLEX model which achieves 76.3mpg on the combined fuel cycle and a 98g/km CO2 figure. Engine options in the range are a 1.0-litre, 1.2-litre,1.4-litre petrol and 1.3-litre and 1.7-litre  diesels.

The trim changes are as follows and now come in line with the Astra and Insignia.

Life becomes S

Club becomes Exclusiv

Design becomes SE

SXi and SRi remain unchanged.

The full vehicle specifications should be loaded shortly.

LRX Concept

Land Rover has confirmed that a full production model of the exciting new LRX concept car will be built next year, joining the Range Rover line-up in 2011.

Designed at Gaydon, the new car will be built at the Halewood plant in Merseyside, subject to various quality and productivity agreements being reached. Phil Popham, managing director at Land Rover said,”The production of a small range Rover model is exciting news for our employees, dealers and customers. Feedback from customer research also fully supports our belief that a production version of the LRX Concept would further raise the desirability of our brand and absolutely meet their expectations”.

More details of the new small Range Rover will be released next year with full vehicle specifications.

New Golf R

Volkswagen has produced the fastest ever accelerating Golf to date with the launch of the new Golf R, which has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Golf R is equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI four-cylinder engine developing 270PS and comes in four-wheel drive.

This car is more powerful and economical than the 3.2-litre V6 found in the Golf R32 and reaches 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. Coupled to the DSG automatic gearbox (and when the top speed is limited to 155mph) this figures falls to 5.5 seconds. The car also returns 33.2 mph on the combined fuel cycle and emissions fall from 257g/km to 199g/km.

Golf R rear view

The new Golf R looks different to the conventional GTI as it is fitted with new front and rear bumpers complete with LED lights at the front and at the back a gloss black diffuser houses the twin exhausts.

The car also gets a new black grille and wing mirrors and comes as standard with 18-inch five spoke alloy wheeels.

Inside the Golf R gets “R” kick plates and new seats finsihed off in Alcantara contrasted with black mesh cloth. The car should be launched in the UK in December and prices and full vehicle specifications will be launched shortly.