VolkswagenCross Coupe Concept

Volkswagen is unveiling its new Cross Coupe Concept at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The Cross Coupe has been shown previously at the Tokyo Motor Show but this latest model has an even more frugal plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The Cross Coupe Concept is powered by a turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors with a combined fuel consumption around 157 mpg.

This translates into CO2 emissions of just 46 g/km, which is remarkable in a powerful SUV that has a top speed of 137 mph, 306 PS of power and a kerb weight of 1,858 kg.

Hyundai ix35 SUV

The Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi Style 5-door (2WD) is currently on offer on the site on Hyundai contract hire leasing from only £198.94+VAT per month (business users) or £240.73 including VAT for personal users. This smart looking SUV is an ideal family car and returns 48.7 combined mpg and has CO2 emissions of just 139g/km.

The terms of the Hyundai contract hire leasing offer are based on a 4-year contract, 10,000 miles in advance, non-maintained with a six-month initial rental. Other terms on this new car are available by filling out one of our Contact Forms.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 compact premium SUV has just been awarded the top rating among small SUVs in the “Small Off-Road 4×4″ class of EuroNCAP’s testing programme. In addition the Audi A6 range was also awarded five stars in its own EuroNCAP test.

The Audi Q3 received five stars, the highest possible score, for passive crash safety and the testers at EuroNCAP also assessed the Audi Q3 for its adult occupant protection in a frontal or side collision, child safety and pedestrian protection, returning a top rating of five stars too.

Audi Q3 Safety features

The Audi Q3 has a fasten seatbelt reminder for the front and rear seat passengers as standard. EuroNCAP also liked the specially-designed front end of the Q3, that helps to mitigate the consequences of a collision and offers greater pedestrian protection.

It also features a number of  other active safety options, for example the Audi side assist system activates at speeds above 19mph to help drivers change lanes on motorways and dual carriageways. Two radar sensors in the rear observe what is happening behind the Q3 to a distance of 70 metres.

If another vehicle is travelling in the blind spot or approaching rapidly, the so-called information stage is activated. A yellow LED indicator illuminates in the casing of the driver’s side mirror and you only see this when looking directly into the mirror. If you decide to activate the indicator to change lanes, the indicator becomes brighter and pulsates, warning you of the other vehicle.

Or you have Audi’s active lane assist that starts operating at speeds of 40mph and above. This uses a camera mounted in the base of the rear view mirror to detect lane markings on the road. It monitors up to a distance of more than 50 metres and a coverage angle of roughly 40 degrees. The course of the Audi Q3 is monitored between the lanes and if the car approaches a line without an indicator being activated, the system helps the driver to steer back into the lane by “intervening gently” in the steering.

Audi A6

The Audi A6 also picked up its own five-star rating in its Euro NCAP test, placing it among the safest cars in its class for adult occupant protection in a frontal or side collision and the child safety and pedestrian protection. 

It also features a number of active safety options, including the full range of Audi pre sense systems, lane assist, the head-up display, night vision assistant with pedestrian alert function, and Audi park assist, plus the adaptive light and high-beam assist systems are also available as cost options. Audi contract hire is on the site now for all new models.

The Audi Q3’s EuroNCAP test results can be found @

http://www.euroncap.com/results/audi/q3/2011/446.aspx

Mokka SUV

Vauxhall is set to unveil a brace of stunning new models at this year’s Geneva Show, including the world premiere of the Mokka SUV, Astra VXR and Insignia BiTurbo.

Astra VXR – the ultimate coupe

The Astra VXR is based on the GTC’s platform and powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection engine. This  stunning coupe produces 280PS of power which is enough for it to achieve a top speed of 155mph (where permitted).

Astra VXR

It has had a raft of bespoke chassis modifications and has a specially developed mechanical limited slip differential, which works on the front wheels. Working in conjunction with the GTC’s sophisticated HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut), the Limited Slip Differential (LSD) provides the new Astra VXR with exceptional grip and traction through bends.

It also features Vauxhall’s fully adaptive FlexRide system and in the Astra VXR, FlexRide features not only has a Sport button, but a VXR button, offering drivers the choice of two, more focused stages of damper, throttle and steering control.

Vauxhall’s Mokka – new SUV for the brand

Vauxhall’s new small SUV, the Mokka, will take the company into new market territory when it’s unveiled at Geneva and will enter the growing sub-compact SUV B-segment. Although it is only 4.28 metres long it can still accommodate five adults in comfort.

It will be available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, with the all-wheel drive system automatically transferring power to the wheels that need it most when grip levels are tested to the extreme.

The Mokka will come with three fuel-efficient engines, all equipped with fuel saving Start/Stop technology. The petrol range comprises a 115PS, 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine or a 140PS 1.4-litre Turbo or there is a diesel with a 130PS 1.7 CDTI turbo. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 CDTI can be combined with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The Vauxhall Mokka also brings latest technologies to the SUV B-segment, for example the Advanced Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+) which increases driving safety and is based on the third-generation bi-xenon lighting system that includes High Beam Assist (HBA). Vauxhall’s front camera system is also available on the car, giving you access to a number of other functions including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and Traffic Sign Recognition.

The Mokka has a muscular, rugged look about it and has a high ground clearance as well as a 1540mm track, with 18-inch alloy wheels standard on most models. It should be in Vauxhall showrooms by the end of 2012.

Insignia BiTurbo

The Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo is Vauxhall’s most potent diesel car ever, producing 195PS and emissions as low as 129g/km and is available with a choice of five-door Hatch and Sports Tourer bodies in SRi, SRi Vx-line and Elite trims.

The twin-sequential turbocharged diesel is based on the existing 1956cc unit which powers key models in the Insignia, Astra and new Zafira Tourer range. However when in BiTurbo form, this engine produces up to 35PS more power and a significant 50Nm of extra torque, reducing the 0-60mph time by nearly one second, to 8.2 seconds (Insignia FWD Hatch). It has a range of eco features, including standard Start/Stop across the range, with the FWD Hatch achieving a combined 57.6mpg for example.

Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive damping is also standard on all Insignia BiTurbos and on four-wheel drive models, FlexRide is integrated with the car’s Torque Transfer Device (TTD) and the rear axle’s electronically controlled Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD), offering you exceptional levels of traction, grip and control.

Click for further details

One of our car leasing partners has just loaded a great contract hire offer on the Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE+ 5-door SUV from only £255.41+VAT on a two year deal. This Honda contract hire offer is based on non-maintained business contract hire, 10,000 miles per annum, 6 months initial rental followed by 23 rentals (over a 24 month contract).

Other terms are available from our car finance partner and if you want any further details on this great 4×4, just fill out a Contact Form today. The image shown is for illustration purposes and may not represent the actual model.

City Emergency Braking on the up!

The Volkswagen up! is not even on UK roads yet, but it has just been awarded the title of What Car? Car of the Year 2012, as well as Best City Car, at the What Car? Awards.

Volkswagen had a successful night at the motor industry’s annual ‘Oscars’, which was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The Golf was voted the top Small Family Car category for the sixth time overall and fourth consecutive year, and Volkswagen also won the coveted Safety Award.

Commenting on the awards, What Car? editor-in-chief Chas Hallett said: ‘The Volkswagen up! sets new standards for a car at £10,000.  It’s a city car that can seat four adults, while offering new levels of refinement, quality and maturity at this price; none of its rivals feels quite so grown-up.  Buyers will be looking for even more for their money than ever in 2012, so the up! is a worthy winner of the What Car? Car of the Year.’

Meanwhile the Safety Award was in large part the result of the availability of Volkswagen’s new City Emergency Braking system on the up!.  The What Car? judges were impressed by this particular example of ‘big car’ technology filtering down to a smaller model and the system uses sensors to scan the space ahead. It then applies the brakes automatically if it detects that the car is about to hit an object in front. 

Director of Volkswagen UK, Chris Craft, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the awards we have received from What Car? this year.  The magazine continues to be one of the most thorough and important sources of new car buying information for UK customers and winning the overall Car of the Year accolade gives our new city car, the up!, the best introduction to the UK market that we could have hoped for”.

First models should arrive in UK showrooms in March and Volkswagen contract hire on the up! range is on the site now.

The full list of category winners at the What Car? Awards 2012 is below.

Click for the contract hire offer details

There is a two year contract hire deal on the site for personal customers, that looks appealing if you are looking for a brand new SUV. The Kia Sportage 1.6 GDi 1 5-door petrol manual is on the site from £269.19 including VAT on a two year contract hire offer, with full maintenance cover, 10,000 miles per annum, 6 rentals in advance.

The Kia Sportage is a great looking car and this model returns 44.1 combined mpg and emits 149g/km of CO2. Metallic paint colours will be an extra charge and other contract hire terms are available direct from our finance partner, so fill out a Contact Form for more information.

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 204PS

Audi has released the details of the new Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI 204PS lead-in model that offers you more luxury with more economy. The new Q7 3.0 TDI quattro 204PS model compliments the existing 3.0 TDI quattro 245PS versions and is available in Standard, SE, S line and new S line Plus spcification levels.

The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 204PS returns 39.2 combined mpg, has a CO2 emissions figure on 189g/km, reaches 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 127mph where permitted. It combines seven-seat practicality with quattro four-wheel drive plus variable height adaptive air suspension for genuine off-road capability.

While there are four trim levels it is the S line Plus specification that gives you all that you would look for in a luxury 4X4 SUV.  Standard vehicle options on the S line Plus include metallic paint, 21-inch alloy wheels, Verano leather upholstery, privacy glass, hard disc-based navigation with Google Earth mapping, in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, iPod connection, powered tailgate and Audi Parking System Advanced with reversing camera and running boards.

The UK OTR prices are as follows;

• Audi 3.0 TDI 204PS eight-speed tiptronic Standard – £39,995  
• Audi 3.0 TDI 204PS eight-speed tiptronic SE – £42,960
• Audi 3.0 TDI 204PS eight-speed tiptronic S line – £44,620
• Audi 3.0 TDI 204PS eight-speed tiptronic S line Plus £49,120

Mazda regenerative braking system

Mazda has developed a vehicle regenerative braking system that reduces fuel consumption by 10% and will showcase their new i-ELOOP system in the TAKERI concept car, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show. The TAKERI concept is the next-generation mid-sized saloon that also features a range of SKYACTIV Technology and the Japanese company’s “KODO-Soul of Motion” design theme.

A regenerative braking system uses an electric motor or alternator to generate electricity as the vehicle decelerates, which then recovers a proportion of the vehicle’s kinetic energy, to power climate control systems, audio and numerous other electrical components. The capacitor in the i-ELOOP system can also store large volumes of generated energy as well.

In stop-start driving conditions, Mazda is estimating the new i-ELOOP system (working in conjunction with Mazda’s “i-stop” idling stop technology) will cut fuel consumption by 10%. The name i-ELOOP stands for “Intelligent Energy Loop” and the first Mazda vehicle in the UK market to feature the full range of SKYACTIV technologies will be the Mazda CX-5 compact SUV, which should be launched in the spring of 2012.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe SUV

Volkswagen has revealed their new Cross Coupe SUV concept at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show and this all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid shows how a crossover, a four-door coupe and an SUV might look. This is also the first Volkswagen to showcase a new stage in Volkswagen engineering design with Volkswagen’s new “modular transverse matrix” (MQB).

The concept is longer than a Golf at 4,345 mm, but shorter than a Tiguan. The width is 1,868 mm and the height is 1,523mm and places this new concept in the popular A-segment class. It also promises good off-road credentials with a 24.2 degrees front angle approach and at the rear, 32.5 degrees and also has good off-road clearance.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe SUV

The four-seat Cross Coupe has a distinctive, Volkswagen design and is powered  by two electric motors (one front and one rear) and a TSI direct injection turbo petrol engine. With 265PS on tap the Cross Coupe reaches 0-62mph in just 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 125mph, plus it can travel 40 miles on pure electric power.