EV charging

A new EV charging installation in the city of Lincoln is being funded by Nissan, following a recent feature on the Top Gear show, highlighting the lack of electric vehicle charging points in the town centre.

In the TV programme, presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May drove a pair of electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, right into the centre of Lincoln in an attempt to find somewhere to charge their cars (with no success). They eventually had to charge at the University in the city, with cables dangling from a window.

Nissan responded to the feedback on the programme and now twin charging points will be installed, just in case the two presenters try it again. Councillor Fay Smith, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services and Public Protection at the City of Lincoln Council, commented,”The Top Gear programme highlighted the fact that Lincoln does not currently provide for electric cars and we’re really pleased that Nissan is now funding a charging point. We’re committed to reducing the city’s carbon footprint, but know that we can’t do it alone, so it’s great to see that private businesses like Nissan are getting behind this and putting in the infrastructure”. 

Charging via this EV point will be free for electric vehicle owners and if you are living in Lincoln and you are thinking of leasing a new Nissan LEAF, we have Nissan contract hire on the LEAF starting from £479+VAT on a three-year deal now.

Rupert Grint

Harry Potter star, Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series of films, has paid a flying visit to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, to take a look the “Flying” Ford Anglia which was featured in the “Chamber of Secrets”.

Ford Anglia

The Ford Anglia is on display for the whole of 2011 and while seeing his old vehicle, Rupert also visited the World of Top Gear Enormodrome to check out his 3rd place time for the 15th season of the show.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu includes the World of Top Gear exhibition plus the James Bond Experience. In addition you have Palace House plus the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey to visit and it is a great day out for all the family.

Skoda Yeti

The Skoda Yeti has picked up three awards in Total Off Road’s 4×4 of the Year awards winning the Crossover class, a Special Award for Value for Money and 4×4 of the Year.

Editor Alan Kidd said,”The Yeti is much more than just a great value 4×4. Its practicality is top-notch, it’s well made and well and equipped and it’s easy and fun to drive. Combine all that with what it can do off-road and you’ve got a capable, affordable adventure wagon with all the right kit and an off-the-scale fun factor. The Yeti is the ultimate family car-that’s why it’s Total Off Road’s 4×4 of the Year”.

The Yeti has been particularly popular with other magazines and has already won Car of the Year and Best Crossover Car in the 2010 Auto Express Awards and was also voted Top Gear magazine’s Family Car of the Year. A diesel Yeti on business contract hire starts from as little as £218+VAT per month on a four year contract and £243+VAT on three years.

Honda CR-Z

Top Gear has crowned the sporty Honda CR-Z as their “Green Car of the Year” in the 2010 Top Gear magazine awards. The car was tested in the bustling back streets of the Third Ring in China where it won over the judges with its agile handling and good fuel efficiency.

Top Gear summed up the CR-Z,”Of all the cars we’ve brought to China, CR-Z is far and away the one I feel most at home with- and most excited about. Compact, accessible and responsive, it’s a breeze to drive in this hectic and distracting place”.

Honda CR-Z

The Honda CR-Z has a fast-growing trophy cabinet and has already won What Car? Green Awards’ Best Sports car, Japan Car of the Year 2010-2011, Stuff magazine’s Eco Gadget of the Year title and Most Economic & Environment Friendly Sports HEV at the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge. Honda business car leasing on the CR-Z is available now off the site.

Fiat TwinAir engine

The Fiat 500 500 TwinAir city car has only been available since October and has already won a major UK award. The TwinAir has been awarded Engine of the Year from the 2010 Top Gear awards. The Top Gear judges described the TwinAir as “A little bundle of energy, charm and downright saintliness to prove our good old friend the gasoline engine is still alive and very much kicking….”

Fiat 500 TwinAir

The Fiat 500 TwinAir engine weighs only 85kg and emits just 95g/km of CO2 which is the lowest emissions of any quantity production petrol engine, yet it still produces 85bhp making it fun to drive with its responsive engine.

When compared to the 1.2-litre petrol engine in the Fiat 500, the TwinAir delivers 23 per cent more power yet manages to combine this with a 15 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. Fiat business car leasing on the TwinAir models are available off the site  now.

TR7 Coke Star

In the 1970s, Triumph and Coca Cola came together to present the “TR7 Coke Car” of which only three were ever made. One of these has been saved from the scrapheap and will be on display at the MPH – The Prestige and Performance Motor Show featuring Top Gear Live.

The “TR7 Coke Star” features Coca Cola red paint with a flowing white line down the side and across the bonnet. Inside you get blue denim upholstery with patch pockets on the door panels and sun visors. The car also has a 12-volt fridge in the boot, a TV in the glove compartment, sheepskin overmats and a full length weathershield sunroof.

Marketing Communications Manager for MPH featuring Top Gear Live said,”The MPH Show is not just about the latest in supercars, but also unearthing fantastic quirky cars from yesteryear and the TR7 fits the bill perfectly”. The MPH show takes place at Earls Court from November 4th-7th and the NEC in Birmingham between November 11th-14th.

Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux took on the volcano in Iceland with vehicles being used by scientists just hours before the volcano erupted at Eyjafallajokull in Iceland. The legendary Top Gear pick-up,which was the first car to be driven across the Artic to the Magnetic North Pole, took scientists to as close as they could get to monitor the volcano.

The Toyota Hilux was prepared by Artic Trucks has giant 38-inch tyres and once again proved its capacilities as an all-terrain vehicle coping with the rocky roads.

Skoda Superb Estate 4x4

Skoda has updated their Superb Estate 4×4 with a fourth generation Haldex clutch which transfers torque to whichever wheels have the most traction, by taking signals from the ABS sensors. The new models are available in a 1.8 TSI 160bhp and 3.6 V6 260bhp petrol engines as well as a 2.0 TDI CR 170bhp diesel.

The Superb Estate holds the title of  “Top Gear Magazine’s “Luxury Car of the Year” Award and adding four wheel drive is bound to add to its appeal. If you are driving in icy conditions or need a reliable and safe vehicle to tow a boat or a caravan then the Skoda Superb Estate is one to consider. Skoda car leasing prices should be loaded shortly.

Hilux pick up

Millions of television viewers saw the Toyota Hilux pick-up become the first car to be driven to the Magnetic North Pole, with Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson at the wheel.

If you fancy repeating this trip, Reyjavik-based Artic Trucks is offering trips of between two and five days through the wild landscape of Iceland.

The new 2010 Hilux 2.5 D-4D has been given a 20 percent increase in power and if you want to lease a new pick up, step up to the Invincible Double Cab where you can get the more powerful 3.0 D-4D engine.

Snow chains

Snow chains are compulsory for vehicles on most Alpine roads, however with the current UK weather conditions, many drivers may also be considering fitting them to get around, even on minor roads.

When fitting snow chains to your car you should always fit them to the driving wheels only and for 4×4 vehicles, usually the front wheels. They are hard to fit on slopes and it is best to fit them at designated chain fitting bays. It is also important to buy snow chains that comply with European legislation and from a reputable supplier.

Try www.top-gear.net/ who offer a wide range of products and advice on driving on snow, as a starting point.

Please note Comparecontracthire.com is not responsible for any external sites and you must ensure you check all arrangements (monetary) directly with any external supplier.