Toyota NS4 Advanced Plug-in Hybrid Concept Car

Toyota has unveiled its new NS4 advanced plug-in hybrid concept car at the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The NS4 concept signals a new styling direction for Toyota and the advanced power hybrid plug-in system features a reduction in size and weight, improved fuel economy, better acceleration, a longer all-electric range, while still maintaining a short charge time.

The NS4 concept has a human-interface machine (HMI) centred round a multi-touch screen that resembles a smartphone and conveys information to the driver quickly, while minimizing distractions. It also controls air conditioning, audio, battery-charge and navigation functions and even “learns” driver preferences to anticipate driver responses in a variety of situations.

Toyota NS4 Advanced Plug-in Hybrid Concept Car

Toyota has installed its latest safety system developments in the NS4 concept, including next generation pre-collision (PCS), adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights and blind spot monitor systems. Four new glass technologies are integrated into the windscreen, front and rear windows to improve driver mobility, fuel economy and electric driving mode efficiency. The new glass technologies are as follows;

• Rain-resistant ‘hydrophobic’ coating – Fluorine coated glass causes rain drops to form intosemispherical shapes for improved visibility and rain drop elimination.
• ‘Anti-fog’ coating – High performance resin material with anti-fogging characteristics and increased durability.
• High ultraviolet (UV) absorbing inner-layer – Removes 99 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays
• Anti-solar film with radio-wave transparency – Reduces the internal vehicle temperature and improves electronic device functionality

The inner and outer rear view mirrors have also been replaced by cameras displaying a panoramic view to the rear on a dashboard-mounted screen, providing the driver with a much wider field of vision compared to a normal rear view mirror.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota has released the first pictures of Yaris Hybrid ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2012. The new model brings together the packaging and agile handling of the Yaris, with Toyota’s innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.

Yaris is Toyota’s best-selling car in Europe and the Yaris Hybrid follows the launch of Auris Hybrid in 2010 as the second core Toyota model to feature full hybrid technology. The intention is to now introduce the powertrain to the largest volume segment in the European market. As the new flagship car of the Toyota Yaris range, it shares the same new-design “face” of Toyota but places greater priority on aerodynamic efficiency.

New Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Toyota has downsized its Hybrid Synergy Drive for Yaris, combining a new 1.5-litre petrol engine with a more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter and battery pack and the result is a system that is 20 per cent lighter than that used in the Auris Hybrid.

The location of the fuel tank and hybrid battery is under the rear seat and the Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as conventional petrol and diesel Yaris models. Automatic air conditioning and e-CVT automatic transmission are fitted as standard on the car, signalling that customers do not have to compromise on comfort in order to achieve low CO2 emissions performance.

New Toyota Aygo

Toyota has updated the Aygo for 2012 with a fresh new look and front end treatment with a wider front bumper, integrated fog lights and a large trapezoidal air intake. The new car will be unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show on the 10th of January 2012 and prices will be announced nearer the UK on-sale date. This is the first major revision to the Aygo since its launch in 2005 and the car now offers sub-100g/km of CO2 and fuel economy above 65mpg.

The car comes with dark-tinted rear privacy glass for both three- and five-door versions, new 14-inch wheelcap designs, plus a range of seven colour choices including a new metallic orange. Inside you get a new steering wheel design with leather trim and paddle controls on the steering column (for models using Toyota’s Multimode automated manual transmission).

Subaru Forester

The updated Subaru Forester has recently been named as ‘Junior Crossover of the Year’ by the specialist off-roading magazine, Total 4×4. The Forester is now available with a choice of revised petrol and diesel Boxer engines, faced stiff competition from the likes of a Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki SX4 and Skoda Octavia Scout. 

However, thanks to its Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive configuration, car-like driving dynamics and exceptional practicality, the Total 4X4 magazine judges singled-out the Japanese crossover for the highest praise, saying: “Typically of Subaru, the Forester does very good things without making a fuss of it. The combination it offers of quality, value, practical usability and driving talent makes it very hard indeed to beat.

The 2.0-litre Boxer diesel Forester range, which returns an impressive 47.9 combined mpg, starts at £23,070 (on-the-road) for the entry-level 2.0D X, rising to £25,070 for the 2.0D XC, and £29,070 for the range-topping 2.0D XS NavPlus. If you prefer petrol power you have a choice of two models – the Forester 2.0X and 2.0XS, costing £21,370 and £25,370 respectively in manual guise.  Automatic versions are available at a £1,000 premium and Subaru contract hire prices are on the site now.

Toyota Hilux

The rugged Toyota Hilux has picked up top honours at the Total 4X4 Awards winning “4X4 Pick-up of the Year”. Editor of Total 4X4 magazine, Alan Kidd, said,”Hilux has always stood out in what is a very fiercely fought category. It’s incredibly capable in every area and comes at a very appealing price”.

The latest version of the Toyota Hilux comes in three bodystyles, single, extra and double cab plus a choice of a 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre D-4D turbodiesel engine. This sixth-generation model combines robustness and excellent load-carrying capacity with comfort, safety and Toyota Hilux contract hire prices are on the site now.

E.ON chooses Hilux

E.ON, one of the UK’s leading energy companies, has just taken delivery of 12 four-wheel drive Toyota Hilux Double Cab pick-ups to reach any remote customers who lose their heating and hot water this winter. 

The legendary Toyota Hilux can cope with anything the winter throws at it this year and is available in Single, Extra and Double Cab body styles. Power comes from a 2.5-litre or 3.0-litre D-4D turbo diesel engine and the pick-up has shown consistently it can cope in all weather and terrains, even reaching the South and magnetic North Poles.

John Neilson, E.ON’s Technician Manager, said,”Being left without heating if your bolier fails this winter can be distressing and potentially life threatening for our vulnerable customers. Being equipped with the right vehicles to reach these customers no matter what the winter throws at us is vitally important”.

The 4WD system fitted to the Hilux allows the driver to shift from four to two-wheel drive with no speed restriction and also from two to four wheel drive at speeds up to 50mph. The Toyota Hilux also features Toyota’s Automatic Disconnecting Differential (ADD) which automatically engages or disengages the front axle drivetrain (when shifting from four to two wheel drive) to help improve fuel consumption and reduce noise levels in 2WD mode. Toyota contract hire prices for the whole Hilux range is on the site now.

Mitsubishi L200

The legendary Mitsubishi L200 has just been voted “Pick-up of the Year” 2011 at the recent Fleet Van Awards seeing off stiff competition from the Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok.

The L200 has led the way in the pick-up sector for many years remaining the market leader with a 30.5% share of the UK pick-up market and offers a wide range of pick-ups to suit the requirements of every commercial vehicle (or private) operator.

The judges at Fleet Van said,”The L200 won this award thanks to its greater range of derivatives and load bed options and level of availability. Mitsubishi offers all the options for all fleet requirements. The L200 is also strong on residual values, comes with a big range of horsepower options and enjoys strong back-up from the Mitsubishi dealer network. Add in competitive pricing and the L200 justifies its place as Pick-up of the Year”. Mitsubishi contract hire prices on the L200 pick-up range are on the site now.

Toyota GT 86

Toyota will unveil the eagerly waited Toyota GT 86 four-seater sports car at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show with a return to its sporting roots. The Toyota GT 86 has a 197bhp Subaru horizontally opposed, front mounted, 1,998cc petrol engine, coupled with Toyota’s D-4S injection technology, powering the rear wheels of the car.

It has MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear and rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, with ventilated disc brakes fore and aft. The car comes with either a six-speed slick manual transmission or six-speed automatic with paddle shift operation on the steering wheel and is an entirely driver-focussed, compact sports car.

Toyota GT 86

The lower grille has a “scorpion” look giving the GT 86 a powerful appearance and the rear spoiler, twin exhausts and the “86″ piston logo all convey the power of this new sports car. Inside the steering wheel is trimmed in buckskin for best performance and grip and the instrument cluster is arranged around a large tachometer.

The driver-focus of the cockpit is further enhanced by carbon-effect trim, all-black roof lining, red stitching on the upholstery, aviation style rocker switches and lightweight aluminium pedals. The Toyota GT 86 should go on sale in June next year when full details on pricing, vehicle specifications and accessory options will be released.

Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid

LeasePlan has just taken delivery of a brand new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, on loan, for internal staff and also for their customers to try out the car before its official launch next year.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a high capacity lithium-ion battery powering the electric motor and a 1.8-litre petrol engine combination, to offer CO2 emissions of just 49g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 134.5mpg. If you drive on electric power alone the range is 14 miles and a charge from a normal household socket takes 90 minutes.

David Brennan, managing director LeasePlan UK, said,”We have enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Toyota, and we are all excited to see what this innovative new model can bring to the table. This trial will represent another step in delivering the best possible value and innovation to our clients across the UK”.

BMW 3 Series

The UK’s largest vehicle reliability survey has been conducted by Fleet News with the top FN50 vehicle leasing companies (by fleet size), who run in excess of 1.2 million cars and vans. This annual analysis asks the leasing companies to rank the best vehicles and manufacturers for reliability, with tables then created for a top 10 for cars and a top 5 for vans (see below).

German brands have dominated the results this year for both the car and van category, with the BMW 3 Series the most reliable car (and top car brand), the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter knocking the Ford Transit off the top spot for most reliable van, with Volkswagen leaping ahead of Ford overall, in the van reliability league table.

Fleet News Editor, Stephen Briers, said, “BMW has built on its position as most reliable car manufacturer supplying the UK’s largest contract hire companies, adding another attribute to low CO2 emissions, modest overall running costs and rewarding driver behaviour and making its cars more desirable to fleet operators”.

Volkswagen vans

On vans, Stephen said,”Van reliability is arguably more important than car reliability as vital supply chains can be disrupted through unnecessary vehicle downtime. Volkswagen has demonstrated with its leading position as a van manufacturer, and high placing for its models, that fleet operators can choose its vehicles in confidence”

Most reliable cars according to top FN50 leasing companies

1. BMW 3 Series
2. Honda Accord
3. Volkswagen Golf
4. Audi A3
5. Toyota Avensis
6. Nissan Qashqai
7. Volkswagen Passat
8. Audi A4
9. Mazda6
10. BMW 5 Series

Most reliable car manufacturers

1. BMW
2. Audi
3. Honda
4. Volkswagen
5. Toyota
6. Nissan
7. Mercedes-Benz
8. Ford
9. Lexus
10. Skoda

Most reliable vans

1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
2. Ford Transit
3. Volkswagen Caddy
4. Ford Transit Connect
5. Volkswagen Transporter

Most reliable van manufacturers

1. Volkswagen
2. Ford
3. Mercedes-Benz
4. Fiat
5. Renault