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.

Vauxhall Vivaro

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has reported that it sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other commercial vehicle manufacturer, according to the figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The Luton-based manufacturer sold 11,436 vans to small businesses last year, with sales up 28.05 per cent in a market up 8.32 per cent.  The Vauxhall Vivaro was the best selling van in the retail medium van segment with sales up 58.05 per cent year-on-year.

“Last year proved to be an excellent year for Vauxhall van sales,” said Richard Collier, Vauxhall’s National Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager.  “It’s fantastic news for Vauxhall that despite the uncertain economic outlook there’s still strong demand for fuel efficient, high quality vans with low running costs and excellent manufacturer support.”

The latest edition to the Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles range, the all-new Combo, is due next month and Vauxhall contract hire is on the site now on all the current van range.

Volvo XC60

1. Volvo XC60 Diesel D3 163bhp DRIVe ES 5-door with Start Stop – List Price £26915
2. Vauxhall Antara Diesel Estate 2.2 CDTi Exclusiv 5-door 2WD – List Price £18975

If you have spare cash you could probably walk into any dealership and negotiate a discount off the recommended manufacturer list price but this will not help you when you look at how much money your brand new vehicle will lose over time, or how much money you can save by looking at contract hire.

The difference in List Price for the two vehicles is nearly £8,000 and you might not believe it but the contract hire monthly rental on the same terms is near enough the same at £287.68 excluding VAT for the Vauxhall Antara and £287.40 excluding VAT  for the Volvo XC60.

The two prices above are based on a two year contract, 6 rentals in advance, non-maintenance contract hire at 10,000 miles per annum. Please note these rentals may change at any time.

Why is the rental nearly the same when the cost difference is nearly £8,000 if you buy outright?

There are a number of factors but the main two are as follows.

1. The Volvo XC60 has a better resale value in 2 years with 20,000 miles on the clock, than the Vauxhall Antara.
2. The leasing company may have negotiated a better fleet discount for the Volvo XC60.

So before you buy a car, see what the contract hire rental is for your final vehicle choices, as you can protect yourself from vehicle depreciation and also drive a better car than you think.

CLICK for business car leasing offer

The Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Exclusiv diesel 5-door hatchback is currently on offer on the site from only £216.98+VAT on business car leasing. This great fleet car returns 60.1 combined mpg and emits only 124g/km of CO2 emissions so is an ideal company car for any fleet driver.

The Vauxhall Insignia business car leasing offer is based a on 4-year term, 6+47 rental profile, non-maintained lease at 10,000 miles per annum with other contract terms available from our car finance partner. Metallic paint colours available at an extra cost.

Whole Life Cost Calculator

Vauxhall has just launched a new Whole Life Cost Calculator for fleet decision-makers and company car drivers, to help them make informed decisions on choosing new vehicles.

The new Whole Life Cost Calculator allows you to create a fleet of vehicles online and calculate the whole life costs of running them, plus it provides tools to help company car drivers choose which model is best for them from a financial and personal preference basis.

The system provides access to all Vauxhall models as well as other manufacturer data with information provided by CAP, the UK’s largest vehicle data information provider. All the comparisons can be saved and downloaded as a PDF.

Mini E

BMW and Mini will both participate in the forthcoming 2011 RAC Future Car Challenge which will take place on Saturday the 5th November, the day before the RAC’s famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The RAC Future Car Challenge starts at Madeira Drive in Brighton and the challenge is to drive to London using the least energy possible, within the 2hrs 45 minimum and 3hrs 30min maximum time permitted.

A BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics saloon car will be joined by two all-electric, emission free concept vehicles, the BMW ActiveE and Mini E. The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics is the greenest production car that BMW has ever built and is capable of CO2 emissions of 110g/km and a remarkable 68.9 combined mpg. This car is no slouch however and still manages a 0-62mph time of eight seconds and on to a top speed of 142mph. 

The Mini E has already been proving its capabilities with a six months trial with 40 volunteers and this all-electric car has a 150kW (200bhp) electric motor powering the front wheels and offers a range of around 156 miles. The Mini E is just one phase in the BMW Project i scheme, that will see the launch of a mass-produced electric vehicle, the BMW i3 in 2013.

The BMW ActiveE will also undertake a series of six-month trials with over 1,000 volunteers worldwide and is another evolution in BMW’s Project i scheme. The ActiveE has a 168hp electric synchronous motor which propels the car from 0-60mph in in nine seconds and on to a limited top speed of 90mph. Recharging can be performed via a 13A or 32A power supply and takes around eight or five hours respectively. The car also has regenerative braking which helps extend the range to 100 miles between charges.

In addition to these BMW and Mini models, other car manufacturers will be bringing a range of their hybrid, hydrogen and low-emission internal combustion cars and light-commercial vans to the event. Last year car manufacturers such as Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Nissan, Vauxhall, Skoda and Volkswagen attended. This year the total number of entries has been increased to 90, with a range of awards in up to 22 different categories, as well as by their power source.

All-new Zafira Tourer

Vauxhall is setting a keen entry price of £21,000 for its all-new Zafira Tourer which they recently unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Zafira Tourer ES entry model has plenty of standard options included as it comes equipped with air conditioning, DAB radio, cruise control, MP3/Aux In connections, 6 airbags, 7-speaker sound system, active headrests and Vauxhall’s Flex7 seating.

The new Zafira Tourer will be positioned above the current Zafira range and the other models on offer are Exclusiv, SE and Elite trims. In terms of length the Zafira Tourer is 190mm longer than the standard Zafira, has a new chassis using key components from the Insignia range, wider tracks and has Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive damping system for an outstanding ride.

It’s nearest competitor would the Ford’s S-Max and Vauxhall is clearly undercutting its main rival by over £1,200, with the Zafira ES Tourer entry price. In addition the Zafira Tourer has a range of other safety features (cost options) including Traffic Sign Recognition, Side Blind Spot Alert and Advance Park Assist (which helps you find an adequate parking space and park in it). 

Two new engines are on offer – a 1.4 Turbo petrol and a 2.0 CDTi (with three outputs including a 119g/km ecoFLEX version), which join a 1.8-litre petrol unit, all of which offer a power option range from 110PS to 165PS. Now that pricing has been announced we hope to be loading Vauxhall car leasing prices shortly.

Electric car concept

Vauxhall/Opel is set to unveil a radical electric car concept at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show this month and is targeting younger/teenage drivers with a low-cost budget. The car “has production potential” and Vauxhall thinks the concept could revolutionise urban transport, with inspiration coming from the Vauxhall Ampera. 

The battery-powered electric vehicle has a low, rakish style and should have a range of around 60 miles with a top speed of 75mph. Inside it has two seats in a tandem layout and because it is so light at around one third of a small modern car, it should be great fun to drive.

Windsor Vehicle Leasing, a recognised FN50 leasing company, has joined the site and they have just loaded some great business car leasing offers on sub 100g/km CO2 cars. All contracts are based on the three years, 3+35 rental profile, 10,000 miles per annum and non-maintained contract hire. Other terms are available on request.

Just click on the monthly rental below for further details.

New models just loaded

Vauxhall Corsavan ecoFLEX

The new Vauxhall Corsavan 1.3 CDTi 16v (95PS) ecoFLEX Start/Stop is one of the lowest CO2 emission commercial vehicles, as it emits only 95g/km of CO2. This new model has a host of efficiency improvements including a variable geometry turbocharger, lowered chassis, aerodynamic wheel covers plus optimised gear ratios with a “shift up” indicator.

All of the changes to the new model help the Corsavan ecoFLEX return an impressive 78.3mpg on the combined fuel cycle and 65.6mpg in urban driving, so it is ideal for any small business looking to keep fuel costs down. Steve Bryant, Vauxhall’s Commercial Vehicle Brand Manager, said,”It’s great news that the Corsavan ecoFLEX is top of its class for CO2 emissions. Griffin-badged vans are well known for their low running costs and Vauxhall’s most economical commercial ever is further proof of this”. Vauxhall Corsavan ecoFLEX contract hire is on the site now.