SEAT Mii five-door

SEAT has added a five door version to their Mii city car line-up, turning the super-compact SEAT city car into a unique combination of exceptional driving fun, Spanish sporty design and outstanding functionality.

The three- or five-door Mii scores top marks for fuel consumption and emissions and this particularly applies to the newly-announced Mii Ecomotive. Thanks to a start/stop system, brake energy recovery and other measures to improve vehicle fuel economy, the Mii Ecomotive makes do with just 4.1 litres of fuel per 100 km, equating to CO₂ emissions of only 96 g/km  for the 60 PS version and 4.2 litres per 100 km – 98 g/km – for the 75 PS Mii.  

James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A.  said: ‘The new Mii has enjoyed a terrific start.  Customer response in Spain is outstanding and we are now bringing the entire line-up to the other European markets – complete with the three-door, five-door and Ecomotive versions”.

The car is compact at just 3.56 metres long and offers plenty of room for four adults, plus with a volume of 251 litres, the Mii also boasts one of the largest luggage compartments in its class, expanding to an impressive 951 litres with the rear seat back folded.

SEAT Mii five-door

The rear doors offer a wide opening angle making entry access to the rear seats straightforward, while the especially large area of the rear side windows ensures great all-round visibility. This feeling of spaciousness is reinforced by the addition of an optional panoramic sunroof if required.

In terms of on-board occupant safety, the Mii five-door has head restraints for the rear seat passengers and child locks on the rear doors as standard vehicle equipment. The Mii also features City Safety Assist, which when the car determines a risk  in city traffic, brakes automatically to prevent a possible impact.

The Mii also comes with the innovative SEAT Portable System infotainment system, which is a compact unit boasting a five-inch touchscreen that can be fully removed from the car for use ‘on the go’.  It integrates into the vehicle’s electronics and its many functions include a satellite navigation system, hands-free phone capability with voice control and an on-board computer.

EV & Low CO2 Fleet Show

The EV & Low CO₂ Fleet Show is a one-day event being held at the world-famous Silverstone circuit on Wedneday the 18th April. The event will feature major motor manufacturers who have pioneered the development and production of electric vehicles, including Renault, Nissan, Peugeot and Citroen.

The event is being organised by Fleet World magazine in association with the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, the trade association of the UK’s leasing and rental industries, with the event being sponsored by the Energy Saving Trust.

If you fancy attending the event, at the Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire, there will be a wide range of electric, hybrid and other low-carbon vehicles that will be available for driving around the famous track.

Ross Durkin, Managing Editor of Fleet World, said: “The show is really starting to take shape now. We’re delighted that four of the motor manufacturers who have really been at the forefront of EV development will be at the event in order to help fleet managers really understand the potential for incorporating electric vehicles onto their fleet”.

The EV & Low CO₂ Fleet Show will allow visitors to:

- Test drive the latest petrol-electric hybrids, diesel-electric hybrids, fuel-cell hybrids and electric range-extenders, as well as many of the latest low-emission petrol and diesel engine vehicles

- Discuss future drivetrain strategies with leading motor manufacturers that attend the event

- Find out more about low-emission light commercial vehicles

- Talk to EV charging point suppliers and recharging infrastructure providers

- Discuss low-carbon vehicle supply with leading vehicle leasing suppliers

For more details on the event you can phone 01727 739160 or visit http://evfleetshow.co.uk/

The government has announced that it is going to maintain the current MOT test frequencies and concentrate on improving testing standards and cracking down on clockers, which is welcome news. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) chief executive, John Lewis, commented as follows:

“The once a year after three years model works perfectly well for cars and vans as long as test centres do their job properly. Our only disappointment is that the government didn’t listen to our calls for safety recall notices to be made an MOT criterion. It is ridiculous that a car can pass its MOT while having an outstanding safety recall notification that hasn’t been dealt with.”

“We would also urge the government to go further in clamping down on clockers by introducing some sort of licensing system for mileage adjustment companies.”

Fiat Punto GBT

Fiat has now announced pricing for the Model Year 2012 Fiat Punto with a starting price of just £9,990 OTR for the Pop 1.2 8-valve, the new car, which goes on sale in the UK this month. At the top end of the revised Fiat Punto range, you have the highly specified Lounge 1.3 MultiJet version, which costs £15,600 OTR. This model features automatic dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel, front fog lamps, seven airbags, cruise control, ambient interior lighting and electric sunroof as standard.

The 2012 Fiat Punto will be available initially with a choice of six low emissions Euro 5 engines – and with a TwinAir version coming in April – all fitted with Start&Stop as standard. It also comes in a more simplified line-up of three trim levels, similar to the Fiat 500 and forthcoming new Panda – Pop (base), Easy (mid) and Lounge (high). As an extra addition, Fiat also has a sports version based on the Easy level grade called GBT.

The new Punto adds two new engines to the range – an 85hp version of the MultiJet diesel engine and the acclaimed Engine of the Year 85hp TwinAir. The full list will comprise: 1.2 8-valve petrol (69hp), 1.4 8-valve petrol (77hp), 1.4 16-valve MultiAir petrol (105hp and 135hp), TwinAir 0.9-litre petrol (85hp) and 1.3 16-valve MultiJet diesel (75hp and 85hp).

The external styling changes of the 2012 Fiat Punto incorporate fully colour coded front and rear bumpers, while three new exterior colours are introduced: Brit Pop Blue, Tango Red and Underground Grey. Inside you get new sportier seat fabrics and a refreshed dashboard. Standard vehicle equipment in the entry-level Pop model includes remote central locking, electric front windows, driver and passenger airbags, window airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, electric power steering and height-adjustable driver seat.

Easy trim level adds such equipment as leather steering wheel, 15-inch alloy wheels, and air conditioning. The GBT level additionally gets sport suspension, rear spoiler and side skirts, while the Lounge model adds climate control, front fog lamps, cruise control, ambient interior lighting and electric sunroof.

On the road pricing for the range is as follows and Fiat contract hire prices will be loaded soon:

We have been featuring driving tips from driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive, with the good advice from head of training, Simon Elstow. This week he is advising on parking your vehicle.

• Do try to park on the left-hand side of the road if possible, and always at night.
• In a car park, try and reverse into parking spaces as this is safer when driving out of a space, and more fuel efficient as you’ll be manoeuvring with a warm engine, rather than cold one when you start up .
• Always check your mirrors and over your shoulder frequently – you still need to know what’s going on around you and don’t just rely on parking sensors to guide you.
• When looking for a parking place, don’t stop your car suddenly. Drive slowly past a potential parking space and size it up to see if your vehicle will fit. And if you can’t stop because you have traffic behind you, drive on.
• When visiting a supermarket , try and park away from the trolley parks and corners to avoid your car being exposed to damage from trolleys full of shopping!
• When parking, open your window in car parks and turn off your stereo as you can often hear something before you can see it.

Elstow said: “Parking is an essential part of driving which many people find stressful. Don’t feel pressurised by other drivers waiting for you to park – it’s important to take your time.”

Some of the unusual vehicle registrations at the forthcoming DVLA Personalised Registrations sale includes that old British favourite of “fish and chips”– CH11 PPY.

CH11 PPY, along with MA11 ORY, is just one of the unique 11-series registrations being listed among the 1,500 registration plates which will go under the hammer during the DVLA‘s first three-day sale of 2012 at Stratford Manor Hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon, commencing on Wednesday, February 1.

Or is you fancy something to remind you of the hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex – or TOWIE as it has become known – TOW 111E is another example of some of the fun-plates that motorists can purchase. Or with Mother’s and Father’s Days coming up soon, how about H15 MUM and H15 DAD, both with reserves of £900?

Jody Davies, DVLA Personalised Registrations’ Events Manager, said: “We always manage to come up with an incredible array of personalised registrations to suit all tastes and, with reserves starting from as little as £250, this auction is no exception.”

You can fit a personalised plate if you lease a vehicle however you will need to get permission from your relevant leasing company, as they own the vehicle.

Here are some of the plates on sale with reserve prices in brackets;

• AL51 NGH (reserve -  £900)
• ALF 4W (£450)
• APE 80Y (£400)
• CAR 70Y (£400)
• CH11 PPY (£1,500)
• COP 80Y (£400)
• DRU 111D (£400)
• EL11 NOR (£1,000)
• FE11 OWS (£1,500)
• FUN 80B (£450)
• H15 DAD (£900)
• H15 MUM (£900)
• JAB 80Y (£400)
• MA11 ORY (£1,000)
• 55 O (£8,000)
• OBT 41N (£400)
• 12 OOO (£4,000)
• SA11 MON (£3,000)
• TOW 111E (£400)
• USA 848E (£400)
• VO11 LVO (£1,500)
• YE11 OUT (£900)
• YES 848Y (450)
• YOU 105T (£400).

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: 

Toyota iQ Pulse

The Toyota iQ has always been a popular city car and you can now add colourful decal designs and new leather seat upholsteries to the specification of your brand new vehicle, to really personalise it to your requirements. There are literally hundreds of possible permutations, allowing you to put your personal stamp on your new car.

The Toyota iQ delivers a four-seater in a body in car that is less than three metres long, so is an ideal car for city driving. There are now eight external paint colours, six leather combinations and six roof and body decals with hundreds of possible variations, with some unique designs on offer.

Decals

The decals extend from a classic monochrome Check to a psychedelic multicolour Swirl, with other options such as Box (a scattering of colourful quadrilaterals), Bloom (retro daisies), Pulse (a swoosh of grey strokes) and Aqua (a flow of bubbles). Each decal design can be specified separately for the roof and sides of your new car.

Customised leather

Leathers

The six leather options match Nappa leather upholstery for all four seats with toning – or contrasting – stitching and fillet inserts around the shoulder area. The combinations are as follows:

• Black leather with platinum fillets and stitching
• Platinum leather with black fillets and stitching
• Red leather with platinum fillets and stitching
• Black leather with Electric Blue fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest
• Black leather with Burnt Orange fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest
• Black leather with red fillets and stitching, plus iQ logo on headrest

Prices

The new vehicle options are available now and can be specified for all versions of iQ, with the leathers priced £775, side decals £200 and roof decals £180, all inclusive of VAT. The customisation is only available for new vehicles i.e. you can’t “retro-fit” to an existing Toyota iQ. Contract hire prices for the Toyota iQ range are on the site now.

The driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive is offering motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow (which we have been featuring) and this week he is advising on how to avoid getting whiplash:

• Make sure you keep a good distance in front of you so that you can slow down gently if required.
• Always look in the mirror before braking, except in an emergeny. Knowing what the  vehicle behind you is doing is always the best way to avoid getting hit from behind.
• Make sure you have a properly adjusted head restraint in your vehicle. The top of the head restraint should be level with the top of your head for maximum road safety.
• Do anticipate the road traffic ahead and drive smoothly to avoid stopping as often. Slowing down earlier gives the driver behind more time to react as well.
• Try and signal early for oncoming junctions to give time for the traffic behind you to react, if you are turning.
• Keep your foot lightly on the footbrake as traffic approaches from behind to show your brake lights as a warning, until you are sure it is stopping.

Elstow said: “The rise in whiplash compensation claims is driving up car insurance. Avoid injury and a hit to your insurance premium by following the above advice.”

Citroen Berlingo

The Citroen Berlingo LCV has just gained the accolade of the Institute of Transport Management’s (ITM’s) ‘Best LCV 2012’ award. The ITM’s key criteria for choosing the award winner meant a van had to, “embody perennially important qualities such as reliability, cost-effectiveness and durability. It is because of this that the Institute of Transport Management has named the Citroen Berlingo the ‘Best LCV 2012’.”

The ITM’s judges were very impressed with the Citroen Berlingo and said, “Businesses are looking for LCVs that are lighter, with lower emissions and better fuel efficiency, qualities that the Citroën Berlingo range has in spades.  In particular, the Citroen Berlingo e-HDI Airdream models are equipped with e-HDi micro-hybrid Stop & Start technology. For further fuel savings, all Berlingo vans are specified with Citroen’s unique Trafficmaster telematics package.  This further reduces urban fuel consumption and emissions by offering the fastest congestion avoidance routing direct to the driver.”

Citroen’s key addition to their Euro 5 Berlingo range is the new e-HDi Airdream models, with their efficient micro-hydrid drivetrain. This power unit provides a unique combination of environmental, economic and driver benefits.

Berlingo Airdream vans have Stop & Start with an advanced micro-hybrid starter/generator to restart the engine quickly and smoothly and incorporate regenerative braking to recover and store energy that would otherwise be lost.

Berlingo e-HDi vans are available with a choice of either a 5 speed manual transmission or Citroen’s advanced 6-speed automated manual transmission, which provides the benefit of two-pedal driving and a combined cycle fuel consumption of up to 60.1mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 123g/km. We have the full range of Citroen vans, including e-HDI models, on the site now on Citroen commercial vehicle contract hire.