Vans, Cars and Leasing

The Vauxhall Astra is deserving of attention with its new, 1.6-litre turbocharged slightly de-tuned engine which can be found in the Corsa as well.

The Astra has bulked up over the years, much like most mid-size hatchbacks. Don’t think for one minute though, that this 1.6 turbo will feel sluggish on the go. Surprisingly, despite being 400cc smaller than its 2-litre ancestor, the new 1598cc ECOTEC unit packs more power in a smaller package.

The Astra produces 178bhp compared to its previous 168, without gulping more fuel. This newly vamped unit actually uses some 13 percent less petrol than before. The timing couldn’t be any better since vehicle emissions are scrutinized more than ever. Vauxhall has managed to give us the power we all want, while meeting the necessary challenge of engine downsizing.

Sure the power and fuel efficiency are great perks, but how does this car feel on the road? Don’t let its diminutive stature fool you. The Astra is a Hercules on the pavement. Clever engineering has kept turbo lag to a minimum, and due to smart mapping, the throttle delivers, in response to the slightest demand.

Vauxhall’s pocket-sized powerhouse provides170lb ft of torque, starting at 1980rpm and going all the way up to 5500rpm. The stand-out feature of the Astra is its clever overboost function, programmed to sense the need for maximum power for overtaking. This unique capability shortens overtaking distance, with pulling power of 196lb ft for a maximum of five seconds.

According to Vauxhall, the Astra goes from 0-60mph in 7.7sec reaching a top speed of 139mph. This is impressive in a 1.6. Not only do the numbers say so, but the Astra feels fast to drive. This is due in part, to the overboost, but also to the smartly designed gear ratios for the six-speed manual transmission.

This hot hatch exhibits control and manoeuvrability despite its abundance of torque. The novelty “Sport” button allows for stronger steering and tighter throttle response due to the trigger of switch able dampers.

The engine isn’t the only thing new to the Astra. The nose of the car received a small face lift, and now sports sleek dark headlamp housings, and a more modern honeycomb patterned grille. The option for a panoramic windscreen is also available, which extends the glass into the roof, giving the illusion of open air driving, while preserving the protection of cover. The preponderance of extra glass doesn’t become a chip magnet because it’s a laminated, 5.5mm thick. The integrity of the shell is kept intact, maintaining the Astra’s 5-star rating for crash protection from Euro NCAP.

The Astra’s sporty handling and power-combined-with economy more than make it worth the extra investment. Vauxhall is now offering the Astra TwinTop; a convertible designed with more than the style-savvy driver in mind. New features include: black leather trim, eleven spoke 18” alloy wheels, cruise control, and ultra-comfortable heated seats, all while keeping the original Design trim level.

The Exclusive Black edition did not lose any of its abundant standard equipment from the Design model. The three-piece, electro hydraulic, remote-control roof remains, as well as the pop-up automatic rollover bars, automatic headlamps, ESP, rain sensitive wipers, wind break and distinguished piano black facia trim.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services Ltd
Vauxhall Contract Hire - Vauxhall Astra Leasing

The Government is stepping up its campaign to encourage more people to car share, with the publication of a new survey confirming that uptake is increasing.

Transport minister Rosie Winterton said the survey, the first of its kind to be undertaken by the Department for Transport, showed that 61% of those surveyed had taken part in some form of car sharing in the past month and that 25% of those said the last journey was work/business related.

However, just 1% said they were a member of a formal lift-sharing scheme run by their employer or another organisation.

It is these formal lift-sharing schemes that the Government is keen to see established.

“Car sharing helps reduce congestion, tackle pollution and carbon emissions and importantly, cut the costs of travelling.

“While this research shows that informal car sharing is popular, it highlights that formal schemes run by employers are still in a small minority,” Ms Winterton said.

“I encourage employers to consider whether introducing a car sharing scheme for their organisation could help them reduce their carbon footprint and provide quicker, more convenient journeys for staff.”

The DfT runs the National Business Travel Network to promote the take-up of workplace travel plans among businesses, which can include car sharing.

The department has also published guidance for employers considering implementing car sharing schemes.

Two new versions of Renault’s Twingo are set to hit the market.

The Twingo Extreme 1.2 60 prides itself on price and green credentials.

Costing £7,500 - £400 less than the entry-level Fiat 500 – it emits 132g/km of CO2 and makes 50.4mpg.

Standard equipment includes remote central locking, front fog lights and electric front windows.

Customers can also customise their new car through a range of decals, from Union Jack door handle designs to racing stripes.

At the other end of the scale is the new Renaultsport Twingo.

Available in the autumn, the 133bhp hatchback is driver focused and features wider wings, sideskirts and a spoiler.

It will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Renault has also launched a 100,000 miles/three-year warranty for the New Espace, which is on sale now priced from £19,545.

Vehicle tracking and weighing technology could help van fleet managers comply with the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency’s (VOSA) drive to tackle overloaded vehicles.

Automatic number plate recognition cameras and weight-in-motion sensors embedded in roads have led to increased detection rates with more than half of light vans (55.1%) stopped last year for being overloaded.

Now Navman Wireless has teamed up with on-board weighing systems company, Red Forge to provide fleet managers with a system that automatically alerts when their vehicles’ weight limits are exceeded.

The system triggers an automatic alert in the driver’s cab, and simultaneously sends an alert message to the employer’s office PC or mobile phone.

“These latest VOSA statistics are remarkable and signal a worrying trend,” said Tony Neill, vice president, Navman Wireless.

“Companies should act now to avoid prohibition notices, licence revocations, hefty fines, criminal prosecutions and penalty points for drivers.

An illegally loaded van can prove a costly mistake but it is one that we can help companies avert.”

Used car dealers have said they will focus on lower mileage, smaller, more economical engines and higher specification cars, in an attempt to boost sales.

Diesel engines are also continuing to rise in popularity, with just over half of dealers saying that they are currently seeking to stock more diesels than they were 12 months ago.

Colin Whelan, business research manager for CAP, which carried out the dealer survey, said dealers have enjoyed a strong start to the year and are determined not to allow gloomy headlines about the economy to distract them from the business of winning retail sales.

“Dealers understand that many retail car buyers are increasingly demanding in their choices of used cars, favouring high levels of equipment, strong image, individuality and low running costs.”

Around 18% of used car dealers said they expected to sell significantly fewer used cars this year compared with 2007.

Nearly a quarter believe this year’s retail used car market will be little different from last year, while 36% acknowledge there may be some reduction in sales but that they are not seriously concerned about their retail prospects.

As the group responsible for selling up to a third of Renault’s fleet volume, the Renault Retail Group (RRG) dealership chain knows better than most of the problems with early Laguna models.

With a high percentage of the original models suffering problems, it was the dealer staff who dealt with the vast array of issues which afflicted Renault’s upper-medium model.

But those problems are, hopefully, in the past, allowing the group to build on the number of internal quality improvement processes put in place by Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Alongside the new Laguna model, which, claims Renault, is a massive leap forward in terms of quality, RRG is also pioneering the firm’s E4 programme (excellence, everyone, everywhere, every time).

RRG managing director Ian Plummer said: “Our ambition is to be Renault’s showcase across the group and to push things in the right direction.

“We are further along the road than other parts of the Renault network in terms of E4.

“Applying the process is difficult, a long haul, but the change of culture is well on the way.”

Mr Plummer says the arrival of the new Laguna is a key moment, not just in terms of having new metal in the showroom but also reflecting the fresh approach to doing business.

He added: “We have got our staff on board with the new Laguna after the problems with the early models.

“They are coming back from training and are unanimous in saying the new model is much better.”

With further new Laguna variants to be launched in 2008, including the sleek Coupe model, a new Megane range, plus new additions to the Clio and Modus family, Mr Plummer is positive for the year ahead.

He added: “The market is becoming more fragmented so you need to have different options for customers.

“It is vital to be able to answer different needs.

“We will see a lot of new product in 2008 but we will continue to make service efforts our key focus.

The Mazda RX-8 is the latest sporty coupe with which Mazda has built its reputation. Its four-door configuration marks a new design style for all of Mazda’s fans.

At the core of this new Mazda is the Renesis 1.3-litre rotary engine. This unique engine stands out not only because of its name but because of its side-located exhaust ports on each of the combustion chambers. This simple change makes this engine more powerful, higher in fuel economy and lower in emissions. The small size of the engine enabled engineers to mount it further back on the chassis which distributes the weight 50/50 from front to rear.

The RX-8 was introduced for 2004, marking the return of the rotary powered engine. Before its reintroduction the U.S. sports car industry had not seen a rotary powered engine in nearly 10 years.

Other features that make this car a jewel to handle are the sharp steering, 3,000 pound curb weight, and balanced suspension tuning. The RX comes in either automatic or manual, but the six-speed manual is the only way to go in this car. The manual shift makes the 1.3-litre engine more powerful and the short-throw shifter makes you feel more connected to the car.

In the manual RX-8 the horsepower peaks at 238 while at 8,500rpm. Below 4,000 rpm the engine does not really feel all that powerful because of the nature of rotary engines not really having low-end torque to speak of. You can rev all you want with the rotary though, and it comes across smoothly.

Mazda’s RX-8 goes from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, which is respectable as far as straight-line acceleration goes, but the sport coupe wins the prize when it comes to the winding road.

The automatic transmission version will red-line at a much lower 7,500 rpm, with the newer models coming with the more advanced 6-speed auto tranny. Paddle shifters are mounted on the steering column. They have 212hp at 7,500rpm versus earlier 2004 and 2005 versions which were 4-speed automatic transmissions.

While being sporty and comfortable enough for regular commuting, the RX-8 can be used for everyday driving, with seats in the rear which will accommodate adults or awkward car seats, and the rear doors are hinged, allowing for easier access.
The manual RX has standard firmer suspension and 18-inch wheels. These do not come standard with the auto transmission, they are optional. Upgrades include the firmer suspension, navigational systems, and leather upholstery.

The predecessor of the RX-8, the RX-7 had difficulty surviving in the U.S. market, having a rough time meeting emissions requirements, and thus having lacklustre sales. The car continued on in Japan through 2002. The final incarnation of the U.S. RX-7 was more expensive then, in comparison to the RX-8 of today.

The old model being sold between ‘93-95 had the ability to hit 255hp at 6,500rpm. It went from 0-60 in an amazing 5.5 seconds. It handled well too, sometimes being compared to race cars. It wasn’t a nice ride though, so you had to appreciate its turbocharged engine and excellent handling abilities more than the comfort of a smooth ride.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services Contract Hire UK
Mazda Contract Hire - Mazda RX8 Leasing

There are many cars on the market that are deemed some of the fastest around and are geared at performance worshipers and those who love speed. These cars are made for fast driving and many buyers are more interested in that feature when looking for a car to purchase. One of the more sought after cars in this category is the Nissan 350Z.

The Nissan 350Z is the fifth generation of the Z car, introduced by Nissan over thirty years ago. Over the years there has been a remarkable improvement to the Z car model which has led us to the new Nissan Nismo 350Z for the 2008 model year.

The 350Z is set to get the attention and adoration of the many performance worshipers worldwide. The Nissan 350Z had its coming out party in 2003, and since then it has quickly been placed among the most desired sports cars in the marketplace.
The 2008 Nismo-badged 350Z model is a well designed front-engined sports car that has a rear wheel drive, making it more in line with its history.

The exterior styling brings to life the feeling of excitement that people feel when they see this car. People will most definitely notice this car. The cars bumper is unique and has fins that stick out which also adds to the sport car look and the feel of a race car. The cars appearance is greatly enhanced by its five spoke wheels and a rear spoiler enhances its sports car appearance.
Under the hood of the Nismo 350Z is a Z car engine with its V6, 24 valve, and a 3.5-liter direct overhead cam. This engine has the ability to produce up to 306 horsepower with about 268 lb-ft of torque. This engines power goes to the rear wheels and is controlled by a six speed manual transmission. The gear box is easy to handle and changes out smoothly.

The car is fitted with top quality brakes in the form of four disc brakes on all wheels. Other features of the car are an anti-lock braking system and a brake force distribution system that is operated electronically. These features give the driver the ability to use the brakes at high speed and not have to worry about losing control of the car.

There is a number of competitors to be found in the class of the Nissan Nismo 350Z such as the Audi TT, Z4 from BMW, the Corvette, Honda S2000, RX-8 from Mazda, and the Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 just to name a few. Yet in spite of all this competition the 350Z stands out like a beacon because of its styling and great performance.

The Nissan 350Z is reasonably priced and for the performance this car gives the price is much more than reasonable. This car has been called the Japanese real deal muscle car. The 350Z takes very little prisoners and is a full package fast car with high level performance to match. It gives more than what is expected.

 Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services Contract Hire UK
Nissan Contract Hire - Nissan 350Z Contract Hire

There are numerous factors that determine a vehicle’s resale value, such as the make and model of the vehicle as well as its age, mileage and overall condition. Although a large portion of the resale value is predetermined, car owners can increase the value by taking proper care of the vehicle to keep it in its optimum condition.

The service specialists at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge provide the following tips to help car owners prepare their vehicles for resale or trade-in:

* Have all ownership materials. The documentation that accompanied the vehicle when first purchased is a key component in resale value. Ownership materials include the warranty manual and owner’s manual. It also is important to have the spare key and, when applicable, the convertible top boot cover.

* Look under the hood and fill all fluids. These include brake fluid, power steering fluid and wiper fluid, along with oil, coolant and antifreeze.

* Do basic operational checks. First, check the dashboard to see if any warning lights are lit and address any indicated problems. Second, make sure all lights, locks, windows, wipers, turn signals, the trunk release, mirrors, seat belts, defrosters, the horn, air conditioning and heat systems and seat adjusters work. Accessories that were purchased with the vehicle, such as heated seats or a sunroof, should also be in working order.

* Conduct your own road test. Make sure the vehicle easily starts and the gear selector functions properly. Also, check steering performance and make sure that the cruise control, overdrive, gauges and sound system are in tip-top shape. Finally, check to see if the acceleration and brakes are operating effectively.

* Check for leaks. Inspect under the hood for any dramatic decreases in fluid levels.

* Evaluate overall appearance. Externally, check for dents and scratches, ensure all the wheels match and are filled, and remove any decals and stickers. Internally, clean the floors, mats and seats, along with the panels and dashboard. Remove all personal items from the glove compartment and trunk. Finally, have your vehicle professionally washed and detailed prior to having the resale value evaluation.

And lastly, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge specialists recommend regular service and maintenance checkups by certified automotive experts throughout your vehicle’s life. Although your dealership should keep a detailed history of your vehicle on file, keep your own record of all checkups and maintenance performed on your vehicle in a logbook to demonstrate that proper care was provided.

Most of us get by quite happily having nothing other than a car to get around in, but other people have needs and requirements that mean a car doesn’t quite fit the bill.

But looking for what you need can be a real headache. Buying a car isn’t too difficult – there are plenty of dealerships and garages that have forecourts filled with likely specimens. But vans of all types are a little harder to come by in your everyday travels.

But there is a solution. Whatever kind of van you need – from a small van for work, to a caravan for going on holiday – searching for one online is far easier than driving round all your local showrooms or looking in the papers.

The main advantage is in the speed at which you can find the kind of van you are looking for. The search facilities available on each site generally allow you to narrow down the number of vans which appear on your screen, so you are instantly limiting the results to those you are most likely to be interested in. Think about the keywords that will find the listings you are after - you might want to search for a specific colour or size or other criteria.

For example, you might be passionate about attending boot fairs each and every Sunday morning while the weather is good, and your car just isn’t big enough to hold the amount of items you now have. All you really need is a small van with rear and side access, so you simply search for those terms and see what comes up. Alternatively you might have a specific make and model of van in mind, in which case those will be your search terms.

If you’re looking for caravans for sale you’ll also find a large number of caravan classified ads online. As there are far more variables when searching for your ideal caravan, it’s a good idea to write down the main features you are looking for before you begin. You might want a certain size, or one which comes with a detachable awning, for example. Anything you can do to narrow down the number of classified ads you have to search through will save you time in the long run.

If you already have a van and you are looking to get rid of it in favour of a newer model, why not consider selling your current van online? Make sure all the relevant information is included in your advert, and think about those keywords – they could get you a sale far sooner than you think.

Online classified ads are getting excellent responses all across the internet. Whatever you are selling – from a toy car to a real van – a classified ad is the best way to get your item seen.