Vans, Cars and Leasing

Gentleman, start your engines for a heart-stopping year of motorsport. And leading the way is F1 – which this week saw the launch of three cars for 2008, from McLaren, Toyota and Ferrari.

After a tough 2007, the McLaren team is looking forward to a happier 2008. Found guilty of spying, it ended the year stripped of points and having to pay a $100 million (£51 million) fine.

However, with the unveiling of its new MP4-23 car and driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Finn Heikki Kovalainen, hopes are high. McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said: “We had a number of distractions last season, but we’ve had enough focus to create a competitive car this year.”

Toyota suffered a poor 2007, too, with bosses at the Japanese company threatening to pull the plug on the F1 programme if it doesn’t start to perform. So, the new TF108 has to impress. The services of Italian driver Jarno Trulli have been retained, while last year’s GP2 champion Timo Glock is in the number two seat.

Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina made the squad’s intentions clear: “Our ultimate target is the top step of the podium – we are in Formula One to win, and we want to do that soon.”

The F2008 Ferrari hit the track for the first time after its public unveiling last week. Lead driver, world champion Kimi Raikonnen, was impressed. “The car is positive and you can handle it even without the traction control,” he said.

With such an exciting season ahead, you won’t want to miss any of the action. Check our calendar for all the F1 dates, so you’ll be there from the first green light to the last wave of the chequered flag.

Whether you are looking to rent a car or finance a lease, Total Fleet Services aka www.lease-hire.co.uk brings provides individuals and companies with a one stop solution to all their contract hire and vehicle leasing needs, be it a whole company fleet or a single private client.

Contract Hire
Through Contract Hire, a fleet of vehicles is given to you for a set period of time. Although the vehicles are still owned by the leasing company, you are able to use the vehicles for the set monthly rate. The monthly rate is determined on an individual basis, and takes into account factors such as the time period, mileage, and maintenance costs, along with several other factors. Contract hire is a good option for anyone that is looking to implement a fixed cost for their vehicle fleet.

Personal Contract Hire
Is also an available option. This is similar to Contract Hire, but allows individual employees to take ownership of the vehicles, while still benefiting from buying the vehicles as a group.

Contract Purchase
Contract Purchase allows vehicles to be purchased over a set amount of time. It is very similar to standard vehicle ownership, but it allows the vehicle to be purchased without the risk of depreciation. A monthly payment is made on the vehicle, which is determined by the cost of the car, anticipated depreciation and mileage, and maintenance needs.

Personal Contract Purchase
Is also an available option. This is similar to Contract Purchase, but allows a company’s employees to take ownership over their cars. The employer is able to pay their employees a monthly allowance based on the employee’s level and car.

Daily Rentals
Contract periods for Daily Rentals may extend to a maximum of twelve months. This option is normally desired for companies that have staff members that need a vehicle but may not be with the company for an extended period of time. This is also a good option for companies that have normal fluctuations in their need for vehicles.

Finance Lease
A Finance Lease provides a tax efficient option for leasing a vehicle. With a Finance Lease, the entire cost of the vehicle can be paid in one of two ways:

1) The entire cost of the vehicle can be paid over an agreed lease period, with an interest charge being applied to each monthly payment.

2) A lower monthly fee can be paid, with a final payment made which is based on the anticipated resale value of the vehicle.

Lease Purchase
A Lease Purchase is the most common method that companies use to finance a vehicle. The monthly payment is determined by the total cost of the vehicle, the period of the Lease Purchase, and the estimated future value of the vehicle at the end of the Lease Purchase period. A total mileage amount is also set for the term of the Lease Purchase, which, if exceeded, will result in a fee being assessed to each mile over the original total.

Sale and Leaseback
Similar to a Lease Purchase, a Sale and Leaseback applies to a vehicle that you currently own. This option can be used to free capital that is tied up in the vehicle. In a Sale and Leaseback option, the vehicle is bought and then leased back to the original owner. The monthly payment is determined by the same factors as addressed above. This option only takes place on paper, so use of the vehicle is not interrupted at all.

 Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services Van & Car Leasing

The new Alfa Romeo GT Coupe derives much of its design from the Alf 156. The Bertone Style Centre is responsible for its design and it promotes an original type styling which makes the car something fascinating to look at. The GT boasts an almost complete range of safety systems along as with smart engineering all packaged in a slick sports coupe.

Alfa Romeo GT Coupe shows up with a quadruple overhead camshaft, and has a 3.2 liter V6 engine similar to what can b found on the Alfa GTV. Thus the GT Coupe is a power filled and with its torque level it is able to easily cruise at 2000rpm in top gear. The GT Coupe is able to go from zero to sixty in under seven seconds and can reach speeds of just over 150 miles per hour.

The GT Coupe range there are six models, the Lusso which comes in there engine sizes, the Turismo has two models and the Q2. The Lusso and the Turismo come in both gas and diesel options and the Q2 comes in diesel only. The Coupe’s transmission is a six-speed manual which is standard for the 1.9 diesel and the 3.2 V6 series but there is a five speed manual transmission with the 2 litre gas.

This vehicle’s braking system is very strong and it touts 330 mm front discs that give excellent power when stopping. The GT Coupe brings to the table a very responsive power steering that is also speed sensitive.

The new Alfa Romeo GT Coupe has some very nice safety features such as six airbags, an integrated Fire Prevention System, and seatbelt pre-tensioners. There is also a high tech braking system along with traction control and stability systems. The braking system combines an ABS anti lock brake with a Vehicle Dynamic Control unit which helps to make cornering more stable. The Vehicle Dynamic Control unit is also supported by Anti-Slip Regulation thus limiting wheelspin that may occur when accelerating.

The GT has a very roomy interior. The rear seat folds down with a 60:40 split/folding and this gives enough space to comfortably seating passengers on the back seat. With the GT you can quickly convert its 320 cubic decimetre luggage area into a storage area boasting 905 cubic decimetres of space.

The flagship 3.2 V6 is fitted with leather interior and a top of the line Bose Hi Fi system that has MP3 capability. There is also a smart sports suspension, twin chromed exhaust pipes and 17 inch alloy wheels. There is also the option of having a climate control package that gives control over the quality of the air and sensory for rain and mist. You can also have xenon headlights that come with lamp washers, and 18 inch wheels. There is also a system that will connect the driver to a wide range of services through a phone link called CONNECT NAV+. The driver will use voice commands to operate the system. There is also a CD audio system that is available on the Alfa Romeo GT Coupe.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services Van & Car Leasing
Alfa Romeo Contract Hire - Alfa Romeo GT Coupe Leasing