Vans, Cars and Leasing

Mitsubishi Shogun has been a constant match for those amongst family-sized 4×4s.
The third generation Mitsubishi Shogun, which surfaced in the year 2000, was a car that helped set trends. The Engines together with the suspension were bolted directly to the monocoque body rather than installed in a separate chassis, this is said to be in total contrary to the way that many family-style 4×4s had developed. It had more in common with the car-like luxury 4×4 models like the ones of BMWs X5.

This has become a cross between old school appeal and modern underpinnings that have proved its popularity, and the fourth generation car builds on solid foundations with a massive host of detail changes.

The Mitsubishi Shogun offers very useable concession between on-road refinement and off-road capability that can be gleaned as efficient for most people. The Shogun is also more than a competent tool in the rough stuff. It uses an all-wheel control system which also works with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4 II transfer case. Using a centre differential lock, this system offers four transmission modes; high range rear wheel drive, high-range full time four wheel drive, four-wheel drive is differential for slippery conditions and low range four wheel drive with the locked differential for hauling out over a mud bath.

The Mitsubishi shogun’s shape looks very recognizable and there are key differences between this fourth generation car and its direct predecessor. A perfect example is the contoured front lights blended with the blistered leading edge of the front wheel arch. There’s a three door short or five-door long wheelbase models that are offered. When it comes to Chassis firmness, this has been improved by means of increasing the number of key spot welds on the monocoque, an additional structural and a greater use of high tensile steel. Mitsubishi’s innovative HideandSeat system instantly converts the long wheelbase car from a five to a seven-seater.

You could also have an option of three or five doors, those Shogun buyers have the choice of a four model line-up the familiar Equippe, Warrior and Elegance variants as well as a new luxury Diamond range-topper and the Mitsubishi Shogun comes packed with numerous safety measures and luxury equipment.

All models come with ASTC active stability and traction control; it also has alarm and keyless entry, climate control, twin front, side and curtain airbags. This also has an ABS or the anti-lock brakes and 17inch alloy wheels fitted as standard. Other standard features may be much longer but the pricing for the Mitsubishi Shogun remains tight and cost effective emphasizing Mitsubishi Motors value-for-money policy.

Now that Mitsubishi are known for their petrol-powered engine, the Shogun range looks as if it is a more manageable proposition in terms of costing. Thus, the Mitsubishi Shogun considered as the fourth generation car brooks is no great surprises but in many cases, familiarity has bring up respect for Mitsubishis low-key approach. It has a solid engineering, a good and excellent compromise between off-road durability and on-road refinement.

This Shogun also is an extremely aggressive pricing all combined to make sure that what some people may consider a throwback is, in fact, a vehicle of keen relevance. Overall, the Shogun occupies a small but with a great impact and vital niche in an ever-evolving 4×4 market. As sales of the more grandiose cars wane in favor of more environmentally responsible car, there will always remain a major requirement for an all-weather, all-terrain vehicle that can has the ability to tow, fulfill the family responsibilities with not so costly price. The Mitsubishi Shogun carries out these duties efficiently.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Mitsubishi Leasing - Mitsubishi Shogun Leasing

The change of registration plate last month has led to a significant influx of part-exchanged cars and put residual values under pressure. Adrian Rushmore, managing editor at EurotaxGlass’s, predicts used car prices will fall, on average, by at least 3% during May. This follows a steady erosion of prices since October of last year at a slightly more accelerated rate than for the same period 12 months earlier.

“The deterioration in market conditions has conspired to increase depreciation,” said Mr Rushmore. The average three-year-old car will lose around £700 more from its original new price in 2008 compared to 2007, and this is reflected in the lower prices that dealers are asking for cars.”

The increase in supply of used cars also has implications for those defleeting.

“In most instances, current dealer stocks are more than adequate to meet demand, so the best prices will only be paid for those vehicles that offer a desirable combination of popular colour and specification, and are also in excellent condition,” said Mr Rushmore.

“If, for example, there is a need to rectify any damage to bring the car to a marketable condition, they are likely to mark down its value more heavily at present.”

Car Leasing has become one of the most probable solutions an individual can consider if he wants to have his temporary car for an intervening time. When you lease you do not pay for the whole value and amount of the car for you only pay for the part or a potion of the value that decreases throughout the duration of the leasing term. There are a lot of car lease emerging and making mark in this industry, however, only few will bound to stay.

One of the best options is the Citroen C5. This is Citroen’s ‘Mondeo’, the all-new C5. Totally redesigned, the French saloon gets a fresh platform, a new air-suspension system and a high-quality interior which offers much more space. This is a sleek addition coming from the French automobile maker and has made an impression of quality build and body and the eye catching features that comprised of a hydro pneumatic suspension, hydraulic transmission, and directional headlights

The said release of the C5 in the market has become a way for those who prove that along with many companies it can still have its own name and success. No other car on the Citroen line has been as pleasant and innovative as the C5. In addition, the finance charge that is what the leasing company earns for the transaction and that can be incorporated to the interests charged on an auto loan. This implies that if you don’t want to keep the car and you like upgrading your wheels every now and then, leasing might be the suitable option for you.

The new C5 is considered to put style back into the Citroen line of automobiles and will definitely be one of the best car lease deal options in the market to watch out for. Its good looks will be coupled with a bevy of all kinds of features including hydractive suspension, a fixed-hub steering wheel, and a Parking Space Measurement system also known as the Backseat Driver.

This is a kind of French ingenuity built in German quality and this is a kind of feature expected the Citroen C5. Engines will include punchy diesels such as the firm’s new 173bhp 2.2-litre HDI unit and the Ford/PSA-developed 2.7 V6, as well as a range of petrol motors topped off by a 3.0-litre V6. While most models will come with six-speed manual transmissions, there will also be the choice of semi-automatic and fully auto gearboxes. It will have to weather it’s own against the competition in the name of giants like Mazda 6 and the Ford Mondeo.

But the Citroen C5 will absolutely be quite affordable and will definitely be the new version that says a lot and boast of a whole new design capability of Citroen and their future bringing. Some of the features of the Citroen C5 are the passenger compartment which remained stable during an impact. The driver’s knees were well protected by an airbag mounted in the lower dashboard. Citroen with the airbag would also protect its passengers who were bigger and those seating in different positions. The passenger was well restrained and his knees did not get close to the dashboard. Also, with the Side impact, The C5 scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests.

The Child-protection feature is where the passenger’s airbag can be disabled to allow a backward facing child restraint used in that seating position. However, some of the main information about the status of the airbag are not that distinct and clear. The label warning of the dangers of using a rearward facing restraint without first disabling the airbag was clear and permanently visible. ISOFIX found in the rear outboard seats was not clearly marked.

Even if the C5 has not received any recognition for the protection offered by the front edge of the bumper, still the new Citroen C5 has been rated as four stars for child protection along with the good feature called the Pedestrian protection and scored maximum points on the bumper.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Citroen Leasing - Citroen C5 Contract Hire

Cars involved in relatively minor collisions are more likely to be written off than ever before, warned residual specialist, CAP. The news will come as a blow to self-insured fleets in particular, although all fleets will feel the effects as a result of higher insurance premiums.

The analysts at CAP attribute the willingness by insurance companies to write off apparently lightly damaged vehicles to the increasingly technological sophistication of modern vehicles, coupled with increasingly rapid depreciation. Air-bags and air conditioning systems top the list of features that are making even relatively minor collision damage increasingly uneconomical to repair.

“This means insurers are caught in a pincer movement between spiralling repair costs and a rising number of total loss claim settlements,” said CAP operational development manager, Mark Norman, at the recent annual Refinish Industry Survey Conference (RISC).

He said the cost of repairing or replacing technology such as multiple airbags and air/con systems added to the rapidly decreasing value of a used car makes it financially unviable to continue to repair many modern cars. “Despite their superiority in terms of engineering, performance and overall quality, today’s used cars are worth significantly less in real terms than their equivalent models more than a decade ago,” he said.

Mr Norman pointed out that a three-year-old Ford Focus 1.6 LX today is worth exactly the same in cash terms as a three-year-old 1600 LX Escort was 12 years ago. “Even though all the technological features such as ABS, full electric windows, remote central locking, air conditioning, air-bags and generally superior engineering and quality, make it a far superior car, the used car buyer is paying less in today’s market than for the car it replaced,” he said.

RISC conference director, Quintin Cornforth, added that typical collision repair costs have risen dramatically, thanks to technology such as supplementary restraint system parts and air conditioning components. Taking a two-year-old Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX as an example he revealed the extent of increased costs to rectify a relatively minor front corner impact, causing some damage to the nearside front chassis rail.

The repair to a 1996 car, without airbags and air conditioning, would cost £3,865 - or 52% of the car’s value.

The same work on a 2006 model car totalled £5,856 - or 88% of the car’s value.

Michio Suzuki is the founder of the famous automotive brand no other than Suzuki. He grew up in a small village in Hamamatsu where he learned that living is all about hard work and perseverance which are also the traits that lead him to success by means of his break-through pedal-driven wooden loom. After then, he continuously creates better working looms until his business boomed.

It was in the year 1920 when he created the famous Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Company with a goal of surpassing high end textile looms. After two years of perseverance, the company became one of the largest loom manufacturers in Japan and so he decided to export his works to nearby region; Southeast Asia and India in particular. With his success, he was determined to venture into other fields that would help the everyday living of his fellowmen and so Suzuki Motors was created to offer inexpensive yet reliable means of transportation.

Through the year, Suzuki launched different models of vehicles that are more advanced than the earlier kinds. Among its vehicle make is the Suzuki Grand Vitara which is a 4-door, 5-passsnger sports utility vehicle. Although it is not a ritzy brand compared to other vehicle that you see in the road, still it is packed with some serious features. Available in 6 trims, you can get this model from Base 2WD up to Luxury 4WD.

The first model which is the Base 2WD is mounted with standard 2.7-liter, V6, 185-horsepower engine that pull off 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the public road. Also equipped with standard 5-speed manual transmission and 5-speed automatic transmission that is discretionary. On the other hand, later model like Luxury 4WD is mounted with 2.7-liter, V6, 185-horsepower engine that is able to accomplish 17-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on highway.

Much more than the performance, Suzuki engineers also made sure to incorporate parts and components that will help in making occupants comfortable as they cruise down the road which includes a standard sunroof, multiple steering-wheel controls, split, reclining rear seats; six-disc CD changer; heated sideview mirrors; and keyless start. A value for your money! The keyless entry and start is among the feature which is most favored by owners.

It will save much of your time therefore making your entry and exit of your vehicle a whole lot faster. The dual-stage airbag, side curtain airbags, and front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags are also among those factors to watch out for and love! Moreover, you will also appreciate that the vehicle is mounted with electronic stability as well as tire pressure monitoring system. You’ll realize that despite its low price, safety is not set aside because the company believes that more than anything else, safety should come number one in a vehicle.

For better quality, the first model was replaced in the year 2005 by a new vehicle which was created in Japan that makes use of the same features found in GM Theta platform. The 2006 Grand Vitara was created independently by Suzuki engineers who were also the reason behind the development of the Theta. It is a rear wheel drive and it makes use of a longitudinally-fixed engine.

In general, this model received appreciation because of various features that it can give at a low price. However, since Suzuki company never want to stop creating vehicles that will make a different on the road, it was rumored that in the year 2008, the 2.0L 4 cyl and the 2.7 V6 will be updated to 2.4L and 3.2L respectively- a breakthrough to watch out for! Surely despite their humble beginning, Suzuki Motors had pushed through in becoming one of the most renowned vehicle makes.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Suzuki Leasing - Suzuki Grand Vitara Lease

At present, the price of gasoline continues to rise, for this reason a lot of motorists are finding more ways to save on fuel, some opted for alternative diesel while others choose to buy hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid vehicles are operated through a combination of electricity-run motor, a gasoline engine and powered batteries. The powered battery functions as the one responsible in giving off energy for the electric motor and also recharges when energy was brought up once lost when a car is decreasing its acceleration or while coasting.

Apart from being battery powered, the Hybrid car is also operated electrically and is able to cope up and function well at any motor speed. This is completely dissimilar to the standard gas-powered engines producing less power in low revolutions. Cars have transmissions in order to run at full range even if the speed is being lessened; this does not particularly suitable for the hybrid cars.

The motor of a hybrid car was designed to have resistance on the drive train slowing down the wheels in the process. The electric motor functions as generator and converting the energy produced into electricity. Afterwards, the energy is stored in the battery and is now ready to be of use by the electric motor.

When you tend to use hybrid vehicles, you will notice that they cost more than the regular cars since most of these types of cars are not often available in the market. Another reason why Hybrid cars are expensive is due to its complicated battery pack and makes use of an electric motor to operate. Also, when it comes to the maintenance of hybrid cars, the parts are a bit rare and so an owner would have to shell out a large amount of money to spend on checkups and fix-its.

One of the main points of hybrid cars is the feature called “regenerative braking”. It can function both as electric power and fuel power. Each can function by itself yet it all depends on which powers stronger when used. To put simply, the two power functions of hybrid cars complement each other and do not provide any destructive cause to the car.

The fact that hybrid cars are part battery powered, this car does not create huge holes on the pocket as compared to users of traditional cars who particularly feel the increase of oil prices in the world market. Japan made hybrid cars are considered more compact and lightweight. These hybrid cars are said to be easier to maneuver on the road making them more convenient to use.

People nowadays are very much in particular when it comes to taking care of the environment. Hybrid cars can contribute to this quest of a free pollution world; however, its impact may not be seen at present but as the year goes by and when all people are aware of how hybrid works fairly well, then this new innovation will definitely mark in the history of automobile.

There are also people who are not so much into hybrid cars for its expensive price yet, this car is worth the price because of its good effect to man and to the nature in general. Even insurance companies are advocates of Hybrid cars. They are offering incentives and encouragement among hybrid drivers as their way of helping the environment. Even though it would seem that these insurance companies are only offering these perks due to the fact that hybrid drivers are less likely to file claims, this is not their main concern. Insurance companies offering incentives are only helping in promoting smart environmental decisions among car consumers.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services - Vehicle leasing UK

Forget the Bugatti Veyron. If you really want to own the world’s fastest car you’ll have to look to America instead.

The Shelby SuperCars Ultimate Aero TT - you can shorten the maker’s name to SSC for the sake of your chequebook stub - is £400,000 of pure speed.

See the SSC advert on Auto Trader

Only 25 are being built in total. And the only one in the UK is currently for sale on Auto Trader. It might sound like a lot of money for a car you have barely heard of. But it is less than half the price of a Veyron (currently circa £830,000), and as of last year officially the fastest car in the world. Guinness World Records ratified its 256mph top speed during high speed passes on a closed section of Washington’s Highway 221 in October. That makes it four miles an hour faster than the 252mph über-Beetle from Bugatti. And forget about having namby-pamby four-wheel drive to keep things pointed in the right direction.

The Aero is rear-wheel drive only, and quite happy to spin-up the driven rubber at 190mph - as speed-run pilot and racing driver Chuck Bigelow (71, honestly) discovered during testing. Not surprising, really, given the 6.2-litre V8 engine in the back produces 1,183bhp and 1,094 lb/ft of torque - thanks to twin-turbochargers and race-style engineering. No amount of traction control is going to help you here. Not that SSC even bothers to offer it. The particular car available is in Cobalt Blue with a black stripe, and on sale at Clive Sutton Premier-Marques in North West London. Originally imported by one of the dealership’s clients, the owner has apparently changed his mind about the car, leading Clive Sutton to buy it off him.

It has 331 miles on the clock, sat-nav, reversing camera (which you will certainly need), air conditioning, and an air-lift at the front for clearing speed bumps - meaning it would be eligible for Top Gear’s hot lap board. 0-60mph in 2.78 seconds means it ought to do pretty well, too. To get the record, the Aero made two high speed runs, one in each direction, officially averaging 256.15mph. But it even cracked 257 in the process - 257.41mph, to be precise. Its theoretical maximum is over 270mph, comfortably beyond the 254mph the Veyron is said to have achieved unofficially, and other 250mph hopefuls from the likes of Koenigsegg.

However, there is a new British top speed champion in the works, the mysterious Keating TKR. This promises as much as 1,500bhp amidst claims it’s already gone faster than Bugatti in testing. It launches next week on St George’s day. We’ll be there.

It’s the performance car everyone’s been waiting for – the Nissan GT-R V-Spec has arrived in Europe.

As soon as Nissan’s engineers unloaded their priceless high performance flagship, press spies swooped to get these exclusive pictures. Ready to lap the Nurburgring circuit in Germany, the GT-R V-Spec is set to eclipse the performance of all rivals.

Visual clues are subtle, but enthusiasts will spot a unique rear spoiler to help to reduce lift at high speeds, while the alloy wheels have six spokes rather than the seven of the regular GT-R.

While the standard model produces 473bhp, the V-Spec range-topper is tipped to deliver up to 550bhp from its twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6. This is matched by a substantial 150kg weight reduction to make the flagship one of the most hardcore supercars on the planet.

The standard GT-R is set to cost around £55,000 when it goes on sale in the UK in March 2009, and the V-Spec will add £20,000-plus to that. It will join the range before the end of next year.

Michelin has broken new ground with its latest green rubber. While rivals warn that super fuel-efficient tyres may not handle and brake as well as normal ones, its Energy Saver has shown it can be done.

Its new compound minimises the heat created through the tyre deforming as it turns, so more of the engine power is used to move the car. This is critical to fuel consumption, as around one tank in five is used just to turn the rubber.

The result is a tyre which, in independent tests, returned fuel consumption that was around five per cent better than a premium make rival. Improvement in rolling resistance and fuel economy usually means compromises elsewhere, but tests by German standards agency TUV have shown that this fourth-generation Energy Saver should last a year longer than rivals.

The Energy Saver first appeared on Peugeot’s 308 and is now available in the aftermarket. The range covers 29 sizes, growing to 42 by the end of the year covering T, H and V speed ratings (up to 150mph). Prices are the same as for the existing Energy range, which it replaces.

There are a dozen reasons to get out of the way of this Aston Martin prototype – it has a V12 engine under the bonnet! This is the first picture of the production version of the sensational Vantage RS, which was revealed in concept form last December.

The roadgoing model will be powered by the firm’s Le Mans-derived 600bhp V12 powerplant, which will provide sensational performance. If early claims are delivered, the baby supercar will cover 0-62mph in only four seconds and sprint from 0-100mph in 8.5 seconds.

The engine is packed full of race-bred technology, and comes equipped with a dry sump, tuned exhaust system and heavily modified mechanicals. Expect the chassis to get an extreme set-up to match. However, only a few lucky customers will get their hands on an RS, because production will be strictly limited when the car goes on sale in the UK later this year.