Vans, Cars and Leasing

Great news for style-conscious sun worshippers! Fiat has confirmed that a convertible version of its 500 city car will go into production. Styling chief Roberto Giolito made the announcement in Turin, promising that the baby drop-top would be simple, affordable and “aimed at bringing maximum customer enjoyment”.

As a result, a complex, heavy folding hard-top isn’t likely. Instead it will get a light-weight retractable canvas roof, which is in keeping with the 500’s retro appearance. By using a simplified roof design, Fiat hopes to deliver fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures that will maintain the car’s urban appeal.

Contrary to the original plans, the car will have space for four. The compact canvas top has allowed designers to squeeze in a pair of rear seats, which will ensure the cabriolet is a match for its MINI Convertible rival.

Even though the newcomer has a fabric hood, engineers are confident of impressive refinement, thanks to the use of hi-tech noise-reducing material in the roof’s construction. As with the standard 500, the drop-top is set to offer buyers enormous scope for customisation – and they will even be able to pick from a range of colours for the roof.

Engine options are largely carried over from the standard 500. So when the car hits the road in time for summer 2009, there will be a choice of 69bhp 1.2 and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol engines, plus a 75bhp 1.3-litre Multi-jet diesel. A 135bhp Abarth variant has yet to be confirmed.

The large car leasing broker Total Fleet Services after many years experience in contract hire and personal contract hire of cars and vans have now also expanded into offering dual control car hire for driving instructors looking for leasing contracts.

Total Fleet Services have been running since 1994 and with this wealth of experience have turned into one of the largest contract hire brokers in the UK, offering great prices across a whole range of leasing contracts covering many different car and van manufacturers.

Now they have expanded into a new part of the market offering specialized vehicles such as dual control car hire for driving instructors, they are offering very competitive rates thanks to the network of contacts they have built up over the years and I am sure they will have every success in this new expansion.

 Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services - Car Leasing
Dual Control Car Hire

A report from the Ministry of Justice shows that speeding accounts for 40 per cent of all driving violations.

But it’s not traffic cops who caught these motorists breaking the rules – it’s speed traps. More than two million tickets were handed out in 2006, and a huge 95 per cent were snapped by fixed roadside cameras.

However, a clampdown in Suffolk suggests even more law-breaking motorists could have been collared using traditional methods. In a week-long initiative, police caught more than 1,500 speeding motorists with mobile cameras – while local Gatsos flashed only 364 times.

The Government report says that only one offence actually increased from 2005 to 2006. Careless driving was up by 26 per cent – a reflection of the crackdown on motorists using mobile phones since the ban was introduced in December 2003.

Here are great new pictures of the scorching Pagani Zonda replacement. We spotted the Italian supercar as it took a breather from testing.

As you can see, it is an evolution of the existing car, which is nearly nine years old. At the front, soft curves replace sharp creases, while a wider grille has been fitted to aid cooling and improve the looks.

These changes to the bodywork should also improve aerodynamics, with greater high-speed stability and refinement the main benefits.

The cabin structure and glass area have been carried over from the current car, and the interior has received only minor changes, keeping the same mix of hand-stitched soft leather and bespoke aluminium controls and trim. But the big news is at the rear. Look closely and you’ll spot two gaping air scoops on top of the rear wings, together with a single duct on the engine cover.

These additions hint at a new powerplant instead of the current 547bhp 7.3 V12 supplied by AMG, Mercedes’ tuning arm. Heading the shortlist to replace it is the supercharged 5.4-litre V8 unit from the McLaren SLR, which produces up to 680bhp in the 722 GT version.

Combine that with the Pagani’s lightweight carbon fibre construction, and performance is sure to be blistering. The 0-60mph sprint is likely to dip below three seconds, and top speed should be comfortably beyond 200mph.

Although no launch date has been set for the new Zonda, the first showroom-ready examples are due in dealerships early next year.

Councils have just found a new place to hide cameras – on lollipop sticks! It’s the latest way to catch law-breaking motorists.

The new technology is designed to crack down on drivers who fail to stop or hurl abuse at council workers. The Local Authority Association claims that 1,400 patrol staff are victims of road rage each year, despite the fact that a lollipop is legally identical to a red traffic light, and ignoring them can lead to fines.

Images captured on the cameras, in Kirless, West Yorkshire, could be used to prosecute drivers. Maker Routesafe claims another 150 councils across the country have also expressed an interest in the devices, and could soon be using them, too.

The system uses a pair of tiny battery powered cameras – one filming the road in each direction. These are activated automatically when the lollipop is carried at an angle to the middle of the road, then planted upright on the tarmac.

They record until the stick is moved again, but because of the purposely designed narrow lens, capture only what’s happening on the tarmac, and not pedestrians on the pavement. The video footage is stored on a memory card. It allows 40 hours of patrol use, and sound recording is available as an option.

Each lollipop costs £890, which is pricey compared with £250 for a regular one. But, as Routesafe’s product manager Lee Fairbrother explained, it’s cheaper than the alternative: “A CCTV camera fixed on a pole would be £1,000 and it can’t be moved around.”

This flexibility is part of its appeal, as most councils who are interested want to buy a few so they can move them around different crossing patrols. “They believe the deterrent effect would be enough,” he added.

Car makers are so keen to go green, even the horsepower-crazy German tuning houses are getting in on the act!

Brabus, the firm behind the likes of the 720bhp C-Class-based Bullit, has introduced a range of tuning kits for Mercedes diesels. The ECO PowerXtra module not only increases bhp and torque outputs, but reduces CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, too.

It can be fitted to any of the brand’s oil-burning CDI models, and bosses say upping torque at low engine speeds is the key. There’s even a kit for the already economical E300 BLUETEC – that makes Brabus the first tuner to meet stringent new Euro V emissions regulations, which don’t come into effect until 2011.

But don’t worry, the tuning expert hasn’t turned its back on what it does best. It has also released the first picture of its take on the facelifted Mercedes SL. The roadster has a 6.3-litre twin-turbo V12 pumping out 730bhp and 1,100Nm of torque.

Vehicle brands come and go. This is a world where survival of the fittest exists and luckily, BMW has been able to surpass all the challenges and in fact, they had always remained on top or at least very close to it. Having a reputable name in the industry can give respect and admiration brought upon by great audience. The appreciation given to the brand is not merely because James Bond got one in one of their model to his movies because much more than this, BMW has something to show off. Through the years of their existence in the auto world, they were able to produce various models and one of those is the BMW 1 Series.

Basically, the BMW 1 Series is a small luxury car essentially a family vehicle, created in the year 2004. This model is also among the vehicle of its class that feature a rear-wheel drive as well as longitudinally-mounted engine which is an internal combustion engine by which the crankshaft is situated along the long axis of the vehicle. The longitudinally-engine is also known a north-south engine.

The BMW 1 Series was created to replace the BMW 3 Series Compact models. But unlike the other model, the BMW 1 Series was fashioned on an original platform although it shares its component with the E90 3 Series. It was created in Regenburg and Leizig, Germany and this is currently regarded as the smallest and the less expensive among BMW listing. Because of its cheap price but high quality components, it became one of the bestsellers of the company. In fact, an estimate of 149, 493 units were sold. Like technology that changes in an instant, BMW decided to upgrade the first model into a 3-door sports hatch variant in 2007. A little change was done in the original’s taillight and headlight, bumper and on its interior. It is created with elongated doors and frameless windows that will help make the most of the car’s sporting appeal. The place where the passenger stays is set a little far back, drawing the eye at once to the rear axle. The car’s more dynamic side skirts further underline its dynamism, inviting you to open the door and take a seat. Moreover, the interior of the BMW 1 Series is magnificently made that you will surely love! Its steering wheel and gearstick is mounted perfectly. You can as well observe that the quality-focused approach to design is applied even on the smallest details of the vehicle. You need not be a driving enthusiast to appreciate the smooth integrity.

But more than the feature seen on the BMW 1 Series, the Company also employed smart features which significantly lessen emissions and perk up fuel consumption while boosting performance. This is in view of the company’s commitment of preserving the environment against the problems brought upon the emissions of vehicles. Fuel consumption is as well reduced to help both the vehicle owner and the economy. And because BMW believes that above anything, safety should come first, they had equipped BMW 1 Series with all the necessary parts that would work in ensuring the life of its occupants. Among the safety features that it is mounted are brake force display, xenon headlights, airbags and restraint system. And so if you are looking for a model that will give you the best deal when it comes to its features and specification minus the price then the BMW 1 Series is the thing to have! Surely, you’ll never go wrong if you choose a brand which had been the leader of innovation and value even from the start.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
BMW Contract Hire - BMW 1 Series Leasing

Vorsprung durch Technik- this is the principle behind every Audi vehicle. The phrase means ‘advance through technology’ which is evident in the lineup of vehicle that the company present to the automotive world. Among the manifestations of the good work of a German company known as Audi is the A3 which was produced in 1996. This is a compact luxury vehicle that was created based on the platform of Volkswagen A and other models like Volkswagen Golf, Audi TT, Caddy, Touran, SEAT Leon, and Skoda Octavia. Two generations of this model was launched into public.

The Audi A3 does not resemble the look of any other Audi models nor does it look like Volkswagen GTI and Rabbit which is its distant relative. The first generation came around 1996 up to 2003 which is presented with three-door hatchback body and it employs five valves with four-cylinder configuration. To go with the demand of the generation, it was redesigned during 1999 into a 5-door car. The engine had also undergone tweaking for better performance.

During 2003, the second generation of Audi A3 was created with better design and stylish contours that will surely capture the heart of every vehicle enthusiast and aficionados. Mounted with new light cluster, enhanced interior and additional five-speed or six-speed manual gearbox, it is expected to make a name in the industry. And as expected, it was renowned by the public therefore making Audi A3 one of the best models there is. Also, it features Direct-Shift Gearbox or DSG that enables quick changing of gears for better driving experience and at the same time cost-effective fuel consumption.

But the rise of the second generation did not stop the company of improving this model because in 2006, a new generation was designed which is an exact carry-over of the 2003 model apart from a few changes and improvements it employs. Performance is well assured with its 4-cylinder turbo-charged engine that can create up to 200 horsepower. It is also mounted with renowned McPherson suspension that provides stability as well as perk up its cornering aptitude.

Indeed, the Acura A3 is the thinking person’s performance car since it is very fast and very talented, as well as space- and fuel-efficient. Although small, it is also packed with all the safety features required in a vehicle like the standard airbags that work well for frontal and side impact that offers padding for the occupant’s chest and abdomen. The door on the driver’s side gives support to its aperture, which keep the body shell structurally sound.

The door is made up of an aluminum beam that interlocks with the sill therefore extending its efficient height while the door’s contour against the occupant remains just about vertical in case an accident occurs. Furthermore, it won’t be bothering to ride a child with you since the rear seat belts possess automatic locks for use with child restraints, although no instruction label was given on the belts. A little problem though, the belt buckle for grown up slightly interfere with the guide slot on the suggested child control as a result, it prevents the belt from being appropriately tightened.

This model had proven that even small cars can do wonders! It is packed with technologically advanced features that will make each ride as pleasurable as ever. Comfort is given because of its amenities like radio, cd player, mp3 player and a lot more. You will definitely not feel bored all throughout your ride so you can take your love one with you for a long ride and never even be bothered with the distance! There is only one major problem; the Acura A3 comes extremely expensive!

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Audi Contract Hire - Audi A3 Lease Hire

They say that if you want to make a long lasting impression then you should make an impression during the first time. Indeed, the Chrysler 300C was bale to make a big scene upon its release. In fact, in a street where there is a wide array of vehicles, you won’t find it hard to spot this model in an instance because of sophisticated look that would draw your eyes to look at it.

The Chrysler 300C is the performance version of the 300 but with a Hemi V8 and it is powered by an automatic transmission. Its engine is competent enough in shutting down valves and fuel injectors for vacant cylinders. This is especially helpful to preserve gas during operation which set this model apart from other vehicles on the road because of this unique feature which save fuel therefore helping the owner in their expenses an the whole economy as well. It is also mounted with 18′ wheels and SmartBeam headlamps that come standard that is a kind of headlight that perform better than the usual kind of headlight to augment visibility most specially when driving in a darkly lit areas like night time driving or when there is a harsh weather condition. Also for the occupant’s safety, the Chrysler 300C is also fitted with four-wheel-disc antilock brakes that will stop the vehicle precisely on the right moment when the brake pedal is pushed therefore reducing the risk of bumping to the vehicle located in front of yours. Furthermore, the traction control and an electronic stability control system is also used.

Mounted with chrome-plated door handle that opens up an interior that is stylish and appetizingly clean, you will feel relaxed all throughout your ride. Its dash and door panels are two-tone, the lowers is highlighted with taupe to lend an airy feel while on the other hand the upper part is in deep green hue. The panels that house the information screen are completely readable and it is finely crafted along with the tach and the speedometer. As most people would say, owning the Chrysler 300C will give the feeling of 1960s style when you look at the dash’s satin-silver finish that is created in perfect rectangular shape. It also features an analog clock just at the top of the center vent as well as an LCD display at the bottom which the company calls as the Navigational radio. Comfort is also given because of its AM/FM tuner, MP3 player, 6-disc CD system, and DVD-based navigation system. Moreover, the Chrysler 300C is fitted with comfortable seats as well as huge space cabin that will permit you to move around to get the position that you want while taking the ride. Its climate controls are simple yet classy because of its minute chrome accents on the knobs and plain pictograms for the ventilation modes.

Buying old model of the Chrysler 300C is a good idea particularly in terms of financial aspect since by buying this kind, you can free yourself from the abrupt depreciation rates that happen with brand new vehicles. This is especially good news for those people who would want to ride a vehicle minus the huge amount of money that will be spent if you go for a brand new. You won’t have to worry about the quality of second-hand Chrysler 300C because all of its models were finely crafted to last for a long period of time so you can be sure that although it is old, quality is still there. Indeed, it is a real value for money! Its performance, road charisma and luxury seek to the levels of big European sedan at a lesser price!

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Chrysler Leasing - Chrysler 300C Leasing

When the Mercedes Smart for Two micro cars began to surface in America in 2008, a new innovation and subcompact segment has been launched. This is an alcove market specialty vehicle that can be very suitable for metropolitan set ups where parking has become the main problem due to it being tight and expensive.

Thus, those people will find the 8-foot, 8-inch Smart ForTwo to get more attention than those common hybrids. This mini car is over three feet shorter than Mini-Cooper that is often called as “golf cart”. This mini car can accommodate two and can fit into an ordinary parking space comparable to a motorcycle instead of doing a parallel parking. The Smart cars are expected to make its distinctive mark especially to urbanites in San Francisco and other crowded cities along both coasts.

The majority of smaller or mini cars sold in the U. S. have been relatively cheap and these cars are mostly manufactured and built in Korea. The Mini Cooper and Toyota Scion have proven that there is a growing market for quality small cars. ForTwo is very little for it only weighs 1,800 pounds powered by a 70 hp three-cylinder rear mounted engine and with a top speed of 90 M.P.H. Penske Automotive Group, the second-largest dealer chain, has contracted to distribute the Smart and enlisted 73 dealers nationwide. Europeans on the other hand, have these mini cars as part of their lives for over ten years now.

Mercedes has designed this roller skate to overcome safety obstacles faced by every mini-car. A lot of Crash tests and even videos are made available on the internet, which showed that 4 out of 2 is safer than other tiny cars, especially those manufactured in China. During an intense crash tests, the steel safety cage that serves as shield for the passenger has withstand deforming. This mini and inexpensive car has observed standard safety features that can also exist with other luxury vehicles. Its features include four air bags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and collapsing steering column.

This will also be tested by The U.S. government after it arrives in the market. A lot of Builders believed that it will pass and even receive four stars in American crash tests. It even recently received four out of five stars in the Euro New Car Assessment Program tests. The Smart mini car is given in three affordable trim levels: one is the base-level Pure; The Passion and Passion Cabriolet convertible.

Apart from that, Smart already has the environmental brand image And the hippest part is in terms of color. All you need to do is to unscrew the plastic body panels and replace it with any hue you please. This has been tagged as one that is very trendy, fuel-efficient, and cost effective. But the “Smart” may not fit what an automotive shape of the future should look like.

The vertical posture is the one that distributes crash energy beneath the car. This is the reason why it creates a large frontal area that hurts fuel efficiency. Smart’s very high drag coefficient of 0.38 causes fuel economy to fall in proportion to speed more quickly than the other designs. While the ForTwo could be a start and a contributing factor towards a spatially efficient America, the gas mileage is not significantly above 4-seater cars. With the 505 horsepower asphalt-ripping Chevy Corvette rated at 29 m.p.g. highway, the 40 m.p.g. for a micro-car hardly qualifies.

Therefore, mini cars offers advantages and disadvantages and it would be up for car consumers to decide which is of better quality and what will suit their needs.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Mini Car Leasing - Mini Cooper Leasing