13th July 2010

Peugeot 508

Peugeot 508

Say ’allo ’allo to the new face of Peugeot! These official pictures of the 508 saloon and SW estate give a first glimpse of a classier and more restrained look for the brand – which is repeated on the forthcoming 309.

The 508 replaces the 407 and larger 607, and sits between the two in terms of size. That means it offers plenty of space, but a smaller footprint than the slow-selling executive model.

At the front is a narrower grille, as designers move away from the current gaping look. It’s part of a sleeker design for the nose, with a slim air intake under the grille and LED running lights below the tapering headlamps. The Peugeot name is spelled out below the Lion badge on a subtle lip linking bonnet with grille.

The car pictured is the top-spec GT, which gets large alloys and chrome detailing. This model is set to cost £24,000, as Peugeot matches prices of the 407; entry cars will be around £19,000.

Buyers will get a choice of a four-door or SW estate. Power is from the RCZ’s 1.6-litre petrol turbo engine or a 2.0-litre HDi diesel with up to 163bhp. Both can be mated to six-speed manual or conventional automatic boxes.

In addition, Peugeot will offer the 508 with its groundbreaking HYbrid4 powertrain. This links a 163bhp 2.0 litre HDi engine to a 37bhp electric motor to send 200bhp to all four wheels, and slash CO2 to below 100g/km.

The 508 is 10mm longer than the 407, giving extra rear legroom – key for the Chinese market, where buyers are often chauffeured. The 508 will be built there as well as in France, and is due to debut at October’s Paris Motor Show, before hitting dealers here in the spring.

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9th July 2010

Features of the Audi A5

When it comes to the 2010 Audi A5, there are many different features you need to know about it. This car is a great example of sophistication, luxury as well as performance that all operates in a wonderful harmony.

Exterior
The exterior of this vehicle improves on the concept of the classic coupe. It has a muscular, low-slung stance as well as a pronounced single frame grill that has LED daytime running lights available on it. This feature is what gives this car an unmistakable Audi look, while also enhancing the look and aesthetic of the vehicle. This vehicle has a timeless shape to it as it has a sculpted, fluid look to it. From the attention of the body lines being sculpted and fluid, right down to the five spoke alloy wheels, this vehicle makes an elegant statement which helps to earn it “Design of the Year” from the Automobile Magazine.

Interior
This vehicle has been designed for the driver, with many storage spaces available in the cockpit, and also having benchmark materials as part of the design. Due to the design, the driver of the Audi A5 should have no issue in being able to reach the controls from their position, and they should have no issue with their comfort while driving. The finest materials have been used when it comes to the interior of this car, and the craftsmanship is wonderful. Some of the storage spaces in this vehicle are a spot to store your water bottle as well as storage nets on the back of the seat.

Luxury and Entertainment
While the interior of the Audi is very comfortable, you will be happy to know that your experience while driving this vehicle will be just as good. To make sure you are comfortable, leather seats are standard and the leather wrapped steering wheel is also standard. You can choose different genuine wood inlays to continue the level of sophistication of this car. A sunroof is another standard feature of this vehicle, which allows for fresh air and an unobstructed view of what is going on overhead.

Technology
When it comes to new cars, one of the biggest draws is the new technology within the vehicle. The Audi A5 is no different in that you will get the Audi valvelift system which is used to maximize air intake and exhaust to make sure you are getting the maximum performance. You will also receive Sirius Satellite radio with a free three month subscription to check it out. Another important piece of technology these days is the Bluetooth that is built into the car for easy hands free communication.

Safety
A big factor when choosing a new vehicle is the safety of it, as many people are travelling with small children and other precious cargo. As a result, the Audi A5 has six different airbags in it. This includes driver and front passenger dual stage airbags, as well as dual threshold next generation airbags that have occupant sensors. There are also driver and front passenger chest side airbags and Sideguard head protection airbags for the outboard occupants with a rollover sensor. This car also has an ultra high-strength body made of steel. You will also find an innovative brake disc wiping system which works to improve the braking in wet conditions by pulsing the brakes.

When it comes to the Audi A5 you know that you are getting a great car, with a sophisticated and sleek look to it. This car has some great new features in both technology and safety so you know that you are safe when you are driving this vehicle. While it may not have as much power as some of the other vehicles out there, it likely will meet your needs.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
Audi Contract Hire - Audi A5 Contract Hire

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6th July 2010

The New Audi A1

Audi A1

The Audi A1 is the newest of the small coupes trying to duplicate the Smart car. The makers claim they are trying to attract the younger hip crowd of urban dwellers in order to capture a market that is easily missed, newly graduated college students looking for a chic brand but a practically attractive car. Well, whether they succeed in gathering the age group they are seeking business or not this is a sweet little automobile. With two trim packages and all sorts of optional extras this is an easily upgraded safe vehicle that also has reliability and durability of branding from the German makers.

Audi is the premier of autos with its Metroproject Quatro hybrid with excellent fuel emissions and mpg. The A1 is a compact car that will rival the Mini Cooper in style and dependability. Its extremely well built interior is not only stylish it is made for ease of use for the driver. The seats are stylish and comfortable with options available. The newest attraction added for those recently graduated is the state of the art up to the minute system with the i-pod or i-phone plug ins, navigation system, rock your world stereo and beyond excellent speakers.

In its bid to out class the mini class Audi has combined luxury sedan interior comfort with sporty exterior and performance you would expect from this one hundred year old auto maker. The car comes with choices in engine and transmissions as well as an hybrid model. It comes in a sporty hatchback or sedan model with choices of interior and exterior trim packages and upgrades.

Made for easy maneuvering around town to zip into parking spaces or easily park in a parallel spot without having to squeeze in with bigger cars jamming the space. In the world of more compact vehicles growing up in the name of going green this awesome vehicle won’t seem like a sacrifice to drive. This sporty luxurious incredibly fun ride will keep you wanting to run errands longer than may be necessary.

When it comes to perfection on wheels in a mini size it is hard to beat this superior design, low to the road easy to handle construction and you have the Audi A1. With its German engineering and heritage this is a car you will keep you riding in style showing off your chic taste but save the world mentality.

When it comes to financing options you can count on several choices including purchasing, leasing and buyers choice. Financing the car with the recommended options from the Audi dealer is an excellent choice for the buyer who wants to get the best deal.

There is always the choice of utilizing a bank or credit union. As for other options there is leasing in one year to four years terms with various mileage options. This is a great deal for anyone interested in exchanging or upgrading to the latest newest vehicle every few years or someone who really doesn’t take long trips or put a lot of mileage on a car during the course of a year.

Another option is to look into buyer’s choice where the buyer turns the car in at the end of the term, or purchases it out right from the dealer or obtains financing from his own sources. This is a great option if you want to walk away free and clear at the end of a term without being upside down on a vehicle. Whatever way you want to own your vehicle the Audi A1 is an excellent vehicle to test drive and then fall for.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
Car Leasing - Audi Contract Hire

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2nd July 2010

The New Volkswagen Polo

New Volkswagen Polo GTI is an award winning sports coupe. On first appearances it does not resemble a sports car but upon further inspection it is definitely something that will haul. The car lives up to its German name in its construction and durability. This car has some unique features for a car of this size. For one thing it has a six speed transmission with a clutch on the floor or a tap clutch on the steering column. Either one allows the car to go from zero to sixty with relative ease and speed.

The comfort of the interior is surprising for a sporty coupe with wrap around seats. The cockpit surrounding makes it easy to reach for things in and around the dashboard. The steering column has a telescoping design for added comfort and convenience. Several features are alluring including the built in Navigation system, i-pod plug in, travel modes and awesome stereo system. It has numerous protective devices including dual front airbags, side airbags and steel constructed side doors for the safety of the driver and passengers.

Moving around the outside of the car one of the many surprising features is the dual exhaust pipes to give the car a sporty look. The front of the car has a honeycomb grill that wraps around increasing the look of a sports vehicle. The VW logo emblem on the trunk also doubles as the trunk release, this discourages would be thief’s and is great fun to tease others with.

The windows come tinted to provide maximum protection to the driver and passenger’s eyes and keep sun damage off the interior of the vehicle. The trim packages are optional and add an even sportier look to the vehicle.

As with all Volkswagen products this is a quality vehicle in both construction and reliability. Built to withstand all of life’s little bumps in the road this is an excellent little coupe that not only looks sporty but also will continue to be reliable. The average miles per gallon are 21 in town and 31 on the highway. There are numerous warranties and options available when purchasing or leasing a GTI coupe. With a sticker price beginning at just under 24,000 this vehicle is a great investment.

Financing options are as varied as the people who purchase one. There are straight out financing options with a VW buyers choice or the purchasers own financing. If that is not an attractive option there is the lease option or the first time buyer option or a potential client can chose to driver’s option. Each option has a specific value depending on the customer’s needs. If the customer wants to return the car every one to four years than this is a great option. It allows the buyer to lease the vehicle for a determined amount of time and then return the vehicle for a new one.

Buyer’s option is available in certain states and is perfect if you want to use the vehicle for a time and either return the car and walk away or buy it out right for the difference in the value of the car and the amount put in on the monthly payment plan. There are special programs available for the college student or a first time leaser depending on the credit score and amount of down payment needed.

With so many options to chose from and warranties available the Volkswagen POLO GTI is an incredible option for anyone looking for versatility and style, an impressive little coupe that handles with ease and comfort it is worth a closer look.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
VW Car Leasing - VW Polo Leasing

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1st July 2010

About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars are getting to be more popular vehicle choice for a variety of reasons. They are innovative, efficient and are becoming more affordable for the consumer to purchase. These cars feature a small, fuel efficient engine which is combined with an electric motor that is used to assist the engine when accelerating. The electric motor has batteries that recharge while you are driving which helps with some of the efficiency in these vehicles. Due to the decreased fuel consumption, they are great in regards to helping the environment, as they are not putting out as many emissions and greenhouse gases.

A hybrid car gains some of its efficiency due to:

Regenerative Braking - The electric motor can be used to slow down the car. The motor acts as a generator which allows the batteries to charge while the car is slowing down and coming to a stop. This power is then used when the car goes to accelerate.

Periodic Engine Shut Off - When you are stopped in traffic, the engine will temporarily shut itself off to conserve energy. When you put it back into gear, it will turn itself back on to allow you to drive.

More Aerodynamic - As a result of the style of these vehicles, there is less drag on a hybrid car while you are driving. The tires have been made narrower and are stiffer, which also assists with the drag. Due to the decrease in drag, the vehicle does not need to use as much fuel.

Materials - The materials used in making hybrid cars are lighter which helps to increase the efficiency and fuel consumption in these vehicles.

Many manufactures are already in the process of developing or producing their own hybrid vehicle, but if they are not, they are getting ready to start developing one for a number of different reasons. One of the major reasons is due to greenhouse gases and emission controls in various parts of the world. There are a variety of places that have requirements as to how many emissions a vehicle can put out, and the more fuel that a vehicle uses, the more emissions it puts out. These then have to be removed from the atmosphere somehow, as the world is trying to decrease greenhouse gases which are a large source of global warming. If a company can produce a car that uses less fuel, such as a hybrid which operates on several different methods, they will have an easier time meeting the emission controls. As these vehicles use less fuel, consumers will be happier as they will cost less to run and keep operational.

When you decide that you want to get a hybrid vehicle, you have a variety of methods available to you for getting one. You can buy it outright, go through a leasing company or get a contract hire for your hybrid. There are definite benefits of each option, and you will want to look at these before deciding on how to finance or purchase your next vehicle. Depending on how you plan to use this vehicle, personal or business, it may be beneficial to discuss it with your accountant.

Hybrid cars are definitely a popular choice and more and more people are turning towards purchasing these types of vehicles due to the increased mileage and the decrease in emissions. These vehicles help people to save money due to the vehicle costing less at the time of purchase as well as the decrease in fuel consumption. As people purchase more of these cars, there will be more available with more choices to be made.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services by John Eva
Hybrid Car Leasing

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