Vans, Cars and Leasing

Muscle Cars are performance cars made for the most part in Detroit, Michigan from 1964 through 1974. The muscle car manufacturers placed large V8 engines in mid-sized vehicles, giving them high levels of performance and setting off intense competition between the manufacturers to produce the most powerful and fastest muscle cars for sale during those times.

Although auto makers had sometimes experimented with placing the performance based V-8 engines in a lighter mid-size platforms, and full-size cars such as the Ford Galaxy and Chevrolet Impala had high-performance models, Pontiac received most of the credit for starting the muscle car era with its Pontiac GTO. Started by Pontiac a, the GTO was far more popular than anticipated, and inspired many imitations and a  movement towards performance, both in the true muscle car class of intermediate vehicles as well as smaller cars like the Ford Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda and AMC AMX, and more luxurious and expensive cars such as the Buick Riviera.

Nevertheless, a large part of the appeal behind muscle cars was that they were mostly reasonably priced models that young drivers could manage to pay for. For instance, Chevrolet placed an extremely large 396 cubic inch motor in its compact Nova body. This would be comparable to taking Chevrolet Cobalt and putting a  Corvette Z06 engine in it. Mopar also had several low-cost models, such as the Dodge Super Bee and Plymouth Roadrunner.

Between 1964 and 1970, the Detroit companies were in competition for the bragging rights to the highest horsepower motor and offer the fastest muscle cars for sale. Horsepower numbers generally hit their peak in 1970, with the Chevelle SS 454 from that year is generally considered to have had the highest output, producing 450 horsepower. By 1971, most muscle cars began to fall out of favor and fade away, with Pontiac’s Trans AM model being the last one by 1975.

While they were fast cars in a straight line, most had poor performing brakes and suspension setups, and tires which were insufficient to handle the acceleration and speeds the engines made possible. These factors have all been to some degree addressed by after-market suppliers.

Bosses at Audi won’t rest until every possible niche has been filled – and now, the four-door coupé market is in their sights.

These exclusive images provide the best look yet at the new A7. It’s Audi’s challenger to the Mercedes CLS, as well as the forthcoming BMW 8-Series, and promises a strong combination of luxury, style and performance.

The A7 will showcase a raft of technology, including the second-generation of Audi’s MMI cabin control system. And according to insiders at the Ingolstadt company, it will raise the bar even higher in terms of interior quality.

Under the skin is a stretched version of the platform which underpins the stylish A5 coupé, although the newcomer will ride on air-suspension to provide an impressive balance of sharp handling and a smooth ride.

Six engines will be available from launch: a trio of V6 diesels, including an all-new 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged unit, as well as V6 and V8 petrol powerplants.

Hot S7 and RS7 models are in the pipeline, too. The latter will use a revised version of the 5.2-litre V10 in the current RS6, albeit tuned to give more than 600bhp.

When in the market for dual control car hire, dual control car leasing, or simply contract hire, it is of the upmost importance to know as much as possible about the source. One cannot find a better source for dual control cars and contract hires that Total Fleet Services, which has been in the business of contracting and leasing quality and serviceable vehicles ever since 1994. With fourteen years of experience in an industry full of get rich quick artists, Total Fleet Services truly does offer the top fleet package. It is worth it to take an in depth look at the many services they offer.

Dual control cars are excellent vehicles for driving instructors and driver’s education teachers. Cars fitted with dual controls have separate capabilities for the gas and brake pedals. In some cases they come with a second clutch as well. The safety benefits of these features are limitless. When a driving instructor is teaching a student, they can both feel completely confident in terms of their safety. In many instances, the student is understandably nervous. However, knowing that his or her driving instructor has the ability to take action in an emergency can ease the student’s anxiety considerably, which in turn encourages a better performance. By the same token, the driving instructor knows that he or she is in control should an emergency situation arise.

Through Total Fleet Services, driving instructors and driver’s education teachers can obtain dual control car hire or dual control car leasing, and substantially benefit their businesses by doing so. Duel control car leasing, for example, is ideal for any individual or company who needs a car but does not want to run the risk of damaging his or her personal car while doing business. Naturally, driving instructors can potentially be quite prone to that. If, however, an instructor is fairly sure he or she will want to keep one of these vehicles, dual control car hire can be a better option.

Dual control car leasing is also quite perfect for anyone teaching someone they know how to drive. For example, a mother teaching her daughter to drive or a husband teaching his wife to drive – naturally these individuals will likely not require a dual control car long term. Fortunately, Total Fleet Services offers a wide variety of plans allowing customers to lease cars by day and by week. However, in circumstances such as these, if the individual knows that he or she will only need to car for a certain amount of time, contract hire is also an excellent choice.

On the topic of driving instructors, Total Fleet Services offers many benefits to instructors who are interested in dual control car leasing. On contracts specifying fixed term rentals, instructors can receive a new car each year. The cost of the monthly rental also includes any repairs and automotive service, including excise duty, breakdown, home start, and recovery. Furthermore, all of the company’s dual control cars are equipped with He-man dual controls. Total Fleet Services also employs fixed costs, so prices are more affordable.

When consumers choose weekly rentals, they agree upon the amount, which is then stipulated in the leasing contract, along with VAT costs. To receive a car, customers need only pay a deposit, meant to ensure that the car will be returned safely and in good condition. This sum is refunded when the car is indeed returned in the proper condition. First time customers must pay a fee, but only for the first vehicle they lease from Total Fleet Services. If the car requires repairs at any time, customers may take it to a main dealer located near them. The service department at the dealership will call Total Fleet Services, and thus receive payment for repairs and maintenance.

Total Fleet Services has a wonderful selection of Saab 9-3 vehicles, cars with plenty of storage and cargo space that nonetheless drive like a luxury automobile. The Saab 9-3 Estate cars has a beautiful exterior and interior but the real joy is under the hood. The Estate comes equipped with either a 120bhp engine with a five speed manual, a 150bhp five speed manual, or a turbo charged 2.8 litre V-6 with a six speed gearbox.

Moreover the Saab 9-3 Estate is extremely fun to drive. The standard wheels are sixteen inches and are as conducive to cruising fast down A roads as they are to touring down more challenging back roads – larger wheels are available, which only serves to improve a quality of driving that is already tremendous, not to mention the fantastic grip larger wheel bases offer. The Estate also exhibits exquisite handling, and the diesel engines especially take tight corners with an extremely light touch.

The Saab 9-3 Estate easily has room for up to four or five occupants. Furthermore, the cabin is amazingly spacious, with plenty of room for comfort and space for occupants in the back seats as well of the front seats. The driver and front seat passenger will especially find that the roomy cabin and the stabilizing, comfortable seats invite longer and longer drives, while passengers in the back seats will marvel over the amount of shoulder and leg room that they are afforded. The Saab 9-3 Estate has extremely low noise levels so that neither road noise nor driving static are particularly noticeable. Air conditioning comes standard all the way round and both every day and back road driving promise smooth rides with no jostling, thanks to the low profile tires and the idyllic sports suspension.

The Saab 9-3 Saloon is a car which practically breathes class, taste, and an understated, subtle style that makes it a joy to both behold and to drive. The Saloon is praised for its powerful, purring engines and its luxurious but sporty drive as well – and it comes complete with an excellent, five start crash test rating.

The standard engine in the Saab 9-3 Saloon is a single, non turbo, petrol, 1.8 litre engine. A top of the line 2.8 litre V-6 engine features a six speed gearbox with either a manual or an automatic transmission, as well as 250bhp. There is also a five speed, 150 bhp engine which provides two hundred and thirty six pounds per feet of torque; the 120bhp offers two hundred and seven pounds per feet of torque and the V-6 engine comes with two hundred and fifty pounds per feet of torque. Overall, from the top of the range to the bottom, the Saab 9-3 Saloon is a joy even for those who are not interested in a fuel economic vehicle.

Even on the standard models of the Saab 9-3 Saloon, the ride is like a dream: it drives smoothly over any surface, whether the road is a perfectly paved city street or a rough and rocky back road. The handling is universally excellent all the way across the board and the Saloon’s steering is extremely light to the touch and eager to follow. The Saab 9-3 Saloon provides low profile tires and a strong, smooth suspension that makes it difficult for drivers and passengers to even know when they are driving over rougher terrain. The suspension system also makes for a smooth, secure ride at higher speeds. For such a powerful car, the Saab 9-3 Saloon has excellent traction even in less than savory conditions, such as rain, sleet, snow, and hail. Those models of Saab 9-3 Saloons which feature an automatic gearbox fare even better.

The front seats in the Saloon are extremely supportive and comfortable, and there is a delightfully surprising amount of leg room both in the front and in the back.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Saab Contract Hire - Saab 9-3 Leasing

The Seat Ibiza is one of the best selling of all of Seat’s cars and other vehicles. It is also one of the first vehicles of its kind to prove that a diesel powered car could work on the family market while still flourishing in the performance market as well. Both performance enthusiasts and soccer mums get a kick out of the Ibiza. Better yet, it is excellent for the fuel economy while still evoking a realistic speed and style.

The Seat Ibiza comes with one of two engines: the 180bhp 1.8 litre turbo petrol engine; and a 160bhp 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine. The 1.8 litre engine comes with 245Nm worth of torque; the 1.9 litre engine has 330Nm worth of torque. Either way, the Seat Ibiza gives an extraordinarily strong performance, especially given the kind of vehicle it is. It does as well on sharp inclines as it does on country roads. The gear box, a six speed manual, is extremely smooth, as is the overall ride – the ride itself is smooth and there is little noise or jostling to be felt.

Drivers praise the Seat Ibiza especially for its chassis and suspension, calling it sporty and free. It takes even the hardest of corners with ease and does extremely well on rough and broken roads. It has seventeen inch wheels sporting low tyres and the quality of its damping is sublime.

Driving the Seat Ibiza is a true experience. Its grip goes above and beyond, lending to a rather thrilling experience. The car handles even steep mountainous curves like a dream, the balance of its wet setting perfectly at all times. The brakes have a fantastic catch as well. The steering is well balanced too, and it responds with a wonderfully light touch.

The Seat Ibiza is available as a three door model and a five door model, both of which are equipped with hatchbacks. Standard features include speed sensitive power steering, power windows up front, an adjustable steering wheel, a CD player, an anti lock brake system, front seat air bags, and a folding year seat in the five door models.

Other features include a collapsible steering column and a mobile brake pedal, which is triggered to move out of the way if there is an accident. The dashboard features one shot moulding and it affords the front of the interior an overall sleeker, smoother appearance. The centre console extends up towards the instrument pod; from there to the centre, it angles outward, to surround the climate control system and the audio controls.

The seats in the Seat Ibiza practically breathe class and style. They are sports seats, and along with the steering wheel, they feature luxurious leather trim. The seats are solid, offering both stability and such supremely comfortable positioning that they easily invite long car rides and road trips.

At this time when people are still trying to get used to smart cars, hybrid cars, and other economically practical, environmentally safe vehicles, the Seat Ibiza is an innovative car. Innovation is sometimes punished and in this case, drivers might be wary about giving vehicles like the Ibiza a fair shot. That is understandable – one never knows how one will respond to a diesel car. However, the Seat Ibiza has been around for over twenty years, it is a name to be trusted. Even if potential buyers are still wary or simply cannot afford to buy an Ibiza should try a leasing or contract hire program. That might be more affordable in the long run and, anyway, it will give consumers a chance to experiment with the Seat Ibiza.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Seat Contract Hire - Seat Ibiza Leasing

Both drivers and critics consider the Dodge Nitro one of the toughest vehicles in its class. It is considered as rugged as it is practical and as fun to drive as it is smooth. The Dodge Nitro can seat up to five occupants and drives like a dream thanks to a 4.0 liter V-6 engine.

Outwardly, as mentioned, the Dodge Nitro looks like a powerful, aggressive SUV. Its silhouette is boxy enough to tell everyone on the road that it means business, and both the front and read fenders flare stylishly. Depending on the model, the grille is either silver and placed almost vertically or body colored with a crosshair design.

The Dodge Nitro features an independent front and a solid rear axle suspension system in both the sport and performance models. The performance suspension includes improvements with the stabilizer bars, coil springs, shocks, and bushings, and it is standard with the R/T model.

Due to the suspension, the ride in a Dodge Nitro is firm but completely smooth. It is made even better by the driver’s view which, thanks to a high seating position, is wide open and clear. In the Dodge Nitro R/T, the steering wheel is wrapped in thick leather – and it features an exquisitely light touch, thanks to rack and pinion steering.

Drivers of this SUV have the option of two engines: the 4.0 liter V-6 engine is standard with R/T models and it, too, is responsible for the Nitro’s satin smooth ride, especially with its five speed automatic transmission; the other option is a 3.7 liter V-6, with either six speed manual transmission or a four speed automatic.

Drivers can also choose between rear wheel and four wheel drive, as well as two 4×4 systems. Anti lock brakes are standard as well – stopping is smooth and precise.

Where the exterior is rugged and aggressive, the interior of the Dodge Nitro is classic and austere. There is a cluster of three pod gauges on top of the dashboard, which slopes sharply. The Nitro SXT, the base model, features black accents, whereas the SLT and the R/T models are accented in silver trim around the centre dash, the door handles, the door armrests, and within the centre console. Other standard features include manual air conditioning, a 115 voltage power outlet, and a CD equipped stereo.

The Dodge Nitro has room to seat up to five occupants. The driver and passenger seats are bucket seats, conducive to extreme comfort, support, and stability during long drives. In back, there is a folding seat which can be split and folded down in sixty/forty fashion. The rear seats’ backrests are able to recline, which also allows for supreme comfort during longer trips. The standard seating upholstery is soft cloth, but there are also options for stain resistant fabric and leather trimmed upholstery.

In addition to being supportive, the Dodge Nitro’s bucket seats are marvelously plush, especially the leather trimmed seats. Both the front seats and the seats in the rear are plentiful when it comes to room – not only is there room for five occupants, there is actual personal space for them as well.
The Dodge Nitro received five stars for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety administration. Standard safety features include side curtain air bags and an electronic stability system.

This 4×4 vehicle has over thirty cubic feet of storage room behind the back seats when they are upright. When the rear seats are folded, there is over sixty five cubic feet of cargo room. The SXT models feature a reversible floor in the cargo area, which has a bracing tray on one side meant to keep messes in one place, should they occur. Dodge Nitro SLT and R/T models feature the Load ‘n Go floor, which slides out of the storage region up to eighteen inches, so that it acts like a ramp for loading cargo. In both cases, storage bins are hidden beneath the floors.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Dodge Contract Hire - Dodge Nitro Leasing

The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in three different themes: Overland, Laredo, and Limited. In all three models, one touch window controls for the front doors and an electronic stability system come as standard features. Drivers who choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee have their choice of four engines: the standard is a 3.0 liter turbo diesel V-6; there is also a 3.7 liter V-6 engine; the 4.7 liter V-8 engine is able to use E85 fuel; and finally, the 5.7 liter Hemi engine features a Multi-Displacement System, which is designed to deactivate half the cylinders when it sense that the car is cruising or only lightly accelerating. This feature is extremely beneficial to the fuel economy, making the Jeep Grand Cherokee a more eco-friendly, money saving SUV than most other vehicles in its class. Furthermore, the 3.0 liter engine has two hundred and fifteen horsepower and three hundred and seventy six pounds per feet of torque; the 3.7 liter has two hundred and ten horsepower and two hundred and thirty five pounds per feet of torque; the 4.7 liter engine comes with two hundred and thirty horsepower and three hundred and five pounds per feet of torque; and the 5.7 liter Hemi has three hundred and thirty horsepower and three hundred and seventy five pounds per feet of torque.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is total 4×4 – there are three different four wheel drive systems available. The first, Quadra-Trac I, features a full time all wheel drive operation which operates automatically with no input necessary from the driver. The next is the Quadra-Trac II, which provides active four wheel drive on a full time basis and features low range gearing; lastly, Quadra-Drive II is better for off road driving, as it comes complete with electronic limited slip differentials.

In all models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is characteristic to the brand, with round head lamps bracketing the grille, which is chrome on the Limited, comprised of wire lattice work on the Grand Cherokee Overland, and the same color as the body on the Grand Cherokee Laredo. The Laredo also features the option for cladding.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has flaring wheels which evoke a feeling of power. Overall, it is over one hundred and eighty six inches in length, almost sixty eight inches tall, and sixty two inches wide. New colours are now available, among them are Red Rock Crystal, Steel Blue Metallic, Jeep Green Metallic, and Mineral Grey Metallic.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s interior is all about class and subtle style. The cup holders coordinate with the interior them and the Laredo features chrome accents around the gauges and the climate control system, while the centre console features a black bezel.

The upholstery in all three models is quite to die for. In Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo models, soft cloth upholstery comes standard, but buyers may upgrade to leather. In the Limited, the supple leather seats are two toned in colour and they have perforated inserts. Leather and lush suede cover the seats in the Grand Cherokee Overland.

The cabin has room to seat five occupants with ample space and comfort. A two toned instrument panel – featuring perfect symmetry – bright with a four gauge cluster of LED lit surfaces, accented in red, opens up before the driver.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Jeep Contract Hire - Jeep Grand Cherokee Leasing

Smart cars may just be the wave of the future. For potential buyers – or anyone concerned with the environment – smart car leasing and smart car contract hire is a perfect way to experience the smart car. Renters can get used to it, get accustomed to it, simply try it out – and, if they like it, they can continue driving it long term as a smart car contract hire. Total Fleet Services has a wide array of MMC Smart Fortwo smart cars in their fleet; taking advantage of smart car leasing or smart car contract hire with them could be much more affordable than buying one out right. After all, because smart cars are a relatively new trend, they can still be quite expensive – but leasing or contracting an MCC Smart Fortwo is well worth it, as is proven in the following.

The MCC Smart Fortwo is a small car – naturally, as small cars are well known for staying low to the ground, and thus providing smooth, easy handling and admirable fuel economy. There is no question, either, that the Smart Fortwo is quite cute – it is also the reason why one should never judge a car by its exterior.

The Fortwo’s interior is surprisingly roomy and spacious, not to mention very urban and artful. Colors, textures, and shapes are as unique as the Smart Fortwo itself, but in a more bohemian way than the exterior. The dashboard is broad and accommodating, and there is ample room for storage and luggage in the trunk. The passenger seat is now able to fold completely forward and completely backward, which allows even more room for storage – especially of long cargo.

The seats are safety seats, and the seat belts have been completely redesigned, made integral, and given an entirely new appearance. They are wonderfully contoured and so solid and stable that they guarantee total comfort during longer drives and trips. Moreover, the seats are upholstered in a matte fabric with a soft and silken feel, adding a touch of luxury amongst the bohemian design. This is even more true when buyers opt for the leather trim package.

The seats have been redesigned in more ways than one however. The designers of the MCC Smart Fortwo show a real economical use of space, with the passenger seat situated fifteen centimetres behind the driver’s seat: not only does this ensure the passenger has plenty of shoulder room, but the positioning guarantees that the driver’s movements will not be impeded whatsoever.

As for the way it drives, the MMC Smart Fortwo packs a lot of punch for such a small car, especially when the engine revs. Furthermore, the Fortwo will cruise smoothly and comfortably at fairly high speeds. The transmission has been greatly improved from the original, gears now change quickly and smoothly, thanks to an automated manual five speed transmission.

The MCC Smart Fortwo’s suspension has also gotten much better and the ride is a remarkably smooth one during both city and country driving. The Fortwo takes corners extremely well, especially for such a small car, and the steering wheel handling is truly amazing.

Driving an MCC Smart Fortwo helps to save the environment. Leasing an MCC Smart Fortwo can help save money, especially with smart car leasing and smart car contract hire through Total Fleet Services. The Smart Fortwo is relatively new, having been around for only ten years or so, and as with all new markets, buying it out right can be awfully expensive. Not only can smart car leasing allow a potential renter to get used to the car, he or she can also see how their budget holds up to renting a smart car and running it. Odds are likely that leasing will turn out to be more affordable.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Smart Car Leasing - Smart Fortwo Leasing

It’s the most stylish Subaru ever! And this striking Impreza coupé will go into production in 2010.

Joining the recently launched hatch-back model, it will allow the Japanese company to tackle the BMW 3-Series Coupé and Nissan 350Z head-on, as well as reach out to new customers.

The car has been developed as part of a joint venture with Subaru owner Toyota – the project will also spawn a long-awaited successor to the Nine-ties Celica. The Impreza coupé takes styling cues from the five-door model, but gets a rakish rear end. That gives it a chunky yet athletic appearance which stands out from the crowd.

Power will come from a choice of two engines, both employing the flat-four boxer layout for which Subaru is famous. There’s a normally aspirated 2.0-litre unit giving around 180bhp, or a high-performance 2.5-litre turbo powerplant borrowed from the range-topping five-door STi. The latter will deliver in the region of 300bhp.

For the entry-level machine, the Impreza’s four-wheel-drive system will be dropped in favour of a more lightweight and less expensive rear-drive set-up. That will put the emphasis on maximum driving thrills. But the more powerful car will send power to four tyres to harness all that punch.

The newcomer will go on sale first in Japan and the US, and could arrive here in the UK in 2011. In entry-level guise, it’s set to cost around £20,000, with the flagship priced at £25,000.

In a related story, Nissan is working on an affordable rear-wheel-drive coupé to sit below the 350Z. The Silvia replacement will go on sale in 2010.

Although the Fiat Punto is rather small – a bit less than one hundred and sixty inches in length – the small, stylish details like head lamps which sweep back and chic, chunky door handles, the car does not seem small at all. Quite the contrary, with its flourishing front end, its sides which are rather sporty and cool, and the neat but solid and stolid rear end, the Fiat Punto is a car quite unlike any other of its kind.

Inside, the Fiat Punto’s interior is comprised of hard, sleek, and durable plastics, with a very handsome matte finish which not only keeps it from being too boring and austere and instead turns it into something stylish and really rather chic. This vision is continued with the exquisitely precise panels and the perfect way they line up; it is evocative of a decidedly Swiss sense of order and clean, concise design.

Furthermore, the Fiat Punto is a beautifully urbanised vehicle, designed for city streets in addition to country drives. Nevertheless, the seats are extraordinarily comfortable, to the point that they practically beg to be sat in during longer drives and road trips. The driver’s seat features a choice of manual adjustments. The designers of the Fiat Punto also know the value of spatial economy: there is ample space for both the driver and the passenger in the front; in the back, the rear seats can seat two full grown adults with plenty of room left over – and three full grown adults while still offering a wealth of shoulder room and leg room. Morever, the hatchback has plenty of room for cargo and storage.

The Fiat Punto’s driving capability has actually been referred to as a masterpiece. The engine is a peppy, revving little creature. Despite the fact that the engine features seventy seven horsepower and two valves per cylinder, the Fiat Punto has also been called a mini Ferrari and really, who can ask for a better experience than that?

There is the option for a Duo-drive semi automatic transmission with a five speed manual transmission that is controlled by a computer, and the clutch is under the hood. When left to its own devices in straight automatic mode, the driver need not do anything – the car takes care of it all.

As a matter of fact, both critics and drivers alike insist that the Fiat Punto is the closest that one can get to driving a manual transmission while actually driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission. The gears change practically instantaneously, and they shift quickly and smoothly. Reverse is excellent, neutral actually has a purchase, and when drivers accelerate while the car is standing still, they will even feel a thrilling little purr of vibrations.

The Fiat Punto was ideally designed for excellent driving in European cities, and while it can handle country roads and back roads just as beautifully, it is perfect for city driving, thanks to the light touch, electronic speed, sensitive steering system. The steering tightens itself up a bit when drivers reach higher and faster speeds, making for all the necessary control. The Fiat Punto also knows how to take a tight curve like an expert.

The Fiat Punto’s suspension system is extraordinarily comfortable. In the city, even the standard Fiat Punto takes the typical city abuses like they were nothing at all, thus continuing its whole fun factor. All in all, the Fiat Punto is a car that is extremely easy to manage, has a whopping, impressive engine, a rip roaringly excellent transmission, exquisite handling, and an enviable fuel economy, making it both environmentally friendly and a great time to drive, all at the same time.

Written on behalf of Total Fleet Services
Fiat Contract Hire - Fiat Punto Leasing