Driven
Issue 8 Winter 2017
Contents. 4-5
A new era of Volkswagen design.
The stunning new Arteon has arrived at your local Vindis Volkswagen retailer.
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A new name for your Audi.
Completely new model designations are set to grace the Audi range.
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Change is in the air.
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Take advantage of this year’s diesel scrappage schemes.
Introducing the ŠKODA Karoq. Equipped for all of life’s adventures, the Karoq is a great addition to the range.
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Connect with us.
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Your new Bentley Cambridge.
Look out for us on social media, and enter our exciting new competition.
Our official June launch event was an evening to remember.
20-21 Vindis Apprenticeship Programme. We can’t wait to welcome the next generation of professionals to our family.
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ŠKODA Octavia vRS 245. The Octavia vRS is back with more power for an incredible driving experience.
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It’s all upsides when you upgrade. Discover Vindis Upgrade, the easy way to purchase your next vehicle.
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Stay safe this winter.
24-25 Bentley Continental GT. The world of grand touring is changing and
We’ve put together some helpful tips to help keep you safe this winter.
12-13 Off to a great start.
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It’s time to express yourself with the Volkswagen T-Roc, arriving soon.
the new Continental GT is ready to join you.
26-27 The crossover built for the bold.
Read all about our exciting Huntingdon Audi launch earlier this year.
Navigate through modern life with the new SEAT Arona by your side.
Bake the world a better place.
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Our very own MCN award!
There’s not much better than coffee and cake, and it’s for a great cause too!
Our Ducati dealerships have risen to the top to receive their very own MCN award.
The sound of a new era.
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California XXL.
The Ducati Desmosedici Stradale is taking the bike world by storm.
16-17 The new Tiguan Allspace. The Tiguan Allspace is the perfect travelling companion.
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Get ready T-Roc.
Volkswagen’s latest concept camper is big enough for all of life’s adventures.
30-31 The return of an icon.
the Audi RS4 Avant is back, and it’s more powerful than ever before.
Welcome to the Winter 2017 edition of Driven magazine. 2017 has been a busy year at the Vindis Group, with the launch of our new and improved Bentley Cambridge and Huntingdon Audi dealerships, and of course with the beginning of our Cambridge site moves. Our brand-new Vindis Service Centre in Waterbeach is officially up and running and we’ve been pleased to be able to offer a far more streamlined, and time effective service for you, when you leave your vehicle with us for maintenance. We can now look forward to the coming year which heralds the arrival of our Volkswagen Van Centre into Cambridge and the completion of our new Volkswagen and ŠKODA dedicated sales showrooms. The much-anticipated arrival of a number of new SUVs this year means that we have details on the SEAT Arona, Volkswagen T-Roc, ŠKODA Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace so now is the perfect time to start planning your next adventure. Alternatively, if you’d like to know about the very latest performance models to arrive with us, you can discover the beautiful new Bentley Continental GT on pages 24-25, and the return of the iconic Audi RS4 Avant on pages 29-31. We couldn’t let you go without mentioning our latest accolade from the team at MCN, awarding Best Single Franchise of the Year 2017 to Vindis Ducati. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement and sharing it with our customers, without whom this would not be possible, really is the best way to celebrate. It’s a huge thank you from both myself and our Ducati employees to all that have supported us since our opening last year. I hope you find this Winter issue of Driven informative, and of course should you have any questions regarding its content, or have anything you would like to see in the next one, please email marketing@vindisgroup.com with your thoughts. In the meantime, on behalf of all at Vindis, I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year. Jamie Vindis Managing Director, Vindis Group
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Eye catching, from any angle.
A new era of Volkswagen design. W
ith a Geneva International Motor Show premier under its belt the Volkswagen Arteon has been making quite the impression at our Volkswagen retailers, and if our lovely customer’s feedback so far is anything to go by, then it’s making quite the impression on the road too. A picture of elegance, the Arteon impresses with its eye-catching looks including frameless side windows and range of stylish alloy wheels. The striking radiator grille at the front extends all the way to the LED headlights, encompassing all of the front design into one. To distance it from other models on the market, Volkswagen have created the Arteon as a Fastback, (essentially a hatchback with a long, sloping roofline down to the bumper.) This gives a much sleeker appearance to the new model, creating sweeping lines down the body and providing a much more aerodynamic feel from the longer wheelbase. The name itself is derived from the Latin for ‘art’ and alludes to the sleek design.
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Sitting above the Passat in the current line-up the Arteon is available in two models, the Elegance and R-Line, which comes with its own, exclusive styling. With a high level of standard equipment in all models you are guaranteed to enjoy Nappa leather (in a choice of five stunning colours), 6-way ergoComfort seats, a multifunction steering wheel, Lane Assist, predictive dynamic cornering lights and Discover Navigation System… (we could go on but unfortunately space is limited.) If you’d like a much better idea of everything that comes as standard in this vehicle, please speak to a member of the team at your local Vindis Volkswagen retailer! Inside you’ll find generous headroom for both front and rear passengers, for the ultimate relaxing drive, no matter where you find yourself sitting. Opt for the optional panoramic sunroof to fill the interior with light and open up the field of vision. Step around to the back of the Arteon and you’ll find a hugely accessible, spacious boot adding practicality to the expressive design.
As you drive away in this stylish car you can appreciate power ranging from a perfectly peppy 150PS to a positively powerful 280PS, which is complimented with Volkswagen’s 4Motion, all wheel drive technology to keep you sure-footed on all road surfaces. The Arteon, we’re sure you’ll agree, is an absolutely exquisite new model and really raises the benchmark in terms of communication, connectivity and navigation. We recommend you take a test
drive of this new model to really appreciate what Volkswagen have achieved here, and of course to experience the comfortable drive and great handling. There’s many happy motoring miles to be found in the brand new Arteon.
Visit www.vindisgroup.com/contact to locate your closest Vindis Volkswagen retailer.
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New model designations grace the Audi range.
With a model range made up solely from letters and numbers, with S, RS and R models topping off the traditional A and Q vehicles, Audi have decided that a change is required in how its range is presented.
means that now power will be denoted by numbers, ranging from 25 up to 55. For example, ‘30’ will represent 81 and 96kW (110 and 130PS) and ‘45’ will represent 169 and 185 kW (230 and 252PS).
Beginning with the recently revealed, brand-new Audi A8, the models will now be distinguished by a twodigit number instead of the traditional engine badge. As you know, each Audi model will have a range of punchy engines available for you to choose from, but each engine size could also come with a range of power outputs. So, for example, an A7 with a 3.0 TDI engine could come with 218PS, 272PS or 320PS.
Dr Dietmar Voggenreiter, AUDI AG Board of Management Member explains, “As alternative drive technologies become increasingly relevant, engine displacement as a performance attribute is becoming less important to our customers. The clarity and logic of structuring the designations according to power output makes it possible to distinguish between the various performance levels.” As mentioned, the new A8 is the first model to receive this new badging, before it is rolled out across the rest of the model range over the
In order to help create a clearly defined hierarchy amongst each model range, Audi’s new system
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course of Spring 2017. RS and R8 models will not be included however, and will instead keep their current, classic names. Confused yet? We know it’ll take some time to work out which number relates to which power output but we bet come this time next year you won’t even remember how it used to look! Of course, it’s a positive move for those who prefer vehicle performance to be more visible and can also help you understand what you are looking for when purchasing a new or Approved Used Audi in the future. As always, remember we’re here to help so when the new model badges hit, and it still seems a bit unclear, please just ask for clarification and our Sales teams will be more than happy to explain the new system.
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rivers who own an EU1 to EU4 vehicle, registered before 2010, may find that now is the ideal
time to trade in their vehicle for a brand new, more environmentally friendly model. Since the EU1 emissions standards came out in 1992 there have been many major advancements
Change
is in
the air.
in technologies. EU1 diesel engines had a limit of 780mg/km of NOx whereas today’s EU6 engines comply with a much stricter 80mg/km. Extra advantages from these new engines include a big improvement in fuel economy so there’s even more to entice the everyday driver. There’s clearly a lot to be gained from removing EU1-EU4 engines from the roads, which is where the scrappage scheme comes in. Available on a range of brands, including Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, SEAT,
ŠKODA and Audi, the scheme offers up to £8,000 off a new car, with eligible trade in vehicles scrapped and taken off the road with immediate effect. Perhaps you’d like to trade in your vehicle for £2,500
Take advantage of
off the all-new SEAT Ibiza, or instead get £7,000 off a
the diesel scrappage
new Audi A6. There are so many models available in
scheme before 31st December 2017 for
conjunction with the scrappage scheme that we know we can find you something perfect, for a lot less than you may think.
great savings on your next new car.
To find out if your pre-2010 diesel is available to scrap on the scheme, visit your local Vindis dealership to see what’s available. Our teams can talk you through the models you could be taking home on, as some models are excluded, and can inform you of the scrappage allowance available on your old vehicle. But don’t delay, the scheme ends on 31st December 2017 for new orders.
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V V
Equipped for all of life’s adventures, the brand new Karoq takes the SUV family to a new level, and is at home navigating the city as it is exploring new frontiers. The incredibly popular Yeti was, up until the arrival of the larger Kodiaq, ŠKODA’s only SUV offering. The Yeti garnered die-hard fans and frequently scored highly in driver surveys across the UK. However, with the need to expand its SUV offering, ŠKODA has finally called time on the Yeti, and we’ll certainly be sad to see it go. We still get many requests for the model to date, and with factory orders ceased it’s a race to claim the very last of the new UK stock. Nevertheless, its replacement is a beautifully designed, pleasingly comfortable and exceedingly practical vehicle. It’s an exciting time to be searching for your next SUV. Say hello to the new ŠKODA Karoq. Sitting beneath the mighty Kodiaq, which is capable of carrying up to seven passengers, the Karoq has equally strong ambitions for on and off-road driving. The vehicle takes its name from the language of the Alutiiq tribe who live on an unspoilt archipelago off the coast of Alaska; a combination of the words ‘KAA’RAQ’ meaning car and ‘RUQ’ meaning arrow (which also represents the key feature of the ŠKODA logo.)
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Available in SE, SE Technology, SE L or Edition trim, (which comes with 19” Crater alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a 9.2” navigation system), the Karoq also comes with the choice of a manual or automatic gearbox, and optional four-wheel-drive. A choice of 12 colours are available to ensure individuality and of course the alloy wheels are swappable to something sportier should you prefer. Of course, as with all of the ŠKODA range, the optional extras are extensive with the ability to add everything from heated front and rear seats to rear tablet holders and an electrically operated boot, (which makes it even easier to access the 1,820 litres of space with the rear seats down!) Of course, once you’ve decided on your model, you can pick from a 115PS or 150PS petrol or diesel engine to get you to where you need to be fast. If you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle the ŠKODA Karoq is a fantastic place to start and it is currently open for order here in the UK. If you are waiting to test drive the Karoq then do let either of our ŠKODA retailers know and they will be pleased to give you a call as soon as it lands in our showrooms.
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Vindis Upgrade
Motoring without the downsides. When you buy a new car from Vindis you’ll join our exclusive upgrade scheme. This means we will contact you at the opportune time for you to upgrade your vehicle, which could be earlier than you think.
Your needs, your preferences, your way. You can choose to stay in your current model, or, if your circumstances have changed, opt for something bigger or smaller. You can even choose to move across our brands. The power really is in your hands.
No downsides, just simplicity and convenience. Vindis Upgrade, probably the best way of purchasing your next vehicle.
It’s all upsides when you upgrade. 10
Stay safe this winter.
We’ve put together our top tips on how to care for your vehicle this winter.
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ith winter firmly in our sights it’s vital to ensure that our cars are prepared for the temperatures that we face. With the worst of the weather hitting us at the beginning, rather than the end of the year, and temperatures frequently dropping below 7oC, (the point at which cold weather tyres are recommended), now is the perfect time to take ten minutes out of your day to check your car is winter ready. We’ve put together our top tips to remember, to give you and your vehicle the best chance in these challenging conditions. Make the switch to winter tyres Between October and March, temperatures are on average below 7oC, and as a result the performance of your tyres is greatly decreased. The rubber compound of winter tyres is specially developed to improve grip, traction and handling, bringing you to a halt much faster than your regular tyres. Unique tread patterns help to stop aquaplaning, helping to improve steering and acceleration. Rotating between summer and winter tyres will prolong the life of both sets. Remember, the legal tread limit is an absolute minimum of 1.6mm, though we recommend you change at 3mm. Below this, braking distances are greatly increased. If you’re unsure, try this simple trick; place a 20p coin into the main grooves, in three different places. If you can still
see the outer rim of the coin, make sure you get them checked by a tyre professional. Lights, wipers, action! Before setting off on your journey ensure your car is free of loose snow, and pay particular attention to the visibility of your lights and registration plate as you could be punished if these aren’t clear. Make sure you’re regularly checking your wiper blades as they are in increased demand in the cold months, and never use your wipers to remove snow and ice from the windscreen as this will damage them unnecessarily. Make sure you top up before setting off with a genuine washer fluid, which has a low freezing point and will ensure a clear, salt free windscreen. If you’re unsure how to top up this fluid check out your vehicle brand’s website, as they all contain easy how-to videos for your guidance. Winter health check Volkswagen, ŠKODA, Audi and SEAT all offer lowcost vehicle health checks throughout the year, with winter health checks usually available until the end of February. Our trained technicians will check all the above points, including battery health and brakes pads and discs to give you peace of mind. Please speak to your local Vindis teams for details of current available health checks.
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Off to a great start. B
ack at the beginning of this year, those of you who visited us at Huntingdon may have noticed something a little strange about our Audi centre - mainly that it had been completely demolished, and our beautiful display of new and Approved Used Audis had been replaced by rather less beautiful diggers, (though beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we agree!). For what seemed like ages, our lovely Sales team were working hard from our Service building next door, whilst our brand new, state of the art Huntingdon Audi arose from the rubble. With the new building now looking so inviting it was fitting to organise a launch event worthy of our new dealership. With our new centre the perfect setting to show off the very latest Audi models, including the eye-catching Q2 SUV, which garnered a lot of attention on the night, we decided to set up most of our activities on the forecourt. Earlier that day, customers who visited Huntingdon Audi will have noticed what appeared to be a giant bouncy castle in the car park. As fun as this would have been, (and much to the disappointment of our staff!), this was instead an incredible inflatable marquee ‘cube’ and was perfect to keep all of our guests warm and dry as they joined us in the evening for food and entertainment. From traditional fish and chips, and a pizza oven serving freshly made pizza as you wait, to delicious, sweet crepes we couldn’t wait for the
feast to begin. As our caterers prepared food for the crowds, our drinks bar, which was a delightfully converted, vintage horse trailer served up a selection of beer, Pimms and pink lemonade. Our guest band serenaded the crowds, our magician wowed guests with his tricks, and we saw plenty of you unleashing your inner child on our Scalextric and photo booth. We were over the moon that so many of you took time out of your day to join us on this special occasion. It was fantastic to see so many of you join us again, and were pleased to see new customers who had come to take a look around our new home. As the sun began to set, and our cube lit up we were ready to hear the latest news from Tony Cumberland, the Head of Business at Huntingdon Audi and Mark Morris, our Audi Brand Director. As the last of the crowds left we all agreed that the latest launch party had been one of our favourites, and as much as we hate uprooting our dealerships in order to complete the latest improvements, you have to agree it’s a great opportunity for a party! Again, thank you so much for joining us, and if you couldn’t make it we hope you’ve had a chance to pop in since. We even have our very own configuration room so you can create the Audi of your dreams with one of our sales executives!
Thank you for helping us launch Huntingdon Audi, 26th April 2017. 13
Bake the world a better place. I
t’s a bit of a tradition at our dealerships to get involved with the Macmillan Coffee Mornings, which this year took place on Friday 29th September. We’re still well on the way to raising our Macmillan fundraising target of £52,000 so whether it’s exciting events, or just a lot of cake on our desks, we love getting involved on the day.
our desks we checked our emails to find that all of our dealerships, from Cambridge up to Fakenham, were all enjoying what has to be one of the easiest fundraising tasks.
By 10am we couldn’t wait any more and slowly but surely the crowds here at Head Office began to grow around the Macmillan table! As we sat back at
Keep an eye out for our latest Macmillan fundraising efforts, and keep up to date with our total on justgiving.com/company/vindisgroup.
At the end of the day we must not forget why we hold these coffee mornings, and that’s in aid of the brilliant work that the Macmillan nurses up and down So, as usual on our favourite Friday in September, the country do. It’s also the reason we’re honoured to we arrived at work armed with sponge cakes, muffins, be working with the charity to raise our target, which sausage rolls and brownies, and waited as long as we will pay for a Macmillan nurse in the local area for could for an acceptable time to raid the cake table! a whole year. Our busy Accounts department have been collecting our fundraising efforts and to date we Year on year we are taken aback by some of our have already banked over £815 for the charity, for this employee’s creations and the effort that goes in to event alone. It’s an incredible effort, and just goes to making the coffee morning that little bit more special. show that a little really does go a long way!
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The Sound Of A New Era.
Ducati Desmosedici Stradale
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torque of over 120Nm making it one of the closest offerings to a full Ducati racing bike that you can buy for road use.
he latest exciting news to emerge from Bologna, Italy arrives in the form of an announcement from the brilliant people at Ducati, heralding the arrival of a brand-new engine, and one that is as at home on the road as it is on the tracks. We’d like you to join us in welcoming the Ducati Desmosedici Stradale. The V4, 90˚ engine has been designed with Ducati’s success on the racetracks in mind, taking inspiration from the experience the brand has gained in MotoGP, where V4 engines have brought the brand great success. With such excellent performance on the tracks, the fourcylinder Desmosedici, which graced Supersport models, has now led us to the compact new Stradale.
Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, said; “We are proud to reveal this technological jewel that starts a new chapter in our company’s history, demonstrating its vitality and high level of investment in the development of new products. This engine also demonstrates the close collaboration between Ducati Corse and the group developing production motorcycles, and how much racing is able to develop technology that is then usable for the standard models.”
The new Desmosedici Stradale will be twinned with the Ducati Panigale V4, which was unveiled The new engine marks an important chapter on November 5th at the Ducati World Premiere in the company’s history as this will be the 2018. For further details on this new addition, first four-cylinder engine available in a massincluding full technical details, you can visit the produced Ducati road bike. So now, whether dedicated site at desmosedicistradale.ducati. Ducati enthusiast or newcomer to the brand, you com. Alternatively, the team at Ducati Cambridge can feel some of that track excitement, no matter and Ducati Peterborough will be pleased to show where your journey takes you. It delivers a power you around the latest range and book you in on a output of 210hp at 13,000 rpm and a maximum test drive you’ll never forget.
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There’s so much more to discover
The New Tiguan Allspace
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hen it comes to finding an SUV for your growing family, bigger can only be better, and with seven seats now available in the new addition to the Tiguan family, there’s an exciting new option to test drive. We know by now you’re well aware of the boom in SUV offerings, and if you’re in the market for one, you will be aware of just how competitive it currently is. For this reason, to rise to the top, new SUVs need to satisfy a families’ requirements for practicality and space whilst offering a premium driving experience and stylish exterior package. We know the new Allspace ticks all these boxes and then some, so let’s see what this new model has to bring to the Volkswagen line-up, and why we can’t wait for it to join us. The new Tiguan Allspace builds on the dimensions of the current, five seater, second-generation Tiguan which arrived with us in 2016, offering an increase in both length, from a longer wheelbase, and height. In total this adds to an extra 145 litres of space over the standard Tiguan. Fold down all
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the rear seats and this large SUV has the capacity of 1920 litres. We don’t think there’s much you couldn’t fit in the new Allspace, but as soon as our demonstrator vehicles arrive, we’ll be the first to test out the space! If the standard five seat layout still leaves some of your passengers stranded, these new dimensions allow for the option of a further two seats in the rear. The exterior of the vehicle displays a redesigned radiator grille with stylish chrome trim, some of which extends all the way to the headlights for a seamless look. Of course, let’s not forget that the new Tiguan is, above all, a highly practical family vehicle and so roof rails and granite grey underbody protection are provided as standard, alongside a choice of two or four-wheel drive from launch. Should you be planning to take your passengers somewhere off the beaten track then the ‘off-road package’ is an ideal option, adding special engine underbody protection and improving the car’s approach angle by seven degrees.
Performance from the range of petrol and diesel EURO 6 engines starts at 150PS and reaches 240PS, so there’s plenty of scope to make the new Tiguan Allspace your own. Three models offer high specification, from the Trendline, to the top spec Highline. This top of the range model features three zone Air Care climate control, keyless access, full LED headlights with advanced functions, adaptive chassis control, 18 inch alloy wheels and ambient lighting amongst
a range of other features. Whichever model you choose, and no matter how you choose to personalise your vehicle, you can rest assured that there’ll be nothing missing when you head off on your next adventure. The new Tiguan Allspace was premiered at the Geneva Motor Show and we expect a release date for the end of 2017, but we will of course keep you updated with the very latest as more information is released.
LED lights
Radio & Navigation
Active Info Display
Head-up Display
Optional front LED lights and rear lights with LED technology provide a striking look and brighten the road ahead.
The display pops up at the touch of a button to display important information such as speed, traffic signs and navigation data.
Replacing traditional dials for a high res screen, this offers the rev counter, speed, navigation and much more at glance.
The display pops up at the touch of a button to display important information such as speed, traffic signs and navigation data.
The new Tiguan Allspace is coming soon so please ask your local Vindis volkswagen retailer to keep you informed.
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Connect with us. Stay in the loop with all things Vindis Group
@vindisgroup
vindisgroup facebook.com/vindisgroup
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@vindisgroup
Feeling lucky?
Enter our competition by answering the questions below for your chance to win yourself 2 x Northampton Saints tickets to a home game of your choice, and full valet voucher at your local Vindis dealership. Simply email marketing@vindisgroup.com with your answer, full name and email address. Which of the following is not a Ducati model? a) Scrambler
b) Monster
c) Diablo
The competition closes on 12th January 2018 and the winner will be notified by email, no later than 19th January 2018. Only one entry per person. If we cannot contact the winner, or do not hear back within 7 days we reserve the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at random.
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our new Bentley Cambridge receives its official launch E
arlier this year we took the decision to move our Bentley Cambridge retailer from Milton Road in Cambridge to a brand-new business park in Fenstanton, in order to not only expand our dealership, and the selection of vehicles we can offer, but also bring it up to the most modern Bentley standards. The Lakes Business Park allowed for us to create a large showroom with lots of windows to allow natural light to show off the cars to their absolute best. So, once our new home had been built there was only one thing left to do, and that was to host our very own house warming! We set to work planning a relaxed, summer’s evening to entertain our guests, and what better day to choose than Wednesday 21st June, which just happened to be this year’s longest day. Welcoming in our customers from 7pm we served a selection of drinks and canapés throughout the evening whilst a band kept us entertained. The enthusiastic team from Bentley Motorsport also joined us to share some stories and knowledge, and we were proud to show off the powerful Continental Supersports which soon
became the centre of attention. Outside our showroom we were also lucky enough to have a selection of impeccably looked after heritage models, to show off the history of this iconic brand. Our launch event was a great success, and a big thank you goes out to all of those who joined us on the day. Since then the new Bentley Cambridge has seen the arrival of customers, old and new, to take a look at our new premises, test drive the latest range and leave their beloved car in our care for maintenance. We welcomed the Bentayga Roadshow, had an exciting preview event for the new Continental GT and we’re looking to welcome the real thing in January, (so if you’re looking to take a test drive of that, please do contact the team on 01223 423515 as soon as possible.) If you’ve not yet had chance to pop in and visit us then we’d love to welcome you in and show you around our showroom and servicing facilities, and we are happy to talk you through the latest range over one of our popular coffees.
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Here at Vindis we’re keen to help the next group of motor industry professionals carve out their own career in the industry, whether they have just left school or are simply looking to retrain later on in life. We work hard to select the most driven candidates to join the Vindis Apprenticeship Programme where, once completed, they will leave with a qualification accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). We sat down with Anna Fleet, our People Development Manager, to find out more.
What is the Vindis Apprenticeship Programme? To provide some background, the Vindis Group has a long history of investing in apprentices to grow and develop talent across the organisation, and this ethos is still strong across the business streams that the Vindis Group has today. Apprentices offer us a way of nurturing talent across the business and with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017, we were determined to turn this into a positive for us; at that time we already had 31 Apprentices across the group and wanted this to grow, not reduce. That said, with the Levy coming in, it was important for us to understand how we could manage this centrally to maximise the opportunity to apprentices whilst minimising the financial impact of the Levy. We introduced the Vindis Apprenticeship Programme (VAP) in June this year and worked with each of our centres, and many Head Office members, to develop a programme that would see the first fixed ‘intake’ of apprentices into the Vindis Group. Previously, we recruited apprentices as and when required on an individual basis for each centre. VAP provided us with the opportunity to help the apprentices develop relationships with each other, as well as building relationships in their place of work, by starting them all at the same time. As such, we developed a week-long bespoke induction that gave the successful apprentices a week to remember. We were really keen for the Apprentices to experience each of our brands and be immersed into the Vindis Group’s business ethos; Cherishing Customers; Valuing Employees and Progressive Leadership and they certainly had a week to remember. We don’t want to give it all away as it will spoil the surprise for our successful 2017/2018 applicants, but the below pictures might give you a quick insight!
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What are the Entry requirements? This depends on the chosen apprenticeship, however to keep it simple, there are no age restrictions and it’s a minimum entry requirement of 3 GCSEs Grade C/4 or above in English, Maths and a Science.
What roles can you become an apprentice in? Currently, you can be an Apprentice in our Accounts Department, Parts Department, Service Department or Workshop. However, we are working closely with local Colleges and Universities to build our Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeship offering.
How long does the programme last? Programme lengths vary from 2 -4 years depending on the level and chosen apprenticeship.
Where is the apprenticeship taught? Our Apprenticeship routes all have a blended learning approach so they can learn the theory away in a classroom and then have time to apply their learning in the roles they are doing; supported by e-learning modules and coursework in between.
What training is covered? This is where it varies dependant on programme, however, they will cover a multitude of specialisms linked to their role so everything they learn will be able to be applied directly to their job. This is a great way for people to develop their knowledge in specific areas.
Is the apprenticeship accredited by a professional body? All of our Apprenticeships are accredited by the Industry Standard, so if you were to complete a Light Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship for example (or a Technician to you or I) this would be accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry.
It sounds like a fantastic opportunity! One of our busy Heads of Business left us some feedback on one of his hard working apprentices, commenting, “I’ve seen Cameron each day for a catch up, and he’s so enthusiastic and ‘wowed’ by what he has experienced. He looked absolutely knackered last night! His feedback was overwhelmingly positive about his experience and the people that he has met.” So, if you would like any further information about the Vindis Apprenticeship Programme, please email training@vindisgroup.com to contact our lovely training team.
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THE NEW OCTAVIA VRS HATCH 245 F o r
a
s u p e r i o r
T
d r i v i n g
he sporty ŠKODA Octavia vRS 245 is the latest addition to the range, and arrives as the most powerful Octavia ever from the Czech brand. ŠKODA have cleverly squeezed an extra 15PS out of the current petrol engine to bring the power up to an exciting 245PS, and the hatchback and estate models sprint from 0-62mph in just 6.6 and 6.7 seconds respectively.
e x p e r i e n c e
function, a multifunction steering wheel, (with a heated version optional), and LED interior lighting to bathe the interior in one of ten colours. Open the boot and there’s more than enough space for your next road trip, with 590l in the hatchback and 610l in the estate.
Both the ŠKODA Octavia vRS 245 hatchback and estate are available in a choice of four colours: As with the previous model, the design offers clean Corrida Red, (which we think look stunning against lines and sharp full LED headlights, and matches up the black design features), Moon White, Magic sporty alloys and black detailing to top it off. Inside, black and Meteor Grey. the generous space makes the vehicle a sensible choice for both the daily commute and those long- We guarantee that you’ll fall in love with these new distance trips and all of us at Vindis agree this is models so we’d love you to come to your local one of the most eye-catching models in the range. Vindis ŠKODA dealership to speak to our team. We can advise you of all options available, including Step inside and you’ll notice Alcantara sports seats when we expect to offer you the test drive you’ve with integrated headrests for extra support, an been waiting for, courtesy of the powerful Octavia electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with memory vRS 245.
Vindis ŠKODA Cambridge 59 Cowley Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 0DN Tel: 01223 507507
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Vindis ŠKODA Bury St. Edmunds Dettingen Way Blenheim Industrial Park Bury St Edmunds IP33 3TU Tel: 01284 732160
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e hope you’ll forgive us for wishing this year away but a few months back we discovered that Volkswagen were releasing a completely new SUV called the T-Roc. As more information was released, and the October launch date approached we prepared ourselves for some special dealership preview events where we could finally show off this new car to our customers. After that it was a waiting game, and all we have to do is hold on until the vehicle’s official UK launch in December. The current Volkswagen SUV range consists of the Tiguan (not forgetting the soon to arrive Tiguan Allspace with up to seven seats, which you can read about on pages 16-17) and its big brother, the Touareg. The T-Roc
now offers buyers something a little smaller, but with equal practicality and fun looks. The boot is plenty large enough for everyday family life, with 445 litres of space or 1290 litres once the 60/40 split rear seats are flattened. Despite its larger size you can rest assured that this small SUV offers agile, dynamic handling and truly is designed to be noticed.
sensors. Full personalisation is available with the new T-Roc and its refreshing design allows for splashes of colour both inside and outside of the cabin. A range of four contrasting roof and dash pad colours are available on the Design and SEL so you’ll never lose your vehicle in a busy car park. If you find the standard features lacking that certain something there’s the option to add reversing cameras, keyless Currently available to pre-order in access, rear traffic alert, blind spot three trims, starting with the SE, monitor, park assist, emergency which includes 17” alloy wheels assist and traffic jam assist to and climate control, and rising to name just a few of the available the top spec SEL which offers 18” options! (Phew!) alloy wheels, LED lights and an 8” touchscreen infotainment system. So, you’ll understand why we’re all Whichever trim you decide quite excited for the arrival of the on, standard features include T-Roc, and you’ll hopefully forgive Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane us for getting a little ahead of Assist and Front and Rear Parking ourselves this Winter! Should you require any further information on the new T-Roc, our Sales teams are ready to take your questions and can register your interest should you like to test drive the vehicle as soon as it lands with us in December. So, what are you waiting for, it’s time to express yourself! Contact your local Vindis Volkswagen retailer by calling: Bedford - 01234 327932 Cambridge - 01223 424472 Fakenham - 01328 864951 Huntingdon - 01480 461019
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The new Bentley Continental GT The world of grand touring will never be the same again
Now longer and lower in its profile the new, third generation Bentley Continental GT truly is a sight to behold. Designed and handcrafted exclusively in Britain it is arguably the finest Grand Tourer ever produced and offers a seamless integration of cutting edge technology and natural materials. With a sleeker body than the outgoing model the new Continental takes much of its inspiration from the stunning EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, which was revealed back in 2015 at the Geneva Motor Show. Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer commented it was “a bold vision for a brand with a bold future” and luckily, we haven’t had to wait too long for this bold future to arrive. The Continental GT is described as the next step in Bentley’s journey in terms of both design and engineering, the latter of which is no more apparent than in the powerhouse that sits beneath the bonnet. The brand’s iconic 6.0 litre twin turbo W12 engine has been enhanced for a superior drive and, twinned with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and their intelligent Dynamic Ride System, offers fast, efficient gear changes and an exhilarating driving experience. 626bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque equal a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207mph, and with figures like those you’d be forgiven for thinking there will be a compromise on other aspects of the car. Well, Bentley is not a brand to do things by halves, and the incredible power is complimented by one of the most beautiful interiors you could come across. The 20 way adjustable seats come in a new ‘diamond in diamond’ quilted leather design and come with cooling, heating and massaging functions. They will cradle you as you sit within ten square metres of wood, that has taken no less than nine hours to create and fit by hand, which
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probably explains why it takes around 17 times longer to build a Bentley than a Volkswagen Golf. And, despite all of this, the new Continental GT is over 80kg lighter than the outgoing model, which offers improvement on both performance and handling. On the outside there are 17 standard paints to choose from and a limited-edition range of colours available at launch. Of course, when it comes to a car as exclusive as a Bentley then their colour-matching service means that only your imagination is the limit. The ellipsis shaped taillights show off LED Matrix technology and a design that mimics the light-reflecting properties of fine cut crystal, (unfortunately we’ll have to take Bentley’s word on that one!) The star of the show comes in the form of a rotating, 12.3 inch touchscreen in a three-sided unit. The first side is veneer, which blends seamlessly with the dashboard. Rotate the screen to reveal three dials; a temperature gauge, a compass and a chronometer for a classic look, or rotate again to reveal the retina-quality MMI display with fully configurable home screen. It’s a beautiful design feature from the team at Bentley and one we don’t think we’ll ever get bored of seeing. The new Continental GT received its Bentley Cambridge centre launch at a special preview event in November and we’re hoping demonstrator models will be with us in February next year. We are currently working on preorders so if you would like to book an appointment with our team at Cambridge then don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to seeing you and helping making your grand touring dreams a reality.
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The New SEAT Arona
Built for the bold. 26
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he SEAT Arona was first revealed to the world as it came flying through the air over crowds on Barcelona’s sundrenched beaches. Hanging from a helicopter 300 metres above sea level, the Arona made quite an impact over the city that SEAT calls home and served as a teaser for an exclusive preview event that followed. In September the vehicle was revealed officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is now available at Vindis Milton Keynes SEAT.
jungle. That’s why it features such strong protection in the bumpers, the wheel arches and the dark coloured rubber side skirts, as well as the roof rack and the aluminium look-like protection at the bottom of the bumpers” commented Alejandro Mesonero, SEAT’s Design Director.
The new Arona is perfect for everyday driving, due to its compact size, advanced technology and safety features and it also offers a great choice of engines, depending on your The Arona sits below the larger driving style. An efficient 95PS Ateca in the line-up and is and 115PS petrol, or 95PS diesel the brand’s first entry into the engine, will get you to your crossover segment. A much destination in comfort, or you larger SUV is set to join us next can opt for the FR model with its year which will complete the SEAT exclusive 150PS engine for that SUV line-up and offer buyers a little bit more power. All engines choice of any combination of size have a turbocompressor, direct and technology they may need. injection and an automatic startstop system. The Arona is available in no less than six trims, from the starting SE You’ll certainly be pleased model, which includes Bluetooth, with the standard features DAB radio and front assist as across all Arona versions, with standard, all the way up to the a minimum of 17” inch alloy XCELLENCE LUX and FR which wheels, tiredness recognition, provide ultimate comfort or a multi-collision braking, hillrange of sporty design features hold control, cruise control, a respectively. Each model differs touchscreen DAB radio and LED slightly with both interior and running lights to name just a few exterior design, with a range of of the exciting features. seat materials and trim colours available. To test drive the new SEAT Arona, or for more information on this “We wanted to give the new vehicle, please contact Vindis SEAT Arona the distinct feel of Milton Keynes SEAT on 01908 a crossover, a sturdy car for 351199 or pop in to see us on everyday life, for the urban Northfield Drive.
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Vindis Ducati celebrate success in the MCN Awards 2017
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e’re over the moon to show off our very own MCN award for Best Single Franchise of the Year 2017, which was awarded recently to Ducati Peterborough and Cambridge.
Paul Andrew, Head of Business at Vindis Ducati commented, “We are massively honoured to win this award. As with any new business it has been an incredible journey and often challenging, but all of the hard work has been worth it and this award is testament to the hard work by every team member on both Ducati sites. The Vindis Group has a rich history in the four-wheeled world, but we have made sure that our Ducati staff were bikers and that hopefully shows up in their knowledge and passion for the brand. It may sound cheesy, but the Ducati owners club, customers and staff really are all one happy family under the Ducati brand.”
Since opening the doors to our Ducati stores in 2016 we have welcomed many of the local Ducatisti (that’s fans of the Italian brand) inside, helping to make many a two-wheeled dream come true. Having already collected the New Dealer Award 2016 for our Cambridge site we’re incredibly pleased that the hard work of our Ducati staff has been recognised once more, this time across Cambridgeshire, having fought off a range of other brands. MCN judges described both stores as ‘outstanding in their If you’d like to visit our award-winning stores for yourself, appearance’, particularly enjoying Peterborough’s Art-Deco our full contact details can be found on www.vindisducati. style showroom. com. Alternatively, you can give us a call on the numbers found at the back of this magazine.
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Revealed at this year’s Caravan Salon Düsseldorf the California XXL concept is the big brother of the current California campervan, but has been instead based on the new Volkswagen Crafter.
perfect option to relax at the end of a long day outdoors. Hot water from the boiler will allow you to enjoy the large rain shower head and a full-sized toilet and sink means there’s no need compromise on where you park your vehicle overnight. The clever sink folds away into an illuminated vanity mirror and an electrically controlled skylight floods the space with natural light and provides ventilation whilst in use.
The California XXL, as the name suggests, is much larger than the current camper and offers a true home from home no matter where you find yourself exploring. Powered by the Crafter’s 177PS diesel engine the XXL also has Volkswagen’s all-wheel-drive system for superb No modern campervan would be complete without being grip and handling. fully connected to your smartphone or tablet and the California XXL makes clever use of an exclusive app that Inside, every aspect of the camper has been helps you control your vehicle at the touch of a button. meticulously, innovatively designed to improve on space, Entertainment menus within the app help you choose a comfort and practicality. It holds two sleeping areas, one playlist or control films and the Light menu allows you large space with a full-sized, heated and cooled bed for full control over seven lighting including the two-floor adults, and a separate alcove which is ideal for children ambient lighting and integrated reading lights. Finally, and can store bunk beds or a cot. The adult sleeping the Functions menu offers control over features such area includes a projector in the overhead cabinet so as the skylight in the shower room. Dotted around the you’ll never be short of entertainment, and that’s when campervan you’ll find no less than six USB ports and you can tear yourself away from staring up at the stars nine 220V sockets so there’s room for charging all of the through the incredible 1.1 x 3.7 metre panoramic roof. family’s gadgets whilst on the road. Downstairs, the kitchen has everything you would need to make a delicious meal and includes a gas twin-hob, a double fridge with freezer, a sink and a moveable chopping board which can be stored in a specially designed slot. Ample storage is provided in the cabinets for all your dishes and utensils and don’t think the team haven’t thought of everything, there’s even a magnetic spice rack and a hidden espresso machine! Where usual campers would leave you short of a bathroom, the XXL has found space for that too. A pullout wet room (which niftily retracts when not in use) is the
At the rear you’ll find two extra chairs concealed in the tailgate and a huge storage area for everything your family needs. Should the weather not be in your favour, this storage area can be accessed from inside of the vehicle too. Here you’ll also find a hot water boiler, fresh water tank, waste water tank and the gas tank. Unfortunately, the California XXL is just a concept at the time of writing but we’ve all got our fingers crossed that this incredible vehicle becomes a reality, because we’re already dreaming of the road trips you could have in this!
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Checkmate.
The return of an icon. 30
S
ometimes it can be difficult to choose between your love of performance vehicles and your need for an everyday, large vehicle, but Audi’s latest reveal could make your decision a whole lot easier. Debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the new Audi RS4 Avant has prompted excitement and anticipation throughout our Audi centres and, at the time of writing, we’re waiting patiently for a confirmed release date from Audi, and an idea of when we can get our hands on a demonstrator vehicle. All we know at this stage is that we can guarantee it will be worth the wait, and we just need to work out how we’re going to prise it from the hands of our sales staff when it arrives!
and not appreciate the premium interior for which the brand is known. The high-resolution, 12.3” Audi Virtual Cockpit, with specific RS displays, is a visual pleasure and the honeycomb stitched, heated sports seats with pneumatic massage ensure even the longest of journeys just won’t be long enough. CEO of Audi Sport GmBH, Stephan Winkelmann said; “The Audi RS4 Avant is our RS icon with an incomparable history. In common with all our RS models, it blends immense power output with superlative everyday utility.”
Of course, what you really want to know is just what is beneath the bonnet of this estate. Well, you’ll discover a lightweight, 2.9 litre V6 engine offering 450PS and 600Nm of torque. That equates to a 0-62mph time of just 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Of course, in the true spirit of RS models, why limit yourself to this? The optional RS dynamic package boosts the top speed to 174mph.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you of this model’s sport credentials then one look at the exterior should just about do it. Taking inspiration from motorsport design, with its huge air inlets with Audi’s RS ‘honeycomb’ structure, and its wide single frame grille up front, the new RS4 is subtly menacing and beautiful from every angle. At the rear you’ll find the RS-specific diffuser insert, two large sporty exhaust pipes and an RS roof spoiler. 19” forged aluminium wheels complete the package and a space-saver spare wheel will keep you on the road if required.
Agility is in this car’s blood, and is complemented by quattro all-wheel-drive with sport differential for exceptional grip and handling. RS sport suspension and an enhanced braking system complete the package. The new Audi RS4 is sleeker, wider and a whole lot smarter and we defy you to sit in the cabin
If you’re interested in purchasing an icon of your own, then make sure you get in touch with one of our specialists at your local Vindis Audi centre. They can advise you further of when this new model is expected, and can register you to be one of the first contacted when this model is released.
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Vindis Group Volkswagen
Bedford Volkswagen 01234 327932 Cambridge Volkswagen 01223 424472 Cookes of Fakenham 01328 864951 Huntingdon Volkswagen 01480 461019
Commercial Vehicles
Vindis Van Centre St. Ives 01223 653333 Vindis Van Centre Northampton 01604 210600
ŠKODA
Vindis ŠKODA Bury St. Edmunds 01284 732160 Vindis ŠKODA Cambridge 01223 507507
Bentley
Bentley Cambridge 01223 423515
Audi
Bedford Audi 01234 320033 Cambridge Audi 01223 414181 Huntingdon Audi 01480 454545 Northampton Audi 01604 683555 Peterborough Audi 01733 384444
Ducati
Ducati Cambridge 01223 317959 Ducati Peterborough 01733 599959
Vindis Group Fleet 01480 416900
Cambridge TPS Centre Bishop’s Stortford TPS Centre 01223 219100
SEAT
Milton Keynes SEAT 01908 351199
©Vindis Group Driven Magazine. Issue 8, 2017 Vindis Group, 1 Washingley Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6WP