Ignition February 2013

Ignition Issue 9 Feb 2013

Car views and news by FleetNews

FIRST DRIVE: MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS

Revised E-Class raises the stakes GO Saloon primed to take on the sector’s best ●

The future of GO fleet vehicles ●

We preview the stars of the Geneva motor show

Vauxhall off to a GO flying start ●

Carmaker sees year-on-year fleet sales rise of 55%

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F IR S T DRI V E

RADICAL REVAMP BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO E-CLASS Improved executive saloon widens its fleet appeal

MERCEDES E-CLASS NEED TO KNOW

n E-Class comes with aggressive new look n New safety technology makes its debut n Improved perceived quality inside n Reduced CO2 emissions

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E250 CDI AMG SPORT AUTO

By Simon Harris he Mercedes-Benz E-Class, relatively speaking, was the best ever E-Class when it was launched in 2009. Unfortunately for MercedesBenz, the BMW 5 Series launched in 2010 was also the best ever 5 Series, and was followed a year later by the best ever Audi A6.

A year before the E-Class launched, Jaguar introduced the glitzy XF with its showboating interior and sleek styling – a marked contrast with the safe and sober Mercedes-Benz. The result was that the E-Class might have appealed to people who liked the previous version, but it had a tough job trying to win customers from other premium brands.

But a subtle transformation has been underway in the Mercedes-Benz range over the past few years. Two years ago the C-Class was revamped in the most thorough facelift carried out on any Mercedes-Benz to date, and the new A-Class has demonstrated the company is seeking new audiences.

And now the E-Class has undergone the most radical renewal under the guise of a facelift. While the car is essentially the same underneath, all bodywork is new apart from the roof, and on estate models the tailgate is also carried over.

The front has single light units each side, casting aside the twin headlamp look of the previous three generations, and UK customers will choose from only SE

FIRST DRIVE

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CARMAKER NEWS

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All bodywork bar the roof is new on E-Class

New E-Class offers improved interior quality and AMG Sport equipment grades, with Avantgarde trim level now sidelined.

It comes with a range of new technology, much of which will be seen in the next-generation S-Class to be unveiled later this year. Falling under the banner of 'intelligent drive', it includes systems that can help prevent collisions with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, and advanced lane keeping assist which can help prevent accidents with oncoming traffic and anti-glare permanent high-beam headlamps.

The mainstays of the range, the E220 CDI, E250 CDI and E350 CDI are still here, although there are some improvements to both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, suggesting lower running costs than with the previous versions.

We took a drive in the E350 CDI and the E250 CDI, both of which will sell well into the user-chooser market at senior manager level.

The 252bhp E350 CDI is as smooth as ever, and packs a punch with 457lb-ft of torque delivered almost seamlessly through the seven-speed automatic gearbox, but with a reduction in CO2 of around 15g/km, resulting in tax liability three bands lower. Improvements to the four-cylinder diesels are more modest, but it still means you can now choose a 170bhp E220 CDI with CO2 emissions of 125g/km, or the twin-turbo E250 CDI producing 128g/km.

The E250 CDI we tried felt reasonably rapid and smooth, but Mercedes-Benz still doesn’t seem to have eliminated the rough edges of the diesel engine note to the same extent as its rivals.

The E-Class might not be the great all-rounder that the BMW 5 Series is, but Mercedes-Benz has succeeded in broadening its appeal and should make it more attractive to fleet operators for the remainder of its life.

COSTS P11D price £38,910 BIK tax band 21% Annual BIK tax (40%) £3,268 Class 1A NIC £1,128 Annual VED £120 RV (4yr/80k) £12,125/31% Fuel cost (ppm) 11.86 Running cost (4yr/80k) 51.53ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 2,143 Bhp/torque (lb-ft) 204/368 CO2 (g/km) 136 Fuel economy (mpg) 57.7 Max speed (mph) 150 0-62mph (secs) 7.5

To compare running costs, click here

F UEL P RICE S

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6 EXETER Diesel 146.18 Unleaded 140.52 LPG 78.98**

2 BRIGHTON Diesel 145.25 Unleaded 137.64 LPG 76.9

7 HEREFORD Diesel 147.34** Unleaded 139.06 LPG 73.9

3 CAMBRIDGE Diesel 146.03 Unleaded 139.46** LPG 76.2

8 LEEDS Diesel 143.03 Unleaded 135.82* LPG N/A

4 DERBY Diesel 142.78* Unleaded 136.4 LPG 71.9*

9 LIVERPOOL Diesel 144.58 Unleaded 137.91 LPG 76.9

5 EDINBURGH Diesel 143.11 Unleaded 136.17 LPG 72.9

10 LONDON Diesel 144.55 Unleaded 138.53 LPG 72.58 11 MANCHESTER Diesel 144.27 Unleaded 137.22 LPG 72.4

8 11 4

1 7

1 BIRMINGHAM Diesel 144.26 Unleaded 136.93 LPG 74.9

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12 3 14 10 2

12 NORWICH Diesel 143.23 Unleaded 136.37 LPG 76.9 13 OXFORD Diesel 145.83 Unleaded 138.12 LPG N/A 14 WATFORD Diesel 143.68 Unleaded 136.6 LPG N/A

For full UK fuel price figures Click here * Cheapest ** Most expensive

T E S T ED T HIS MON T H

Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi Titanium

Maurice Glover Substantial reductions in sticker prices are backing up the Kuga's sleeker styling, added practicality and improved operating economy.

Despite a £355 price cut, the 2.0-litre Titanium gets a better spread of equipment, including foldflat reclining rear seats, an adjustable load floor, hill start assist and a speed-limiter cruise control.

Longer, lower and slightly narrower, the Focusbased Kuga has less rakish but more streamlined looks promoting a smoother, more upmarket appearance.

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Citroën DS3 Cabrio

Carlton Boyce The DS3 Cabrio builds on the success of the original hatchback, adding a healthy dose of fresh air into the (highly complex) equation.

Only petrol engines are available: the VTi 82, a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder producing 82bhp; the VTi 120 developing 120bhp; and the range-topping, turbocharged THP 155 that yields 156bhp.

The Cabrio drives just like the hatchback, which is to say well but for some crashing over larger potholes and some scrabbling for traction when accelerating hard out of tight corners.

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Volvo V40 Cross Country D2 SE Nav

Sarah Tooze Ride height has been increased by 40mm over the standard V40, roof rails and skid plates have been added and the front bumper is fitted with a larger honeycomb grille.

The seats are extremely comfortable – one of Volvo’s trademarks – but, unlike a mini-SUV, the seating position isn’t particularly raised.

Considering the extra body height there was no noticeable body roll into the corners and the Cross Country drives much like the standard V40.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 Di-D GX-5

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COMING SOON

Debbie Wood The new Outlander offers much reduced CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

The Outlander on test, the GX5 Auto, has an impressive combined fuel consumption figure of 48.7mpg and some solid performance figures, too, with a top speed of 125mph and a 0-62 time of 10.2 seconds.

It has lost some of the aggressive looks of its predecessor, but it’s a larger car and is a more capable seven-seater than before.

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Toyota Verso 2.0 D-4D Icon

Maurice Glover Toyota GB thinks its latest Verso multi purpose model has ‘significant’ potential with smaller fleets and is looking to Business Centre dealers to take a leading role in boosting its market share.

Costing £165 less than its predecessor, the sevenseat car blends higher economy with a 10g/km drop in emissions to 129g/km.

An easy main road cruiser, it uses a new turbocharger that helps it work with commendably low noise at all speeds.

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Citroën C5 Tourer 2.2 HDi Exec Auto

Simon Harris It’s a responsive and comfortable car to travel in with excellent refinement. Despite being marketed as a car that could pass as something German, inside it all feels rather French.

Like its top-of-the-range predecessors, the largest-engined C5 is available only in the Exclusive equipment grade.

The new 200bhp 2.2 HDi (with a six-speed automatic transmission as the only gearbox available) achieves 159g/km of CO2 and has fuel consumption of 46.3mpg on the combined cycle.

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GENE VA P RE V IE W

Geneva Preview Concepts Honda NSX The new Honda NSX concept suggests a potential direction for the next-generation NSX’s interior design.

The exterior stays true to the original concept styling, maintaining its low stance with dynamic and alluring proportions.

SsangYong SIV-1 The SIV-1 is a multi interface mid-premium CUV (crossover utility vehicle) concept that defines the brand’s new design philosophy.

Toyota FT-86 Open The Toyota FT-86 Open concept previews a possible future development of the GT86 sports coupé. The show car will help Toyota gauge public reaction to the idea, at the same time as it carries out engineering tests on a prototype.

Toyota i-Road The Toyota i-Road has been conceived as a compact, fun and emissions-free personal mobility concept, designed to offer quick and efficient urban transport for two people.

Kia urban car An early teaser picture of the concept has been revealed ahead of the event.

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Subaru VIZIV The VIZIV is a futuregeneration crossover concept designed to embody the Subaru brand’s values of ‘enjoyment and peace of mind’.

Honda Civic Wagon Honda will be taking the wraps off the Civic Wagon concept model which strongly hints at the design direction of the final production version. This new derivative will strengthen the Civic range and will be built at Swindon.

Production Models

Citroën C3 Although there are a few subtle cosmetic changes, perhaps the biggest news is the option of new three-cylinder petrol engines. The VTi 68 and VTi 82 PureTech engines achieve between 62.8mpg and 65.7mpg, and CO2 emissions between 99g/km and 104g/km. A VTi 120 engine is also available with a manual or automatic gearbox.

Volkswagen XL1 Volkswagen has confirmed its XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle with a fuel consumption of around 313mpg on the official combined cycle will go into production.

A small number will be destined for the UK. It is not yet known whether the car will be righthand drive.

Audi A3 E-Tron The A3 E-Tron will have a range of up to 31 miles on its plug-in charge and, according to the official test cycle for plug in vehicles, will achieve 188mpg and 35g/km. It uses a 1.4-litre petrol engine in combination with an electric motor, with a combined power output of 204bhp.

GENE VA P RE V IE W

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Audi RS Q3 The RS Q3 is the fourth RS model Audi is launching in 2013.

At the heart of this RS is a 2.5-litre TFSI engine, linked to a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. UK ordering will begin in the summer with first deliveries in late 2013.

Bentley Flying Spur Powering the new Flying Spur is Bentley’s 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine, coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission. Developing 616bhp and 590lb-ft of torque, the Flying Spur features more power than any other Bentley four-door delivering top-speed of 200 mph.

Qoros 3 Sedan The Qoros 3 Sedan is due to be launched in China in the second half of 2013, with first European sales later in the year. Further Qoros models are planned at intervals of around six months.

Suzuki Crossover The C-segment crossover model is based on the concept car S-Cross initially introduced at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012.

Infiniti Q50 Marking the start of a new generation of Infiniti Q models, the Q50 for Europe includes the first fruit of the agreement with alliance partner Daimler AG. Details of the Q50's MercedesBenz-sourced engines will be announced at Geneva.

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Peugeot 2008 The 2008 blends the design of the 3008 but on a smaller scale, being based on the 208 supermini which was introduced last year.

Order books for the 2008 open at UK retailers in June.

The car will square up against the Nissan Juke (see panel, right) and new Renault Captur.

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Lexus IS 300h hybrid When it goes on sale in Europe later this year, the IS 300h will be available with CO2 emissions from 99g/km for the entry-level SE model.

Kia Proceed GT A new turbocharged 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine will produce 201bhp, powering the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and allowing the Proceed GT to accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds. It is expected to go sale in the UK from the middle of the year.

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2013 World Car of the Year The finalists n Audi A3 n Land Rover Range Rover n Mazda6 n Mazda CX-5 n Mercedes-Benz A-Class n Peugeot 208 n Porsche Boxster/Cayman n Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT 86/ Toyota 86 n Volkswagen Golf n Volvo V40 The top three finalists will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 5. With the winner announced on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

All the latest show news at fleetnews.co.uk Our dedicated online section is designed to help you keep up-to-date with all the latest news, unveilings and concepts from the event.

Make sure you keep coming back for all the pre-event news and as the event un-folds from Tuesday next week.

We will also be live streaming the press conferences from the event itself on March 5. n For coverage, click here Nissan Note Two 1.2-litre petrol engines and one 1.5-litre diesel engine will be available in the new Note.

The 98bhp 1.2-litre DIG-S has CO2 emissions of 99g/km with a manual gearbox. Production of the new Note will start in the summer, with first deliveries scheduled for autumn 2013. www.am-online.com Xpxpxpxpxpxpx 2009 AM ??

F L EE T S A L E S F IGURE S

Caution urged over sales rise Growth in incentives believed partly responsible for 6% fleet sales boost

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By Jay Nagley he overall market showed a growth rate of 6.0%, which is encouraging – or it would be if there was not the widespread suspicion that it reflects a growth in incentives as much as an increase in demand.

Given the overall stagnation of the economy, one of the few factors that would drive genuine growth is the pent-up demand from companies that put off replacing their fleet last year. There is some evidence that this is happening, but it does not account for the whole rise in fleet registrations.

At a manufacturer level, the January figures have to be treated cautiously, as there are no year-to-date figures to put them into context. The raw numbers suggest that Vauxhall is staging a brilliant recovery, while Ford and Volkswagen are struggling. The truth is that Vauxhall slammed on the brakes in January 2012, so the current figure is much closer to its longterm average, while Ford (with the facelifted Fiesta) and Volkwagen (with the new Golf) are still building up supply of their most important cars.

It is worth noting that Nissan was up to fifth place in January. It seems unlikely it can hold on to that position for the whole year, but it is still a remarkable achievement: the only mainstream brand to have

Ford dropped below Vauxhall as it builds up stock of its facelifted Fiesta

Jaguar Land Rover had its best month ever significantly increased its share over the last 10 years.

Jaguar Land Rover had its best month ever. If figures from the two companies were combined, JLR would be number 11 in fleet, ahead of Citroën and Kia. The Evoque is mostly responsible for the growth, but the latest 2.2 diesel XF is helping (or it will until it falls foul of the new capital write-down allowance limit, brilliantly set by the Government just above the CO2 of most German executive cars and just below the level of the XF).

The converse of JLR is Fiat. The Fiat brand itself is steady in 18th place, and if its sub-brands are added (Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Chrysler), it is in... 18th place.

Just below Fiat is Renault in 19th place. The interesting thing about Renault is that it announced a surprise operating profit for 2012. That suggests there is a method in Renault’s madness: that cutting discounts has preserved profit margins.

However, an investment analyst at Credit Suisse, David Arnold, has claimed that it has done so by forcing high inventories of cars on to dealers. He was quoted by just-auto.com as saying, "This is [an] unsustainable position. I genuinely think it is massaging the working capital position.” It will be interesting to see if big discounts on Renaults reappear later this year to shift the inventory.

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Manufacturer

Jan 2013

Vauxhall Ford Volkswagen Audi Nissan Peugeot BMW Mercedes-Benz Toyota Hyundai Citroën Kia Land Rover Skoda Volvo Honda Seat Fiat Renault Mini Mazda Jaguar Suzuki Lexus Chevrolet Alfa Romeo Smart Chrysler Porsche Jeep Mitsubishi Subaru Bentley MG Other Total

11,585 7,455 55.40% 9,473 11,565 -18.09% 6,501 7,258 -10.43% 6,029 5,194 16.08% 5,484 3,439 59.46% 4,795 4,405 8.85% 3,715 3,790 -1.98% 3,598 3,692 -2.55% 2,867 2,822 1.59% 2,822 2,081 35.61% 2,229 1,858 19.97% 2,094 2,503 -16.34% 1,857 991 87.39% 1,650 1,757 -6.09% 1,644 1,683 -2.32% 1,617 1,497 8.02% 1,389 1,534 -9.45% 987 1,067 -7.50% 923 1,385 -33.36% 803 644 24.69% 801 349 129.51% 669 451 48.34% 423 458 -7.64% 321 445 -27.87% 290 1,599 -81.86% 166 334 -50.30% 79 152 -48.03% 77 35 120.00% 54 45 20.00% 35 38 -7.89% 32 67 -52.24% 32 96 -66.67% 29 39 -25.64% 7 103 -93.20% 79 90 -12.22% 75,156 70,921 5.97%

SALES FIGURES

Jan 2012 % change

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CARMAKER NEWS

COMING SOON

Volkswagen is building up supply of its new Golf

Land Rover registrations – including Range Rover Evoque – rose by 87%

Renault's range, including the Megane, saw sales fall 33%

The successful Qashqai helped Nissan to a 59% increase in sales

OUR F L EE T

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA

2.0 ECOFLEX TECH LINE

A disconcerting but confidence-inspiring ride

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By John Maslen olume manufacturers are fighting to protect market share from so-called ‘new generation’ rivals, so as I have just swapped into the Vauxhall Insignia from a Kia Optima, it offers a good opportunity for direct comparison.

The Kia wins hands down in terms of looks compared to the conservatively-styled Insignia, but when you sit inside, it is clear that is where Vauxhall has the edge. The Kia’s interior is practical but functional, and some of the plastics don’t stand up to scrutiny.

The German-built Insignia seems to have benefited from greater investment, sporting a sloping central console, topped by a colour screen and surrounded by a swooping arc of material that runs under the windscreen and joins the door panel inserts.

On the road, the firmer ride in the Vauxhall was disconcerting at first, as a smooth road in the Kia became a much more bumpy experience in the Insignia. The benefit is the Insignia’s much more capable cornering, which is flat and confidence-inspiring even when pushing hard.

You eventually get used to the increased feedback, especially as it is refined enough to handle even the worst of the increasing number of potholes I encounter on our disintegrating roads with a ‘thud’ rather than a ‘crash’.

Although I felt the Optima provided quiet cruising, I have to admit the Vauxhall is like a church inside at motorway speeds, making long treks a very relaxing experience, particularly when you factor in the presence of digital radio, which is still surprisingly rare in modern cars.

Church-like inside when motorway cruising

NEED TO KNOW n Interior design impresses n Digital radio helps make long treks a relaxing experience

COSTS P11D price £21,100 BIK tax band 16% Annual BIK tax (20%) £675 Class 1A NIC £466 Annual VED £0 then £30 RV (4yr/80k) £4,650/22% Fuel cost (ppm) 9.78 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 33.96ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,956 Power (bhp) 160 Torque lb-ft 258 CO2 (g/km) 114 (homologated figure) Fuel efficiency (mpg) 65.7 Max speed (mph) 134 0-62mph (sec) 9.3 Test mpg 52 Current mileage 5,474 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Insignia tests

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KIA OPTIMA

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COMING SOON

1.7 CDRI 2 TECH

Cold spell proves a challenge for stop-start system The Optima is averaging almost 54mpg

NEED TO KNOW

n Running costs make Optima a good choice n First few niggles appear with build quality

COSTS

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By Stephen Briers et’s make one thing clear from the outset: I like Kia. It’s an up-and-coming brand that’s not afraid to do things a little differently with well-designed cars.

I also like the Optima. It’s a spacious, great looking family car, and comes well equipped in 2 Tech trim. Yours for £21,640.

And with running costs of just 36.08ppm (compared to 36.54ppm for a comparable Ford Mondeo, the sector’s benchmark car) and BIK at £822 a year (Mondeo: £826), it’s a good choice for fleets and user choosers.

However, after 10 months and 17,000 miles our long-term Optima is developing a few niggles. It didn’t make the best first impression when taking the keys from another tester: the key wobbles about in the fob and screams ‘cheap’ rather than quality. A similar quality control concern arose with the handbrake, which also has developed excessive sideways travel. Elsewhere though, everything is in good working order.

The sat-nav is intuitive to use. But I’ve yet to find a way to permanently switch off the voice instructions.

Fuel efficiency is good: averaging a little under 54mpg, close to the official 57.6mpg combined figure, without too much effort. And that was during the recent cold snap during which the stop-start system was reluctant to work, possibly because it runs off the main battery, so, with the heating blaring, there is little spare power to operate everything without the engine running.

P11D price £21,695 BIK tax band 19% Annual BIK tax (20%) £822 Class 1A NIC £567 Annual VED £0 then £100 RV (4yr/80k) £5,225 Fuel cost (ppm) 11.15ppm AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 36.08ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,685 Power (bhp) 134 Torque lb-ft 239 CO2 (g/km) 128 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 57.6 Max speed (mph) 125 0-62mph (sec) 10.2 Test mpg 54.0 Current mileage 17,105 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Optima tests

OUR F L EE T

RENAULT MEGANE

SPORT TOURER 1.5DCI DYNAMIQUE

Exemplary performer makes a good case for an estate car NEED TO KNOW

n Largest load capacity in its class n Generous equipment level

COSTS P11D price £20,890 BIK tax band 13% Annual BIK tax (20%) £543 Class 1A NIC £375 Annual VED £0 RV (4yr/80k) £4,125/20% Fuel cost (ppm) 7.98 AFR (ppm) 12 Running cost (4yr/80k) 32.6ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,461 Power (bhp) 110 Torque lb-ft 177 CO2 (g/km) 90 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 80.7 Max speed (mph) 118 0-62mph (sec) 12.4 Test mpg 60 Current mileage 8,500 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Megane tests

The Sport Tourer has a sector-leading 1,600-litre cargo space

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By Maurice Glover ot so long ago, the estate car was widely regarded as the perfect solution to most of the transport needs of business and family motorists. But buying habits are changing with an increasing number of drivers turning to the crossover to meet their requirements.

That’s a shame. Effective as it is when it comes to tackling the odd spell of snow and ice, all-round traction inevitably adds to manufacturing costs. And it also costs more to operate.

So, given that most crossovers rarely stray far from smooth road surfaces, the traditional estate model can still make a strong case for itself.

Our long-term Megane Sport Tourer is already proving to be exemplary in this respect. For a start, it has lots of room for passengers and a 1,600-litre cargo volume – the biggest in the sector – provides loads of space for business users.

Sensible features like split-folding rear seats and a fold-flat front passenger seat mean the cargo layout is practical, as I’ve found when using the car to ferry our old kitchen furniture, sink and all, to the rubbish tip. Equipment is also generous, with daytime running lights, push button start, a speed-limiter cruise control and auto headlamps and wipers all included as standard. Unfortunately, rear parking sensors linked with a camera is a £350 option on our TomTom version.

This hold-all car is also a model of operating efficiency, with latest engine developments proving it to be capable of squeezing as much as 60 miles from a gallon, an excellent return from a vehicle of this size.

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MERCEDES C-CLASS

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COMING SOON

C220 CDI EXECUTIVE SE

Cold weather tyres prove a bonus when the snow arrives

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By Sarah Tooze ear-wheel drive cars have a reputation for being poor in the snow. So when the C-Class’s arrival on our fleet coincided with the first heavy snowfall of the year I was a little apprehensive.

That was until a colleague informed me that the C-Class was actually the best-equipped of our current crop of test cars to cope with the conditions. That’s because it has been specified with cold weather tyres. A braking test in the snow-covered office car park convinced me of their benefits.

It’s worth pointing out that cold weather tyres are not just effective in the snow – they are said to be better than standard tyres in cold, wet conditions below 7ºC. With temperatures rarely in double figures in recent weeks the tyres have been ideal but it will be interesting to see how they wear when the weather warms up.

My first impressions of the C-Class are good. It’s the Executive SE model which, in manual form like ours, offers CO2 emissions of 109g/km – equal to the highly acclaimed BMW 320d EfficientDynamics. It also looks stylish.

My only grumble about the interior so far is a level of noise intrusion – wind and noise from the four-cylinder diesel engine – that is a little higher than other premium car rivals.

Fuel economy is good – easily exceeding 60mpg on longer journeys with the ECO option selected. However, the overall mpg is just below 50.

The C-Class is proving to be frugal and safe cold weather transport.

NEED TO KNOW n CO2 emissions of 109g/km n Intrusive wind and road noise compared to rivals

COSTS P11D price £28,605 BIK tax band 15% Annual BIK tax (40%) £1,167 Class 1A NIC £1,716 Annual VED £0 then £20 RV (4yr/80k) £8,175/29% Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35 AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.46ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 2,143 Power (bhp) 170 Torque lb-ft 295 CO2 (g/km) 109 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 68.9 Max speed (mph) 144 0-62mph (sec) 8.4 Test mpg 49.6 Current mileage 3,257 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Overall fuel economy is just below 50mpg

OUR F L EE T

SEAT EXEO ST

2.0 TDI SPORT TECH MULTITRONIC

A new baby is highlighting stylish estate's limitations as a family car

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By Luke Neal state cars are family cars, right? So the onus should be on interior space, storage and overall practicality.

However, as much as I like the Exeo, problems have recently started to appear in all of these areas.

The silver (very light grey) alcantara seats that were once modern and upmarket are now being put to the test. Despite constant reminders to my daughter not to spill anything on them and to keep her feet off the seats, it’s me who has managed to stain the driver's seat with melted chocolate. It is also becoming more obvious that my cheap Primark jeans are slowly starting to discolour the drivers seat base, leaving it slightly more grubby looking than it used to be.

I had also forgotten how much room a new-born baby's car seat takes up.

With my son fully installed in the back of the Exeo, his seat almost touches the back of the front passenger seat, leaving only just enough legroom in the front to be comfortable. My daughter on her booster seat hasn’t got enough room behind the driver's seat to properly fit her feet.

The boot, however, is the perfect size and height and with its low, level floor, is perfect for wheeling the pram straight in, but there is a lack of storage compartments for everything else that goes along with a family of four.

All of a sudden the Exeo is starting to feel a bit small.

The light-coloured alcantara seats are showing signs of wear

NEED TO KNOW n Limited legroom in the back n Boot is perfect size and low, level floor makes it easy to load

COSTS P11D price £26,260 BIK tax band 23% Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,208 Class 1A NIC £833 Annual VED £135 RV (4yr/80k) £5,558 Fuel cost (ppm) 12.5 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 42.51ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,968 Power (bhp) 143 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 146 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 51.4 Max speed (mph) 125 0-62mph (sec) 9.6 Test mpg 42.1 Current mileage 10,056 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Exeo tests

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FORD GRAND C-MAX

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2.0 TDCI TITANIUM POWERSHIFT

Technological tour de force continues to impress through the winter

I

By Andrew Ryan 've always been a fan of the heated front windscreens fitted to many Ford models, but our Grand C-Max has got an extra trick up its sleeve which ramps this affection up to a new level.

Previously on frosty mornings, I used to get a smug satisfaction from being able to turn the heated front windscreen on and let any ice thaw while my neighbours struggled to de-ice their cars with a scraper.

But our Grand C-Max has raised the game. It is fitted with voice recognition technology which, on hearing the word "demist", turns on both the heated front and rear windscreens as well as the air-conditioning at full heat and power directed at the windscreen to clear any ice and mist.

It may only save a few seconds of fiddling around with buttons and dials, but has made winter motoring much less of a chore.

The voice recognition technology can also be used to control a number of tasks such as retuning the radio, operating a phone which has been linked to the car via Bluetooth, and controlling the air conditioning.

Other technology our Grand C-Max is fitted with includes the useful blind spot indicators which I talked about in an earlier report (click here), but the real show-stopper is undoubtedly active park assist.

Simply select the option and drive along a row of cars, and it will tell you when a big enough space is available. From then on, it will automatically guide you into a space – the only input needed from the driver is to operate the accelerator, brake and gears. It's a strange feeling to see the steering wheel whirling around in front of you, but works brilliantly.

NEED TO KNOW n Voice recognition technology proves useful n Active park assist is a real show-stopper

COSTS P11D price £24,320 BIK tax band 24% Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,167 Class 1A NIC £805 Annual VED £170 RV (4yr/80k) £5,675/23% Fuel cost (ppm) 13.22 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 40.54ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,997 Power (bhp) 138 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 154 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 48.7 Max speed (mph) 123 0-62mph (sec) 10.5 Test mpg 46.2 Current mileage 12.402 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Grand C-Max is a technological tour de force

Click here for previous Grand C-Max tests

OUR F L EE T

2.0 TDI SE

AUDI A3

Evolution not revolution as A3 builds on the success of predecessor

T

By Gareth Roberts he all-new Audi A3’s design reflects the German manufacturer’s mantra of ‘evolution not revolution’. It has subtly redefined the look of its successful predecessor, while improving fit and finish, and on-board technology.

It’s resulted in a car which confirms its premium lower-medium status and is sure to appeal to the fleet market.

Audi has redesigned the A3 from the ground up and its ultra-lightweight construction has produced a car 80kg lighter than its predecessor.

Our test version – the 2.0 TDI (150PS) SE – boasts an impressive 106g/km of CO2, while the less powerful (105PS) 1.6 TDI achieves 99g/km.

The 1.6 diesel variant has a claimed combined of 74.3mpg, while our 2.0-litre version quotes a combined figure of 68.9mpg.

But, having covered several hundred miles around town and on the motorway, we’re currently only achieving 48.4mpg – almost a 30% shortfall.

That should hopefully improve with a greater focus on driving style in the coming weeks.

Inside, the A3 feels roomy and uncluttered, while boot space has increased from 350 litres to 365 litres.

The ride is firm – it’s an Audi – but not uncomfortable and the power from the 2.0-litre TDI engine paired with the six-speed manual gearbox delivers enough torque to keep you interested.

It all combines to provide a very compelling proposition for fleets and for company car drivers eager to possess the premium badge.

New A3 confirms its lower-medium status

NEED TO KNOW n 1.6-litre diesel achieves 99g/km n Ultra lightweight construction n Choice of three specification options

COSTS P11D price £21,450 BIK tax band 15% Annual BIK tax (20%) £644 Class 1A NIC £444 Annual VED £0 then £20 RV (4yr/80k) £7,375 / 34% Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 31.01ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,968 Power (bhp) 147 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 106 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 68 Max speed (mph) 134 0-62mph (sec) 8.3 Test mpg 48.4 Current mileage 5,122 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

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3 1.8 DIESEL 4WD

MITSUBISHI ASX

Revised SUV offers cleaner engine and improved interior materials NEED TO KNOW

n Easier-to-use entertainment system n ASX remains good value

COSTS

Subtle redesign tones down ASX's aggressive stance

A

By Debbie Wood fter three months with the original ASX, I was looking forward to swapping it for the revised model, which offers a cleaner diesel engine and interior material upgrades.

The front end has also had a subtle redesign which has toned down the previous ASX’s quite aggressive stance.

Simplicity seems to be a key theme for the Mitsubishi designers. The new entertainment system has been upgraded and is easier to navigate, albeit still quite slow to load up when you start the car.

The 4WD selection rotary knob has been replaced with a single button function and the various controls around the car are well designed and clear to understand.

My only criticism is that the interior may now be a little too plain. The dashboard looks too shiny and is a little cheap to touch. The new entertainment system constantly changes background colours, like a fibre optic Christmas tree, which is confusing and seems out of place considering the plain and understated simplicity of the rest of the car.

Our long-termer remains good value for money and comes with a long list of equipment from sat-nav and heated seats to Bluetooth and leather upholstery. However, unlike our previous ASX, it doesn't have a reversing camera, which I do miss.

P11D price £22,749 BIK tax band 21% Annual BIK tax (20%) £955 Class 1A NIC £659 Annual VED £120 RV (4yr/80k) £5,900/26% Fuel cost (ppm) 11.86ppm AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 37.29ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,798 Power (bhp) 114 Torque lb-ft 212 CO2 (g/km) 138 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 54.3 Max speed (mph) 115 0-62mph (sec) 10.6 Test mpg 47.0 Current mileage 1,112 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous ASX tests

C A RM A K ER NE W S

Audi launches online service booking system

Vauxhall targets top spot in true fleet sector

Audi dealerships across the UK are now offering service at the click of a button.

Supported by Manheim Aftersales Solutions, Audi’s real-time, online service booking system is integrated into the owners’ area of the brand’s UK website.

The facility offers dealers the ability to maximise their workshop resources and efficiency.

In addition, Audi customers are able to take advantage of the convenience of real-time bookings and instant confirmation of appointments.

Vauxhall has outlined plans to become the biggestselling manufacturer in the true fleet sector within three years, overhauling Ford and Volkswagen.

Last year its true fleet sales dropped year-on-year, although in the final quarter the company says a number of corporate deals came through which saw it temporarily take the lead.

James Taylor, Vauxhall fleet sales director, told Fleet News: “We want to be number one for the calendar year. That’s our vision, within three years when some of our core product is replaced.”

Vauxhall has been working hard to improve its wholelife costs, reducing tyre widths and speed ratings on the Astra and Insignia and lowering brake costs on the Insignia. It will announce further actions this year to increase its appeal to fleets.

Over three years/60,000 miles, Taylor says Insignia costs have been reduced by more than £300.

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Volvo and Geely to establish joint R&D centre in Sweden 2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2013 World Car Awards winners’ press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and Bridgestone Corporation on Thursday, March 28. The 2013 World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year will all be declared.

The top three finalists in all award categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, March 5.

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Geely Holding, majority owner of Volvo Car Corporation, and Geely, will establish a research and development centre in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The centre will develop a new modular architecture and set of components for future C-segment cars, addressing the needs of both Volvo and Geely. The centre will be run by Mats Fägerhag, vice-president at product strategy within Volvo, and leverage on the Volvo technology leadership within Geely Holding. The new centre will employ about 200 full-time employees. The group has ambitious goals to increase its brands' competitiveness said chairman Li Shufu. "Geely will continue to improve its product quality,” he added.

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SMMT revises full-year forecast upwards

Lexus reveals pricing and specifications for new IS range

The new car market was up 11.5% to 143,643 units in January compared to the previous year, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

New car registrations in the fleet and business sectors were up more than 8% to 82,568 units from 76,160 units at the start of last year.

Fleet and business registrations accounted for 57% of the overall market, compared to 59% in January 2012.

Lexus has revealed the pricing and specification details of its all-new IS range, which will be launched in the UK this summer.

The line-up, unveiled at the North American International Motor Show in Detroit includes the first full-hybrid IS, the IS 300h, together with the 2.5-litre petrol-powered IS 250.

Both versions feature rear-wheel drive and will be available with a further evolution of Lexus’s F Sport package.

Lexus dealers are open for orders, with customer deliveries from mid-July, but the first chance fleets will have to try the car in the UK is at Company Car in Action in June.

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MG Lease opens for business

Emissions cut from new Volvo autos

MG has teamed up with ALD Automotive to offer business users an MG6 GT DTi-TECH diesel from £210 a month plus VAT for the S-level trim and up to £240 a month for the top-of-the-range Magnette.

S model entry specification includes 17-inch sports alloy wheels, sports seats, power folding mirrors, dual climate control and an electronic hill hold function.

SE models add standard built-in satellite navigation with Trafficmaster, reversing sensors and multifunction steering wheel controls.

CO2 and fuel efficiency gains with no price changes on new automatic Volvos are set to deliver significant savings to company car drivers.

Effective immediately, new S80, V70, S60 and V60 D3 and D4 Geartronic versions will emit under 130g/km CO2 – a four percentage point improvement on current BIK banding. This equates to £21 per month for a 20% taxpayer based on 2012/13 tax bandings, driving a Volvo V60 D4 SE LUX Geartronic.

Employers also save on class 1A NIC contributions which are also determined by CO2 emissions.

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C OMING S OON

COMING SOON...

MINI PACEMAN On sale: March

A sporty new exterior design and lowered suspension for a dynamic ride are promised with the all-new Mini Paceman, set for UK launch in March 2013.

Styled as a coupé interpretation of the Countryman, four versions will be available when it arrives in showrooms next spring, including the Mini Cooper S Paceman which will have a 0-62mph of 7.5 seconds. The seventh unique member of the family, it will sell alongside the Hatch, Clubman, Convertible, Countryman, Coupé and Roadster.

AUDI A3 SPORTBACK On sale: March

Carrying a premium of £620 over its three-door equivalent, the first phase of A3 Sportback models is now open for ordering, priced from £19,825 OTR. The first cars will reach UK customers in March.

Equipment levels mirror the three-door A3 across the three SE, Sport and S line specification levels, but the more family-oriented Sportback also adds rear electric windows and rear door child locks.

Audi will initially offer the new A3 Sportback with a choice of one TDI and two TFSI engines. Two diesel engines and one petrol unit will follow later.

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The new models you need to know about for the next 3 months

CHEVROLET TRAX On sale: May

The Trax sits below the Captiva in Chevrolet’s SUV hierarchy and shares all but some styling and its badges with the Vauxhall Mokka. This means a three engine line-up starting with a 1.6-litre petrol with five-speed manual ’box capable of 43.5mpg and 153g/km CO2 emissions with help from standard start/stop technology. There's also a 1.4 Turbo model and a 1.7-litre turbodiesel which in manual transmission, front-drive form and this is expected to be the best seller. The diesel is also available with a six-speed auto or all-wheel drive with a manual ’box.

SKODA OCTAV I A On sale: March

The new Octavia may be 90mm longer, 45mm wider and have a wheelbase that stretches a further 108mm than the outgoing model, but it’s 90kg lighter. This helps with economy and emissions, with the Octavia 1.6 TDI Greenline set to offer 89g/km emissions. There will also be 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and a 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The Octavia vRS is set to use a 2.0-litre turbo petrol with around 220bhp.

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