Ignition March 2013

Ignition Issue 10 March 2013

Car views and news by FleetNews

FIRST UK DRIVE: VOLVO V60 PLUG-IN

155mpg, 48g/km: is this the future?

GO We drive the world’s first plug-in diesel hybrid ●

Fleet sales market GO share shrinks ● Registrations fall as private buyers are targeted by offers

All the latest GO cars tested ●

Reports include Toyota Rav4, Smart Fortwo EV, Kia Proceed

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F IR S T DRI V E

FIRST PLUG-IN DIESEL HYBRID LAUNCHED V60 D6 offers 155.2mpg combined fuel economy and 48g/km of CO2

VOLVO V60 D6 NEED TO KNOW

n World’s first production diesel plug-in hybrid n 31 miles of plug-in range n Up to 280bhp from diesel engine and electric motor n 2013 UK allocation already sold out

I

PLUG-IN HYBRID

By Simon Harris f you have had experience of a plug-in hybrid car yet, then you’ve been very lucky. Plug-in hybrids are meant to bridge the gap between an electric vehicle and filling up with fuel.

The next major plug-in hybrid launch is the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid. It’s the world’s first plug-in diesel hybrid production car, and uses Volvo’s 215bhp 2.4-litre D5 diesel engine. The car is actually badged D6 to signify the increase in performance when the electric motor is used in conjunction with the engine.

A plug-in charge (taking around four-and-a-half hours from empty at a standard domestic plug) will give the V60 up to 31 miles of pure electric range. Selecting pure mode will keep the battery power locked in, driving only the rear wheels.

It will give the V60 enough acceleration to keep up with urban traffic, and is capable of a maximum speed of 78mph. Selecting hybrid mode will allow a combination of the diesel engine and electric motor to drive the V60 – as long as there is charge in the battery. Power mode delivers maximum power from the electric motor and gives the car stronger acceleration than the petrol-powered V60 T6.

A dashboard button can save battery power for future use. Even if the plug-in charge is depleted, the battery will be charged by the engine when driving and store up to 12 miles of range for later.

CO2 emissions of 48g/km mean the car will qualify for the ultra-low emission

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

SALES FIGURES

FUEL PRICES

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

The V60 has a long list of standard equipment

Only 1,000 limited editions are being made vehicle rate of 5%. In theory it equates to 155.2mpg on the combined cycle, but that’s an unrealistic figure. Drivers using the electric motor for the vast majority of the time might exceed that figure, but prolonged use of the engine would see something more like (but perhaps slightly better than) a conventional car.

The version of the V60 we drove has the original appearance, although Volvo’s entire 60 range was shown as facelifted versions in last month’s Geneva Motor Show. A new-look V60 plug-in hybrid will appear in June.

It is calling this version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid a limited edition, with only 1,000 built. All have been pre-allocated and sold with 150 earmarked for the UK. A downloadable smartphone app gives drivers access to a wealth of information and allows them to set climate control while the car is plugged into the mains to avoid draining the battery.

D6's on-the-road price is a fairly steep £48,775, although it qualifies for the £5,000 plug-in car grant. Fleets that make use of the electric motor should see a saving, and drivers will benefit from low BIK tax payments. Employers will also see a modest NI payment for provision of the hybrid as a company car.

Volvo has worked hard to ensure the transition between electric and diesel is smooth, as well as harmonising both power units in conjunction with each other.

The only major criticism is a harsh ride, particularly over low-speed bumps, even on 17-inch wheels, which are small by high-performance car standards. The V60 – among a long list of standard equipment – comes with sports suspension, but in the case of the hybrid it would seem an unnecessary addition.

The battery pack also means you sacrifice a little boot space, while the fuel tank size has also been reduced to 45 litres, leaving it with a realistic range of 500 miles.

COSTS P11D price £48,720 BIK tax band 5% Annual BIK tax (40%) £974 Class 1A NIC £336 Annual VED £0 RV (4yr/40k) £12,675/26% Fuel cost (ppm) 4.1 Running cost (4yr/40k) 103.65ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 2,400 Bhp/torque (lb-ft) 285/472 CO2 (g/km) 48 Fuel economy (mpg) 155.8 Max speed (mph) 143 0-62mph (secs) 6.1

To compare running costs, click here

T E S T ED T HIS MON T H

Toyota Rav4 2.0-litre D-4D FWD

Stephen Briers The 2.0-litre diesel front-wheel drive model emits just 127g/km (helped by the removal of the spare tyre) bringing it below the important 130g/km threshold for lease rental restrictions when the rules change in April.

It handles well, with little body roll even under ‘enthusiastic’ driving and both the 2.0 and 2.2-litre diesel engines offer plenty of low-range torque.

Drivers considering an SUV should give the Rav4 a chance. Fleets, too, should be comfortable adding this car to their choice lists.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Smart Fortwo Electric Drive Coupé

Debbie Wood Despite tipping the scales at 130kg heavier than the diesel Smart Fortwo, the Electric Drive is still nimble and light despite the extra weight of the battery pack.

Parking is easy in the Fortwo and boot space, albeit quite limited, is not far away from other small cars in the market, with 220 litres available.

The interior has a quirky but refined design, the quality of materials is good and the controls are simple to use. The only major negative is the unadjustable steering wheel.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 CDI Sport

Maurice Glover Up-and-coming business executives will be targeted when the German firm’s sleek new CLA model goes into the showrooms in summer.

With almost all the second-glance appeal of the £50,000 CLS, a starting price of half that amount gives the CLA range considerable potential with prestige-conscious drivers.

The car that could inspire a fresh sales segment will have petrol and diesel engines with a choice of outputs but initially, only 1.6-litre petrol and 2.1-litre diesel power is available.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

SALES FIGURES

Mazda6 2.2D 175 Sport

FUEL PRICES

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

Simon Harris For the first time in the Mazda6, the fuel-saving features have been combined with a new energy regeneration technology called i-Eloop.

While Mazda freely admits it can’t compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz on brand image, it feels it’s in with a good shout on running costs even when looking at cars at the top end of the range.

Most of these will spend the majority of their time on the motorway and the new Mazda6 is equally adept at that discipline of fleet life.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Kia Proceed 1.6 CRDi

Maurice Glover Robust performance comes from a revamped engine that is more subdued at all speeds and particularly relaxed at cruising speed.

Black upholstery and headlining are backed by piano black fascia and door trims. Leather is used on the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake.

Kia believes a combination of sleek styling and comprehensive equipment will prevent the price hike from putting a brake on sales of the latest Proceed, the three-door version of the popular Ceed hatchback.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Fiat 500L 1.6 M-Jet Lounge

Simon Harris The 500L is being marketed as a larger version of the 500. It is, of course, no such thing. It is longer than the Punto and uses a new small car platform.

The 500L does have a more upmarket feel than a typical small car, helped by the option of colour co-ordinated interior and low noise intrusion.

Like the small 500 there’s a wide range of customization and options, and the 500L is the first car to offer an on-board Lavazza coffee maker as a factory option. A gimmick? Maybe.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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

Fleet market share shrinks

Companies show caution as manufacturers tempt retail buyers with offers

C

By Jay Nagley, Redspy Automotive urrently, the most striking aspect of the fleet market is the decline in its share of the total market. In full year 2012 it fell 2.4 percentage points compared to 2011 (50.1% compared to 52.5%). Then in January 2013 it fell by 2.5 percentage points (52.3% compared to 54.8%), and in February it fell by a remarkable 6.4 points (53.6% compared to 60.0%).

The main reason seems to be a growth in the retail sector led by heavy incentives. Private buyers can be persuaded by incentives to buy a new car. As car companies, especially mainland European ones, are desperate to sell cars in the UK in the face of the southern European collapse, they are prepared to increase discounts to increase sales.

On the other hand, companies tend to work to replacement cycles, so there is less of an opportunity to give the fleet market a sudden boost.

The main driver of the fleet market is corporate profitability and optimism about the future. Corporate profitability is not generally that bad, but optimism is in short supply. Faced with talk of a triple-dip recession, not many corporations are looking to make long-term financial commitments. There is also the factor of “zombie companies” which are holding back

Juke has proved a smash hit for Nissan

Peugeot 208 sales are gathering pace the recovery. These are companies which are heavily in debt, but are being kept on life support by the banks who do not want to see them go bust. The banks don’t want to admit to the losses on these companies, so the companies carry on, selling their products at minimum margins and making life difficult for everyone else. Cynics might say there are one or two zombie car companies as well…

At a manufacturer level, Vauxhall had a good month (up 17%), but that is mostly because of a poor February 2012. A more interesting medium-term trend is the rise of Nissan (up 23.2% in February).

Now up to fourth place, Nissan is in the unusual position of having two successive smash-hit models: the Qashqai and the Juke. Peugeot has also got off to a strong start this year (up 10.8%), as the 208 gathers pace. France will be hoping for a lot more growth this year, as the UK is one of the few places in Europe it can try and sell more cars than last year.

The biggest growth of all came from Land Rover (up 147.3%) as ever more Evoques are delivered to user-choosers. However, Jaguar Land Rover will be just as concerned that the Jaguar XF 2.2 starts to deliver as well. The rise in February of 63% is certainly a start.

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

Manufacturer

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

SALES FIGURES

Feb fleet 2013

6,180 5,886 4,402 2,703 1,380 2,046 1,790 1,836 1,593 1,677 711 878 604 547 506 277 513 423 325 485 238 88 120 74 91 90 132 39 32 10 17 4 15 9 23 2 13 35,759

FUEL PRICES

Feb fleet 2012

5,282 6,614 5,657 2,194 2,852 1,847 1,894 1,654 910 1,338 792 827 523 600 586 112 398 827 472 662 277 54 87 86 317 121 56 19 17 33 25 16 15 128 6 100 14 37,412

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

% change

YTD 2013

YTD 2012

% change

17.00% -11.01% -22.18% 23.20% -51.61% 10.77% -5.49% 11.00% 75.05% 25.34% -10.23% 6.17% 15.49% -8.83% -13.65% 147.32% 28.89% -48.85% -31.14% -26.74% -14.08% 62.96% 37.93% -13.95% -71.29% -25.62% 135.71% 105.26% 88.24% -69.70% -32.00% -75.00% 0.00% -92.97% 283.33% -98.00% -7.14% -4.42%

17,762 15,359 10,903 8,187 7,409 6,841 5,505 5,434 4,415 3,906 3,578 2,972 2,221 2,197 2,150 2,134 1,902 1,346 1,312 1,288 1,039 757 543 395 381 256 164 118 109 64 52 50 44 41 32 9 92 110,967

12,737 18,179 12,915 5,633 8,046 6,252 5,684 5,346 2,991 3,196 3,614 3,330 2,020 2,357 2,269 1,103 1,932 2,212 1,539 1,306 626 505 545 531 1,916 455 123 171 52 78 63 37 54 224 33 203 56 108,333

39.45% -15.51% -15.58% 45.34% -7.92% 9.42% -3.15% 1.65% 47.61% 22.22% -1.00% -10.75% 9.95% -6.79% -5.24% 93.47% -1.55% -39.15% -14.75% -1.38% 65.97% 49.90% -0.37% -25.61% -80.11% -43.74% 33.33% -30.99% 109.62% -17.95% -17.46% 35.14% -18.52% -81.70% -3.03% -95.57% 64.29% 2.43%

F UEL P RICE S

5

9

6

6 EXETER Diesel 144.9 Unleaded 137.55 LPG 74.45

2 BRIGHTON Diesel 144.47 Unleaded 137.07 LPG N/A

7 HEREFORD Diesel 145.91** Unleaded 140.68** LPG N/A

3 CAMBRIDGE Diesel 145.24 Unleaded 139.96 LPG 75.57

8 LEEDS Diesel 142.9 Unleaded 136.44 LPG 67.96*

4 DERBY Diesel 141.91 Unleaded 135.80 LPG N/A

9 LIVERPOOL Diesel 141.46* Unleaded 136.25 LPG N/A

5 EDINBURGH Diesel 142.13 Unleaded 135.27* LPG N/A

10 LONDON Diesel 143.96 Unleaded 136.72 LPG 74.4 11 MANCHESTER Diesel 143.31 Unleaded 137.08 LPG 74.9

8 11 4

1 7

1 BIRMINGHAM Diesel 144.37 Unleaded 137.66 LPG N/A

13

12 3 14 10 2

12 NORWICH Diesel 142.79 Unleaded 136.01 LPG 76.9** 13 OXFORD Diesel 145.33 Unleaded 137.4 LPG N/A 14 WATFORD Diesel 145.17 Unleaded 137.01 LPG N/A

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

OUR F L EE T

2.0 TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HIGHLINE

Class-competitive emissions but fuel consumption is disappointing so far NEED TO KNOW

n Low running costs n BlueMotion technology returns 119g/km

Passat was a double winner at last year's Fleet News awards

COSTS P11D price £22,950 BIK tax band (2013/14) 18% Annual BIK tax (20%) £807 Class 1A NIC £557 Annual VED £0 then £30 RV (4yr/80k) £5,850/25.5% Fuel cost (ppm) 10.49 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.41ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,968 Power (bhp) 140 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 119 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 61.4 Max speed (mph) 132 0-62mph (sec) 9.8 Test mpg 47.7 Current mileage 580 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here to keep track of our long-term test reviews

A

By Stephen Briers year ago the Volkswagen Passat took a double victory at Fleet News Awards, collecting both the upper medium car of the year and the reader-voted new company car of the year trophies.

The judges said it was a “solid, reliable car which offers an upmarket image”.

Four weeks into our long-term test of the Passat, it’s time to ask: is the car living up to these lofty expectations? In short, yes – although not an unqualified success.

The Passat has been an evergreen hit for Volkswagen with class-leading levels of comfort, space and quality. The latest model adds in class-leading CO2 emissions with the BlueMotion 1.6TDI serving up an incredible 109g/km.

Our 2.0-litre diesel test car doesn’t quite match those figures, but the combination of 140bhp, 119g/km CO2 and 61.4mpg is highly impressive.

The first marker for any long-term Fleet News car is its ability to live up to the official fuel consumption figures. So far, it has been found wanting, certainly as far as our daily 24-mile roundtrip commute is concerned. The current average of 47.7mpg is poor, although one longer trip saw the trip computer nudge 54mpg.

However, the extremely cold weather has probably not helped; neither has the fact that the Passat arrived box-fresh with just 100 delivery miles on the clock.

Once it clicks into four figures, with a few longer-haul journeys to bed in the engine, we expect to see much improved fuel efficiency.

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

SALES FIGURES

FUEL PRICES

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

2.2 D 150 SPORT NAV

MAZDA6

Competitive CO2 emissions without performance being sacrificed

W

By Simon Harris

e recently took delivery of a new Mazda6 – a car we have driven a couple of times at Fleet News and one that stacks up very well on paper against rivals.

The CO2 emissions, which are 108g/km on the 150bhp diesel saloon, are lower than less powerful economyfocused rivals but in the Mazda6 you don’t have to sacrifice performance.

Its 0-62mph time of nine seconds is the same as for the BMW 318d.

Our test car uses the standard power diesel with the high-specification Sport equipment grade – sitting above SE and SE-L. It has a TomTom touchscreen navigation system fitted too which, although it is effectively an option, is counted as a Sport Nav variant for valuation purposes on the used market.

The Mazda6 has been praised for retaining much of the sleek appearance of the Takeri concept car that inspired it, and in this Sport model perhaps more so with 19-inch alloy wheels and ‘soul red’ metallic paint (the latter a £660 option – more expensive than the rest of the metallic palette at £520).

This car has an autonomous emergency braking system to protect against low-speed accidents. Other standard features include leather seats, electrically adjustable and heated in the front, bi-xenon headlamps with a cornering function, reversing camera and Bose premium audio system.

All these factors combined to edge out the formidable Volkswagen Passat and be named best upper medium car in the 2013 Fleet News Awards. Over the next 12 months we will be finding out if it proves as impressive to live with as expected given its success so far.

Mazda6 retains the sleek lines of the Takeri concept car

NEED TO KNOW

n Class-leading CO2 per bhp n Styling resembles sleek Takeri concept n Fleet News Award winner

COSTS P11D price £25,540 BIK tax band 16% Annual BIK tax (20%) £817 Class 1A NIC £564 Annual VED £0 then £30 RV (4yr/80k) £6,075 / 24% Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35 AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.67ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 2,191 Power (bhp) 150 Torque lb-ft 280 CO2 (g/km) 108 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 67.3 Max speed (mph) 131 0-62mph (sec) 9.0 Test mpg 51.4 Current mileage 3,471

*Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

OUR F L EE T

MERCEDES C-CLASS

C220 CDI EXECUTIVE SE

Sportier image and stylish interior prove a winning combination NEED TO KNOW

n Sportier image than predecessor n Parking brake seems antiquated

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 48.7 Current mileage 4,572 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous C-Class tests

C-Class has a high level of safety equipment

I

By Sarah Tooze n the short time that the C-Class has been on our fleet I’ve been won over by its looks. It has a younger, sportier image than its predecessor thanks largely to Mercedes-Benz’s decision to make the grille from its Sport models standard on the Executive SE. Drivers can still opt for the traditional bonnet-mounted three-pointed star if they wish but it’s now part of a £2,000 luxury pack.

The C-Class’s interior impresses, particularly the Artico upholstery, which could be mistaken for soft leather and should lift resale values at defleet time.

There’s also a high level of safety equipment including ESP with acceleration skid control, attention assist (which checks for driver fatigue) and Pre-Safe.

Although the C-Class’s looks and technology have impressed, there have been a few niggles on the driving front.

We’ve opted for the manual which has CO2 emissions of 109g/km (on a par with the very lowest BMW can offer in the 3 Series range) but changing gears can be awkward.

Given the choice again I would be tempted to go for the automatic especially as it now has emissions of 114g/km (just one tax band above the manual).

I’m also not a fan of the parking brake, which seems antiquated in comparison to the rest of the C-Class’s image.

Fortunately, the adaptive braking system’s hold function means that use of the parking brake can be kept to a minimum.

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

SALES FIGURES

FUEL PRICES

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

1.6 I-DTEC ES-T

HONDA CIVIC

New diesel engine powers Honda firmly back into the game NEED TO KNOW

n Achieves 94g/km n Built in the UK

COSTS

Honda's new powerplant can outgun key rivals

W

By John Maslen

hen Honda first launched the Civic, the focus was on its looks: its brave fashion statement ensured it stood out in a crowded and competitive sector.

But times change and while it is still a world away from competitors on looks, the focus is now on making vehicles as efficient as possible, particularly when it comes to CO2 emissions.

Our latest long-termer is Honda’s showcase of what it is able to do with diesel technology.

The new 1.6 i-DTEC fitted to our test car puts the manufacturer very firmly back in the game.

Assembled in the UK, the diesel engine is the first new powerplant to be launched in Europe under Honda’s flagship Earth Dreams Technology environmental programme and has been specifically designed to appeal to corporate customers.

Emissions of just 94g/km put the Civic in the 13% BIK tax band for diesels this year, give it £0 VED and qualifies for 100% first-year capital allowances.

But power doesn’t suffer at the hands of economy and the Honda can produce 120bhp and 221lb-fit of torque at 2,000rpm, outgunning key rivals.

On the road, the engine lives up to its promises, delivering smooth and lively performance, reminiscent of a petrol engine in its rev-happy nature.

P11D price £22,090 as tested BIK tax band 13% Annual BIK tax (20%) £548 Class 1A NIC £378 Annual VED £0 RV (4yr/80k) £6,275/29% Fuel cost (ppm) 8.2 AFR (ppm) 12 Running cost (4yr/80k) 30.19ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,597 Power (bhp) 120 Torque (lb-ft) 221 CO2 (g/km) 94 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 78.5 Max speed (mph) 129 0-62mph (sec) 10.5 Test mpg 60.4 Current mileage 972

*Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

OUR F L EE T

RENAULT MEGANE

SPORT TOURER 1.5DCI DYNAMIQUE

Smooth operator proves ideally suited for long journeys NEED TO KNOW

n Test fuel economy of 60mpg n High level of refinement

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 10,200 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Megane tests

Megane's power unit has been adopted by MercedesBenz for its new A-Class

T

By Maurice Glover ransmission ratios are playing an increasingly important role in the motor industry’s quest to wring the most from every gallon.

But driving can be a chore when manufacturers specify ratios so high that anything but cruising on flat and open motorways calls for constant use of the gear lever.

Happily, that doesn’t seem to be the case with our Renault Megane Sport Tourer, because even though it mates a modest-output engine with a six-speed gearbox featuring one of the ‘tallest’ ratios available, the car is surprisingly good to drive.

Of course, the unit in question is the 1.5-litre dCi, the best-seller that went under the bonnets of 1.2 million Renaults last year and now, following a thorough engineering makeover, has also been adopted by Mercedes-Benz for the new A-Class.

Geared so highly that the speedometer needle reads 37mph with the engine spinning at just 1,000rpm in top you’d be forgiven for thinking this Megane is a sluggard for most of the time. But you’d be wrong. Even though it has only 110bhp on tap, the revamped unit behaves in a lively fashion as long as it is kept spinning over the 1,500rpm mark to get the full benefit of the turbo.

After more than 10,000 miles, I’ve had plenty of time to appreciate the finesse of the latest dCi unit and understand why it was chosen to power a car produced by one of the world’s best-known premium manufacturers. The smoothest of operators, it makes little noise and remains largely inaudible most of the time, being particularly relaxed and restful on long journeys for which it is ideally suited.

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

SALES FIGURES

FUEL PRICES

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

2.0 TDI SE

AUDI A3

35% shortfall on official combined mpg figures is cause for concern

T

By Gareth Roberts here’s a lot to like about the all-new Audi A3, but a 35% shortfall on a official combined figure of 68.8mpg isn’t one of them.

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

The weight-saving measures mean on paper our test version – the 2.0 TDI (148bhp) SE – boasts impressive emissions of 106g/km of CO2, while the less powerful (105PS) 1.6 TDI achieves an even better 99g/km. That equates to a an official fuel figure of 74.3mpg for the 1.6 diesel variant, while our 2.0-litre version quotes a combined figure of 68.9mpg.

However, despite covering several hundred miles in town and on the motorway, we haven’t managed to improve on the 48.4mpg achieved last month, which was a 30% shortfall on quoted figures. Quite the opposite in fact, new figures now reveal an even worse figure of 44.8mpg.

It’s important to stress that driving style will have a large part to play in what is achievable in any car. Harsh braking and acceleration will result in more fuel being burned. However, driving style is typically expected to account for a 15% shortfall on quoted combined figures, which should equate to an achievable 58.6mpg – not our 44.8mpg.

It means a company car driver would still receive £6.72 for each gallon of diesel burned reflecting an average pump price of £6.60. So the driver won't be out of pocket on those figures. But for fleets providing drivers with a fuel card, they could find fuel spend significantly higher than they had anticipated.

NEED TO KNOW n 2.0-litre diesel achieves 106g/km n Official fuel economy of 68.9mpg n Test fuel economy of 48.4mpg

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 8,546 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

A3 is 80kg lighter than its predecessor

Click here for previous A3 road tests

OUR F L EE T

3 1.8 DIESEL 4WD

MITSUBISHI ASX

Commanding driving position adds to appeal of solid all-rounder NEED TO KNOW

n Spacious and well-built interior n Good value for money

COSTS

ASX looks good and is easy to drive

B

By Debbie Wood eing only 5ft 2in, I rarely get the experience to feel taller than everyone else, so driving the ASX and having a higher seating position is still quite a novelty. I must admit I feel rather smug towering over other drivers.

SUVs have been growing in popularity over the past few years and the ASX can sometimes be overlooked in a very crowded sector.

Our long-termer, the 3 1.8 Diesel 4WD, is a solid all-round performer. It is easy to drive and manoeuvres well in all environments. The steering is light and the engine has enough performance to satisfy most with 114bhp and a 0-62mph time of 10.6 seconds.

There is very little to criticise. Mitsubishi has created an economical car that looks good and offers value for money with some impressive equipment.

The surroundings are comfortable and spacious and my only real negative would be the lack of engine refinement, which can be noisy at times.

The official economy figure of 54.3mpg, although not class-leading, is achievable if I knuckle down on eco driving. However, a more realistic figure for everyday driving would be between 43mpg and 47mpg.

After only two months with our ASX long termer, it is time to hand the keys over to a colleague and, for me, adjust to being short again.

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 46 Current mileage 2,041 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous ASX tests

FIRST DRIVE

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SALES FIGURES

SEAT EXEO ST

FUEL PRICES

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CARMAKER NEWS

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COMING SOON

2.0 TDI SPORT TECH MULTITRONIC

Faultless performer to depart as plug is pulled on Exeo production

T

By Luke Neal he Exeo ST will shortly be leaving Fleet News after its nine-month, 10,760-mile stint. The reason for its premature departure is that production of the ST will continue only until late May when it will be removed from the current Seat line-up. The saloon version ceases production at the end of this month.

The Exeo was a quick and easy entry into the mainstream D-segment with Seat choosing to facelift an old model Audi A4 rather than going though the expense of developing its own car. While spec levels and build quality were high, the old underpinnings were still evident in other areas.

It will be replaced by the Leon ST due out later this year which is expected to offer greater interior space.

In the meantime, the Exeo ST continues in its day-to-day work. The effortless Multitronic auto box is still providing huge enjoyment and I have now come to terms with the lower than expected fuel economy. As expected, the Exeo has performed faultlessly during its time with us and is still looking and feeling as good as the day it arrived. Excellent build quality will see this car through many more miles of relatively trouble-free motoring, The exit of the Exeo will make way for new models in the Seat line-up which promise to offer striking new designs, class-leading technology and more efficient and cleaner engines.

NEED TO KNOW n High levels of equipment n Excellent build quality

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 10,760 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Exeo will be replaced by the Leon ST

Click here for previous Exeo tests

C A RM A K ER NE W S

O’Shea appointed Volkswagen head of fleet

Volkswagen has appointed Michael O’Shea as its new head of fleet with immediate effect.

O’Shea, previously national fleet sales manager, replaces Vince Kinner who takes charge of a newly-created group fleet function covering Volkswagen’s five main brands – Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen and Volkswagen commercial vehicles.

It is one of a number of internal structural changes which are designed primarily to enhance customer experience through maximising groupwide synergies and reducing duplication in administration and systems development.

Kinner will focus on consolidating the back office functions that have been independently developed by each of the brands, such as IT, invoicing and contacts database. It should make each brand “simpler to do business with”, said a spokeswoman.

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Audi switches on to digital radio

Already factory-fitted to A8 models, digital radio reception is to become standard across most Audi ranges for the 2014 model year.

Digital radio also opens up considerably more stations to Audi owners – the official UK governing body Digital Radio UK estimates that on average most listeners will be able to receive 20 more in addition to their FM favourites.

As with household digital radio receivers, the system will not only display these station names when selected, but also the name of each track of music played and the artist or band performing it.

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Renault could perform U-turn on leased battery policy

Renault boss Carlos Tavares has revealed he is prepared to drop a controversial plan to lease batteries for the electric cars his company aims to market in Britain.

In an exclusive interview with Fleet News, the French group’s chief operating officer pledged he would authorise a move to include battery packs in vehicle purchase pricing if customers prefer it.

The possibility of a U-turn on battery lease was welcomed by Martin Ward, manufacturer relations manager at CAP Monitor, who has refused to make retained value predictions on Renault EV products for the past three years.

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Mirage offer to benefit fleets

A sizeable discount offer aimed at generating retail interest in a new Mitsubishi small car is being made available to fleet buyers.

Trimming £1,000 from the price of all models in the Mirage hatchback range, the launch deal is proving so popular in the showrooms that it has already been extended to cover registrations over the next three months. “This is a significant saving on a vehicle that carries competitive pricing in the first place and there’s no reason why fleets can’t benefit from it,” said Mitsubishi Motors managing director Lance Bradley.

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Average new car emissions tumble

The number of VED-free, sub-100g/km cars rocketed in 2012, more than doubling their share of the market to 8.2%, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This trend towards low emissions and maximum fuel efficiency was reflected by the number of cars registered with CO2 emissions of less than 130g/km.

This emission level is the target average limit set

by Europe for manufacturers to achieve by 2015 and last year more than half the market (55.4%) met the level or improved on it.

Analysis of the emissions of all new cars registered in the UK showed a continued trend in falling CO2 and improving fuel efficiency.

Emissions in 2012 improved 3.6% year-on-year to 133.1g/km CO2, down more than 26% since the year 2000.

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Hyundai to shift focus on to improving fleet offering

Hyundai is expecting modest growth in the fleet market in 2013 after a meteoric rise that has seen it overtake some well-established brands in the past four years.

The Korean brand’s growth in the UK has exceeded its performance overall in Europe and globally. But now, after a busy year for product launches, Hyundai will look to consolidate the efforts of previous years before new products drive further growth in 2014.

The company’s fleet team in the UK has grown from nine people a few years ago to 25 in 2013, and Hyundai’s recently-appointed fleet director Martin Wilson has overseen much of the company’s corporate sales success as national fleet sales manager.

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OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

Jaguar Land Rover’s global sales rise 3% in February

Jaguar Land Rover sold 26,855 vehicles during February 2013, an increase of 3% versus the same period last year.

Sales for the brand for the first two months of the year were up 18% with 61,732 vehicles sold.

February sales were up in almost every major market: 20% in Asia Pacific, 20% in North America, 15% in the UK, and 6% in Europe.

In China, sales were down by 22% reflecting the Chinese New Year falling in February this year and January last year.

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E.On chooses Toyota hybrids

Energy company E.On, whose field engineers already use Toyota Hilux pick-ups, has chosen the Auris hybrid for its venues and events teams.

Twelve of the cars were recently handed over to E.On at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire, home of Auris Hybrid production.

Marco Mazzafiore, system support manager at E.On, said: “We’re committed to helping our own customers reduce their energy use, saving them money on their bills and lowering carbon emissions, and we’re keen to do the same within our field sales fleet."

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F L EE T NE W S AWA RD S 2 013

Fleet News Awards 2013 roll of honour Who is the best in fleet? All the winners are named here FLEET AWARDS Fleet of the year up to 250 vehicles sponsored by Auto Windscreens Winner GE Capital

Fleet of the year 251-500 vehicles sponsored by Volkswagen Fleet Winner Rhodar Highly commended Gloucestershire Constabulary

Fleet of the year 501-1,000 vehicles sponsored by Hertz Van Rental Winner Ashfield In2Focus

Fleet of the year 1,001-plus vehicles sponsored by Honda UK Winner Rentokil Initial

Safe fleet of the year sponsored by FMG Winner LOCOG Highly commended Balfour Beatty Fleet Services

Green fleet of the year sponsored by Lex Autolease Winner Addison Lee Highly commended Commercial Group

Cost saving initiative of the year sponsored by Zenith Winner BT Fleet

Grey fleet of the year sponsored by Sewells Winner Countryside Council for Wales

MANUFACTURER AWARDS Best small car Winner Ford Fiesta Highly commended Audi A1

Best lower medium car Winner Volkswagen Golf Highly commended Ford Focus Volvo V40

Best upper medium car Winner Mazda6 Highly commended Volkswagen Passat

Best estate car Winner Skoda Superb estate Highly commended Hyundai i40 Tourer Volkswagen Passat estate

Best all-round 4x4 Winner Land Rover Discovery Highly commended Toyota Land Cruiser

Best full size people carrier Winner Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Highly commended Ford S-Max Toyota Prius+

Best crossover Winner Range Rover Evoque Highly commended Mazda CX-5

Best premium car Winner BMW 3 Series

Best executive car Winner BMW 5 Series

Ultra-low CO2 car Winner Nissan Leaf

Green fleet manufacturer sponsored by Stobart Automotive Winner Ford Motor Company Highly commended BMW (UK)

Most improved fleet manufacturer sponsored by Stobart Automotive Winner Ford Motor Company Highly commended Hyundai Motor UK

SUPPLIER AWARDS Leasing company of the year sponsored by In-Car Cleverness Winner Zenith Highly commended Leasedrive LeasePlan

Best short-term rental company Winner Europcar Group Highly commended Hertz UK

Customer service award sponsored by Skoda UK Winner LeasePlan Highly commended Leasedrive

Best new product or service sponsored by Sewells Winner Zenith for its Pulse MI software system Highly commended ARI Fleet UK for ARI Analytics

HEADLINE AWARDS Fleet manager of the year sponsored by FMG Winner Justin Patterson, MITIE Highly commended Lorna McAtear, E.On Estelle Howick, Pfizer

Supplier of the year sponsored by Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services Winner The Automobile Association Highly commended Holdcroft Motor Group

New company car of the year sponsored by LeasePlan Winner BMW 3 Series

Fleet manufacturer of the year sponsored by KeeResources Winner BMW (UK)

Fleet News Hall of fame sponsored by Seat UK Winner David Graham

FIRST DRIVE

TESTED THIS MONTH

FUEL PRICES

SALES FIGURES

975

bottles of wine drunk during the evening

1,519

Number of guests, a record

£94,000

the food bill for the three-course evening meal

£16,419

money raised for Marie Curie this year – another record.

1

Number of broken trophies on the night

9,864

pieces of crockery used during dinner

OUR FLEET

CARMAKER NEWS

FLEET NEWS AWARDS

COMING SOON

T E S T ED T HIS MON T H

Coming soon...

Future model launches and the key facts to win fleet interest Lexus IS300h On sale: July 2013

What’s new? Lexus describes its IS300h hybrid as a “massive game-changer”, helping to connect its range for fleet customers. It will compete on price with the BMW 3 Series. The battery placement gives a lower centre of gravity for improved driving performance and a luggage capacity identical to the petrol IS. Price: from £26,495 CO2 emissions: from 99g/km Residual value forecast: 38% over three years/60,000 miles.

Volkswagen Golf GTD On sale: September 2013

Suzuki SX4 Crossover On sale: start of Quarter 4, 2013

What’s new? Gives Suzuki its first presence in key fleet C-sector. Crossover claims classleading luggage space and low emissions.

Price (est): from £16,000 (2WD) and £24,000 (4WD) Engines: 1.6-litre diesel; 1.6-litre petrol CO2 emissions: 110g/km (2WD diesel); 125g/km (2WD petrol) Sales target: 2,000 this year, with fleet around 800. Next year, 7,000 with fleet taking 40%

What’s new? Hot diesel version with greater performance and improved efficiency and with a new six-speed manual gearbox.

Price (est): from £25,000 Engines: 2.0-litre 181bhp turbodiesel engine Efficiency: 67.3mpg and 109g/km CO2 Performance: 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds; top speed of 142mph

FIRST DRIVE

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FUEL PRICES

CARMAKER NEWS

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COMING SOON

BMW 3 Series GT On sale: Summer 2013

Toyota Auris Sports Touring On sale: Summer 2013

What’s new? The Auris Sports Touring will major on low CO2 emissions and practicality.

Engines: 1.3-litre/1.6-litre petrol; 1.4 D-4D diesel; 1.8 hybrid Price: £15,595-22,845 CO2 emissions: from 85g/km (hybrid)

Ford Tourneo Custom On sale: Summer 2013

OUR FLEET

What’s new? The passenger version of the Transit Custom should attract businesses.

It comes in eight- and nine-seat configurations.

Engines: 2.2-litre diesel with 99bhp, 123bhp or 153bhp Rivals: Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle and Fiat Scudo Passenger Transport

What’s new? This hatchback/estate crossover promises to be more luxurious and spacious than the 3 Series Touring on which it is based.

Engines Diesel range includes 318d and 320d Efficiency: 318d should be the most frugal at 62.8mpg

Nissan Note On sale: September/October 2013

What’s new? New car set to hit mainstream B-sector – aiming at Ford Fiesta territory.

Price (est): starting from £11,625 Engines: revised 1.5-litre diesel and two 1.2-litre petrol engines CO2 emissions: diesel 95g/km, petrol 99g/km

Toyota ProAce On Sale: August 2013

What’s new? The ProAce is a rebadged Peugeot Expert.

The Toyota variant will come with the familiar family face and a choice of two vehicle lengths and two heights.

Loading and unloading is made simpler thanks to the choice of either one or two sliding doors at the side, and via a top-hinged tailgate or dual-split doors with 270° opening at the rear.

Events

networking of the year dinner The

13th November 2013 Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London

Headline sponsor

Associate sponsors

Book your table now – visit www.fn50event.co.uk