Fleet car spring 17

IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE

Volume 16. No. 1. Spring 2017

Opel Insignia II Fleet Fit for Purpose

FE ATU RE S

PICTORIAL: FEATURE: Driver Safety & BIK with DriverFocus HEAD TO HEAD: Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate vs Volvo V90 INTERVIEW: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' new Fleet Manager LAUNCH PAD: BMW 5 Series, Ford's ST-Line, Peugeot 3008, Audi A5, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius Plug-In, Kia Rio, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Suzuki Ignis & Mazda CX-5 REVIEWED: Fiat Tipo & Renault Mégane Grand Coupe

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Contents Spring 2017 3 News • Fleet Car Awards 2018 • Autostyle 2017 - Entries open • Bridgestone & Enterprise brands lauded • Premiers from SsangYong & Skoda • Changes to VAT on M50 • Diesel becoming less popular?

• Blocking of mobiles backed plus Junction Box

Fleet Car Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie ISSN: 1649-9433 www.fleetcar.ie Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie Deputy Editor: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle

8 Cover First drive in new Opel Insignia 10 Review I Tested: Fiat Tipo hatch 11 Feature Enhancing DfW with DriverFocus

Contibutor: Rob Van Dieten Cover Picture: Katrin Denkewitz Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey

12 Interview with Carl Goldfinch, FCA Ireland

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Advertising: Mary Morrissey

www.fleetcar.ie | 3 13 Review II Tested: Renault Mégane Grand Coupe 14 Report 87th Geneva Motor Show 2017 18 Comparison Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volvo V90 19 Launch Pad • Tesla X • BMW 5 series • Ford ST-Line • Peugeot 3008 • Audi A5 • Honda Civic • Toyota Prius • Kia Rio • Alfa Romeo Giulia • Suzuki Ignis • Mazda CX-5

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Design: Eamon Wynne

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

www.fleet.ie

Disclaimer: Fleet Car Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this

publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

MANAGEMENT

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The merits of Natural Gas as a cleaner and viable alternative to power commercial vehicles will be explored and discovered at this half day Conference. in association with

www.fleetcar.ie

4 | NEWS I

Fleet Car Awards set for September 28

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leet Publications is pleased to announce that the seventh running of the prestigious Fleet Car Awards will take place on Thursday, 28 September, 2017, with the prize presentation event to be held at Citywest Hotel, Saggart, County Dublin.

For the first time, the Fleet Car Awards will be held on the same day as the Fleet Transport Awards which each year honour Ireland’s best road transport operators and commercial vehicle manufacturers. Attracting in excess of 875 visitors to its gala function, the Fleet Transport Awards is the largest annual motor and transport related event on the island of Ireland.

Since the inaugural Fleet Car Awards in 2012, it has become firmly established as a must attend event for the motor and business car industry.

Presenting ‘Best In Category’ awards across a selection of fleet/corporate car segments, the event is also an important networking opportunity, bringing together under one roof representatives from vehicle distributors and fleet companies, as well as from other

www.fleetcar.ie

Car

supporting ancillary sectors.

“We’re AWARDS delighted 2018 that the Fleet Rewarding innovation in the Corporate Car Sector Car Awards is continuing to go from strength to strength,” said Fleet Car Deputy Editor, Cathal Doyle. “By holding the Fleet Car Awards on the same day as the Fleet Transport Awards, this presents an unrivalled opportunity for all sections of Ireland’s fleet and commercial vehicle industries to experience and appreciate the importance of the transport sector to the country. We believe there is an important crossover too, as many leasing companies also deal in commercial vehicles, while in turn many larger road transport operators also run company cars. With an extensive range of vehicles ranging from heavy trucks and vans to cars also set to be on display, the Fleet Car Awards and Fleet Transport Awards promise to be must attend events at Citywest Hotel this September.”

Autostyle 2017 – Applications open

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tudents of car design are invited to submit entries for the fourteenth annual Autostyle Awards. Young, upcoming designers are asked to create a special version, based on an existing original production or concept car.

Organised by Italian company Berman S.p.A., a leading designer and manufacturer of body components and genuine accessories for the top car and light commercial brands, the international competition is supported by Auto & Design magazine.

“Twelve young designers will be chosen as finalists based on the entries received. The selected students must choose at least two cars, one from the urban category and the other from sports cars/crossovers,” explained Robert Artioli, President, Berman S.p.A. The proposals submitted will be assessed by the Evaluation Committee (which includes Fleet Car’s Jarlath Sweeney), representatives of car manufacturers; and car manufacturers’ FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

chief designers, with invited guests assessing the proposals.

Applicants are requested to submit their resumes and portfolios by email (size limit 10 MB) to autostyle@berman.it by 28 April 2017 with the subject matter: Autostyle 2017 – Student.

The selected designers will be notified of their participation to the project with completed projects to be submitted by 31 July 2017.

Prize-winners will be announced at a special ceremony and exhibition held in Mantra, Italy on 6 October.

Kevin Troy, Branch Director, Renault Retail Group Kevin Troy has been appointed Branch Director for Renault Retail Group at Renault’s Belgard dealership in Tallaght. No stranger to the motor industry, Kevin joins the dealership from Renault Ireland, where he spent over a decade as Sales & Network Business Manager. Prior to this, Kevin was Key Accounts Manager at Transport Components on Dublin’s Long Mile Road for 10 years.

European sales up but forecast for growth to fall New car registrations totalled 1.1 million units across Europe in February 2017, an increase of 1.2% compared to February 2016. However despite this being the second highest February volume recorded since 2008, the forecast is for a slow down in market growth. Notably the 1.2% growth is significantly lower than the 14% growth recorded in February 2016.

Th ree of Europe’s largest five markets posted a drop in registrations, with France, Germany, and the UK all experiencing a decline. The largest decline was posted by France, where the significant increase in registrations of SUVs was not enough to offset the drops posted by MPVs and compact cars. Germany’s registrations decreased by 2.6%, and registrations for diesel cars fell by 10.5% compared to February 2016.

NEWS II | 5

New MD at Volvo Car Ireland David Thomas has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Volvo Car Ireland, Having worked with Volvo Cars for 22 years i n v a r iou s international posts. David held a number of senior management roles including serving as Managing Director of Russia, Regional Vice President, based in Sweden, Vice President Global Fleet and Managing Director of Switzerland.

Most recently, David has worked in the US market leading Customer Ex perience and Net work for America.

Ford’s Cork-ing St. Patrick’s Day As befitting a car brand that is synonymous with the southern capital of Ireland, Ford had a starring role at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Cork.

To celebrate the company’s centenary in the city, 10 vehicles spanning 100 years of Ford participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, led by a 1926 Ford Model T touring car with the Lord Mayor Cllr. Des Cahill and Grand Marshal Rachel Allen on board. The range of models also included: 1927 Ford Model TT one ton truck; 1929 Fordson Tractor; 1947 Ford Prefect; 1967 Ford Cortina; 1971 Ford Escort; 1973 Ford Capri; 1978 Ford Fiesta; 1984 Ford Transit; and new Ford Mustang.

Bridgestone tops tyre brands ‘Most Valuable’ list…..

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ridgestone is the fastest-growing and most valuable tyre brand according to a report by Brand Finance, an independent branded business valuation consultancy.

It says that although raw material costs are on the rise and these are driving up tyre prices, eight of the ten tyre brands deemed most valuable have seen their brand values rise during the past year.

Brand Finance calculates that Bridgestone’s brand value is worth USD 7.5 billion, an increase of 15% on last year. Michelin is

deemed the second most valuable with a brand value of USD 6.1 billion after rising three per cent, while Continental takes third place despite falling four per cent to US$3.6 billion.

The only other brand to show a decrease in brand value was Yokohama which dropped 11% in value to USD 1 billion, falling behind Dunlop in the rankings in the process.

Yokohama brand’s profits declined by almost 50 per cent in the fi rst half of 2016.

….. While Enterprise is the World’s Most Valuable Car Rental Brand

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eparately in another survey, Brand Finance estimates Enterprise as the world’s most valuable car rental services brand. It retains its title thanks to an increase in value of 22% to USD 5.3 billion this year. Brand Finance says that Enterprise is rapidly expanding its capacity and its geographical reach with store openings in multiple locations across Latin America and the Middle East. Total fleet size increased by 55% year-on-year, yet Enterprise was able to sustain this ambitious expansion, with utilisation holding steady at 71%.

Second-placed Hertz also increased its brand value by 5% to USD 2.3 billion. It sits ahead

of Avis Budget Group (USD 1.7 billion), Budget (USD 723 million) and Europcar (USD 614 million).

Ninth placed Sixt is the industry’s fastest growing brand, up 54% to USD 357 million.

Revenues increased 14.6% year-on-year to EUR1.15 billion in the first half of 2016. The growth is primarily due to a strong demand from commercial, corporate and private clients alongside improvements to sales and marketing activities. Like Enterprise, it is expanding rapidly, opening approximately 60 locations in the fi rst half of 2016.

SsangYong & Škoda reveals flagship model, while Škoda’s appearance at the Shanghai Motor Show 2017 was sparked by electric charge, with its Vision E concept. Škoda’s Vision E is a five-door SUV coupé that is estimated to travel up to 500 kilometres on purely electric power.

T

wo significant new car models were launched by SsangYong and Škoda at separate Motor Shows in Asia last month.

At the Seoul Motor Show the SsangYong Motor Company unveiled its new Rexton (project name Y400) large SUV and www.fleetcar.ie

6 | NEWS III

Ruling may impact M50 toll VAT reclamation

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European Court of Justice ruling is set to have a significant impact on commercial drivers using the M50 and Port Tunnel toll.

With effect from 1 April, the Court has ruled that VAT - applicable at a rate of 23% - can no longer be included in the charge.

The Government agency eFlow which operates the toll system has stated that the price will remain the same after 1 April, however for companies operating a commercial fleet this is misleading.

Previously if you were VAT registered and engaged in vatable activity you could reclaim the VAT for toll charges on the M50. That will no longer be the case.

Transport Ireland (TII) has advised that this ruling followed a decision

by Revenue in July 2010 that VAT be imposed on M50 and Dublin Tunnel tolls. TII appealed the ruling but while the appeal went ahead, decided to absorb the cost of the VAT. This was done on the basis that if the appeal was successful, the pre-July 2010 position would prevail.

Therefore it notes that in the relevant period its net receipts in respect of the tolls were effectively reduced by nearly 20%.

Diesel starting to lose popularity

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new report from the UK suggests a change in thinking by consumers when it comes to diesel cars. According to the survey by car reviews site carbuyer.co.uk, almost two-thirds of consumers have been put off buying such cars by recent reports on the negative effects of diesel engine emissions.

Carbuyer’s survey showed 61% of respondents have been put off buying a diesel car, 33% said they’d been unaffected by the negative stories and 6% said they weren’t aware of any news.

That trend is also happening in Ireland.

In the fi rst two months of 2017, diesel sales have dropped from over 70% over the course of 2016 to 66.3%, with petrol up to just under 30% from 27.2% in 2016. Hybrid sales are also on the up, taking 3.4% of the market so far this year compared to just 1.75% in 2016.

The report is backed up by figures showing diesel sales were down 9.2% in the UK in February 2017 compared with February 2016, while sales of alternative-fuel vehicles such as hybrids and batterypowered cars were up 48.9% over the same period.

Recent months have seen an increased focus on diesel in the media with stories including possible restrictions on diesel cars in some European cities, and the Volkswagen emissions scandal, leading many industry analysts to expect a continuing move towards petrol, hybrid and electric cars in the years ahead

Irish drivers back block on mobiles

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early half of all Irish drivers would support the introduction of technology to disable certain phone functions for the sake of safety.

still the most common activities though nearly half of the drivers surveyed say they regularly use their phone for accessing their social media profi les while driving.

46% of those surveyed by Continental Tyres’ Vision Zero initiative – a commitment to reduce road fatalities worldwide – thought limiting phone functionality when on the move to be a good idea, with more than one in four respondents (26%) feeling that some form of blocking device would be more effective at deterring mobile phone use than the introduction of harsher penalties.

Head of Continental Tyres Ireland, Tom Dennigan, said: “Our research reveals that drivers know that their use of phones is illegal, distracting and dangerous, yet it is clear that many of them cannot help themselves.”

Worryingly - if not surprisingly - more than half of drivers (54%) admit to regularly using their mobile phone while behind the FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

wheel, with 36% feeling that mobile phone use is ‘normalised’ as so many people are doing it. In fact a majority - 62% feel it is OK to use a phone in stopped or slow moving traffic, whereas only 22% said it is illegal to use a phone in any traffic situation Making / receiving calls and texting are

Professor John Groeger, a specialist in driver psychology and author of ‘Sharing the Driving’ for Continental Tyres said: “It is really interesting that motorists want an enforced solution rather than to curb their own behaviour – yet there is no such system currently available.”

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8 | COVER

Opel Insignia - First drive

Perfect timing for new Opel Insignia into fleet sector

“D

esign alone will never sell a car,” stated Thomas Benkner, Manager, Marketing Product & Planning at Opel Europe during the international launch of the all-new Opel Insignia. But one look at the sleek lines of the latest generation family car from the German brand is enough to attract the buyer.

One just has to take for granted that this five door hatch drives as good as it looks, and it does. After hearing of all the technology put into the flagship direct from the team of engineers based at the company’s headquarters in Rüsselsheim, we were convinced even before taking to the wheel. From its coupe like design lines the new Insignia gets a more elongated name, as in Grand Sport for the mainstream model while the Sport Tourer label remains for the estate version recently launched at the Geneva Motor Show.

Production is now in full swing at the home of Opel. New Insignia Grand Sport is just one part of the 7 in 2017 product offensive from the marque but a major part. Insignia has been a great success story for Opel with 940,000 unit sales since inception in 2008. Like the current Astra, generation next Insignia relates to the Monza concept from 2013 and shares many aspects of the prototype in the finalized product.

Between ramp-up on the production line and the initial development phase, General Motors, the then parent of Opel Europe invested over €500m in the project. The PSA Group in France has subsequently taken over the company. In similar fashion to the original model, Opel’s key product indicators for the new Insignia is innovative technology, timeless design and dynamic driveability. Add in affordability for what’s

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

inside now and you have the package in one.

The fleet corporate market has been good to Opel with the outgoing Insignia, but it had some flaws – which mind you, have been more than adequately addressed. Being wider and longer it is less claustrophobic inside, while rear seat passengers have lots more room from top to bottom. By lowering the seating position by 30mm, the driver feels more engaged with the road, while the one-touch tech on the infotainment system is simplified.

New features such as the heads-up display over the dashboard in direct line of the driver’s eye, together with a range of driver assistance systems ensures that all occupants are safer while on board. With better lumbar support in the seats, they will sit more comfortably too.

Much play has been made of Opel’s OnStar Connectivity system and this has been enhanced further, which no doubt will give brand ambassador, Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool FC manager even more to talk about. He will explain that real time hotel booking and a parking search programme have been installed, while induction charging is available for smartphones. 4G WiFi on board will be much in demand by all occupants.

Regarding the drivetrains, the new lighter bodyshell and latest engines/transmission have managed to reduce the overall weight of the car by up to 200 kg for the Sports Tourer (175 kg for the Grande Sport).

This brings added benefits when it comes to lower running costs, circa 10% on fuel economy alone when the 1.6 litre diesels are compared.

Stopping at the petrol pump are two new engines, 1.5 litre 140bhp (derived from the 1.4 in the Astra) and an upgraded 2.0 litre with 280bhp that boasts All-Wheel-Drive and a new 8-speed automated transmission.

Moving to the diesel pump will be versions powered by two 2.0 litre units, a 110bhp and a 170bhp turbo diesel variant, both with 6-speed manual gearboxes.

The 170hp 2.0 litre TD and 260bhp AT-8 AWD were driven on the day. Straight away the smooth ride enhanced the pleasant journeys and one had to notice that it took less energy from the driver to get from point A to B. Noticeable too was the spaciousness inside, which was sadly lacking here-tofore.

During the static presentation of the Sports Tourer, the design lines similar to the Monza concept were even more pronounced with its elongated chrome bar transversing practically the whole length of the car. What is deceiving is that this estate offers even more load space - at 1,665 litres that is 130 litres more than its predecessor.

New to Insignia is the Exclusive pack, which allows customers to enhance their purchase even further by specifying the exact alloys, interior finish and even a bespoke colour, if desired.

Paramount to the smooth drive is the development of a Flex Ride system which, allied to the stiffer chassis, new suspension settings and active twin clutch boosts the handling and with the choice of tour, sport or normal mode setting, the driver can engage with the car even more. As the fleet sector amounts to between 60-80% of its overall sales, depending on individual markets, the figure can be increased further with this new Insignia, as it arrives in a time where freshness in the market is needed.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

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10 | REVIEW I One of Fiat’s fortes is its engine technology and again developments in this area bring appealing performance combined with fuel efficiency. On trial was the 1.6 MultiJet turbo diesel that offers 120hp, which proved zippy when needed and yet economical, helped by the smooth running 6-speed transmission. Over the 1300 kilometres or so covered around Ireland from Dublin to Mayo to Cork, an average of 5.6 L/100km was recorded.

That’s an acceptable 50.4mpg. Nothing too alarming to report on how the Tipo handles, it’s well capable on tight and twisty roads and comfortable on the long straight stretches. Other diesel engine choices include a 95hp 1.3 and a 1.6 120 hp with DCT dual clutch automatic gearbox.

On this Easy trim level, steering wheel controls with leather steering wheel and gear knob housing were appreciated.

Fiat’s Tipo Revival

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itmo, Tipo, Bravo and Stilo were all Fiat models in the small family car segment over the decades. All of these car brands ending coincidently in the letter O. By reincarnating the Tipo name into the marketplace, the Italian brand is creating an ‘Oh’ feeling once again with these new entrants into the C Segment.

With a three pronged attack consisting of a 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon and Station Wagon, they are all dressed up in the fi nest Italian style, at an ultra competitive price.

in the segment. Storage space around the cabin is generous.

As expected with modern day cars, connectivity when travelling is a must and there are no shortfalls here either, with 5” touch screen for radio, navigation, telephone, music streams and social media all available in simple to use formats.

Adaptive Cruise Control makes the journey more pleasant and safer also. Most of these fittings are available on the middle tier Easy and range topping Lounge specification, with limited offerings on the Pop entry level.

Eyebrows were certainly raised on seeing the latest arrival into the new car scene for the fi rst time. ‘Oh, that’s the new Fiat?” is being heard right across the country. There is something about this born again Tipo that will generate the spark needed to revitalise Fiat once more.

It’s up to Fiat Automobiles Ireland to capture this curiosity and get its much needed expanding dealer network to get the proverbial ‘bums on seats’.

Designed in Italy and built in Turkey, prices start at less than €18,000 for the 1.4 litre 95hp petrol Pop range starter.

Both the Ritmo and the Tipo in their fi rst life achieved over 2 million unit sales and from what we see and know of the new Tipo so far, that production figure will be reached and likely exceeded within a shorter timespan.

The theme of the product marketing strategy of the new Tipo family is three fold too - high specification, quality build and great value for money. One of its promotional campaigns highlights this - ‘Amore, For Less’ - in that you get much more than you paid for. All three models have an attractive, appealing look, both inside and out. On the hatch version driven, we were surprised by its spacious and functionality inside.

Generous legroom and 400 litres of boot space put this Tipo among the class leaders FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

FEATURE | 11

Improving Driving For Work Safety with DriverFocus associated with driving for work using mobile cloud technology and robust risk management processes. He is keen to point out that unlike telematics devices which record exactly where a driver is at any time, DriveNtell works by pairing your smartphone with a non-GPS in-car device, thereby ensuring driver privacy is not violated.

The Dun Laoghaire based company was founded in 2006 and has worked with many leading blue chip companies, fleet service providers and insurers both in Ireland and the UK to ensure compliance with duty-of-care legislation and demonstrate good corporate responsibility.

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mployers are g radua l ly becoming more aware of their duty of care responsibilities for employees who drive for work. However it remains an ongoing challenge to educate both bosses and drivers that there are distinct onuses when driving for work, as distinct from driving as a private individual.

Telematics has been touted as a means of allowing employers to monitor driver behaviour, but there are a number of issues, for instance relating to privacy.

Another frequently raised concern with many telematics packages is that they provide too much information, much of it not particularly relevant. If a fleet manager or company boss has to sift through piles of data in order to extract relevant information, the chances are he or she just won’t bother.

On the face of it, DriveNtell from award winning Irish company DriverFocus might appear to be just another telematics package, but company founder Ron McNamara says that it’s a system designed to focus specifically on the key risk areas

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

DriveNtell is an app-based connected car system using TomTom Telematics soft ware. Easily set up and transferrable to other vehicles - you just plug in a black box device into the car - it raises drivers’ awareness of how they drive, and, according to Ron, encourages them to think in terms of SPARC - Smoothness, Progress, Anticipation, Restraint and Consistency.

We took a spin with Ron to see how it works. Before moving off he started a trip on the smartphone app, thereby activating the device to record. Without doing this there will be no record of a journey, which drivers may choose when travelling on private business.

The system records activity such as harsh braking and acceleration as well as speed limits. When a transgression occurs, e.g. braking sharply, the system can be set to issue a gentle warning. A score is given telling you how you compared to previous journeys, and against other colleagues.

Once a trip is completed the data can be downloaded to a laptop.

While drivers may initially be against the idea of being monitored, Ron says that feedback shows that around 80% acknowledge that they are more aware of their driving than prior to using DriveNtell.

Automated Benefit In Kind (BIK) Reporting DriveNtell has another benefit, one that Ron admits is perhaps att racting more business than the driver safety aspect.

Namely that it is an easy and accurate way to monitor and record business related mileage for company car BIK calculations. A poll conducted by the Irish Payroll Association (IPASS) recently indicated that 80% of staff who drive for work still use either Excel or paper-based log book.

Not only is this inefficient, often taking up hours each month, it’s also error prone and repetitive, leading to increased possibility of non-compliant revenue returns.

By automatically capturing mileage data, DriveNtell Connect makes it easy for drivers to allocate trips as business or private travel, by a simple tagging method using their smartphone app. It allows Payroll departments to immediately see up-to-date summaries of their employees’ business travel at any time.

Furthermore it provides Revenue with a clear and auditable record of business mileage, meaning they are less likely to challenge calculations compared to manual records.

DriveNtell Connect has proven a big success with companies, with major firms such as The Musgrave Group rolling it out across its 120+ company car users.

For companies looking to further encourage a safe driving environment for employees, DriverFocus also offers one-on-one in-vehicle training as well as a customised Managed Service Programme.

At a price of around €10 a month per vehicle, DriveNtell is a package that every safety conscious business owner or fleet operator should consider. Visit www. driverfocus.com or call them on 01 2311 400 for further information.

www.fleetcar.ie

12 | INTERVIEW

One-to-One

with Carl Goldfinch - Fleet & Business Sales Manager, FCA Ireland

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles targets fleet market growth

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f there’s a sense of optimism abounding around the corridors of Agnelli House on the Naas Road these days, you can understand why. It’s been a tough few years for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in Ireland, not least because many of its products, notably the 500 family which sells very well in the rest of Europe, compete in relatively niche markets in Ireland.

However the arrival of the Fiat Tipo at the end of last year, and more recently the Alfa Romeo Giulia have infused fresh enthusiasm into the Group which also includes Jeep and Fiat Professional in its line-up of brands.

That extends to the fleet market, with the above mentioned cars highly relevant to buyers in the C-Segment and Premium sectors respectively. In the UK Fiat has been winning awards as the most improved fleet manufacturer, while in Ireland a dedicated Fleet & Business Sales Manager has recently been appointed. Having previously worked with Toyota in the UK and most recently with Merrion Fleet in Ireland, Carl Goldfinch brings the experience necessary to develop FCA’s business car credentials here.

Fleet Car (FC): What opportunities do you see for FCA in Ireland?

Carl Goldfi nch (CG): “ There is huge potential to grow the brand. One of my challenges is to make our image more aware to the public as well as the corporate car market. Also with the dealerships we need to have someone to support them in developing fleet and business opportunities.

Up to now fleet business has largely been going to dealers directly. We need to work closely with them as they are the eyes and ears for our business to grow. We have plans to grow our network, for instance Mullingar Autos has been appointed as a new Fiat Professional partner, while Fiat is also undergoing a rebranding of its image.

FC: How important are the new models from Fiat and Alfa Romeo?

CG: “Hugely important. The Tipo is the car that has been sorely missed in the Fiat family. It offers us a huge opportunity in what is the largest car segment. One thing that is very important with the Tipo is that it is available in a full range of body styles - hatchback, saloon and estate.

Equally the new Alfa Romeo Giulia is the car we have been waiting for. We are confident that it is pitched at the right specification and price and that it’s the car to put Alfa back on people’s radars.

It’s a real head-turner - people have to be att racted to a car and FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

the Giulia certainly does this. It’s what Alfa is all about. Then at the end of the year we will have the Stelvio, Alfa’s fi rst time in the SUV segment, and another great looking car.

Also note that within the Fiat Professional line-up there is a full range of commercial vehicles available, while there will be a new Jeep Compass at the end of the year. So lots of opportunities.

FC: What are the key challenges in establishing FCA in the fleet segment, and how do you aim to grow that market?

CG: Our aim is to give companies and leasing suppliers another option. Clearly there are limitations on what brands are allocated into companies. By offering a product like the Giulia which is priced across a broad range and is highly specced, we aim to get in at the high end of the market and this will then fi lter down through the other versions and models.

We want to make people aware of the cars and the support available, and will look to deal directly with companies. For example, the Giulia is already out with selected companies so that they can experience it fi rst hand. I’ll be working with product managers across the brands, while the contacts I have built up in previous roles will also help.

Additionally the dealer network will be working with the head office on potential opportunities a lot more closely to understand how we can further develop existing business in ways that we may not have done in the past. What’s important is to listen to people and to build relationships up - people tend to buy from people they like so that is a clear focus for us.

Text & Photo: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

REVIEW II | 13

Renault broadens Mégane appeal with new Grand Coupe

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espite its name, let’s be clear that the new Renault Mégane Grand Coupe is not a coupé. By any definition of the term. It has four doors, there are frames around those doors, and headroom for rear seat passengers is generous.

It’s a saloon in other words. Though in fairness a rather stylish one, with sloping C-pillars that do bear more resemblance to a coupe than a traditional boxy saloon. You can see where they are coming from with the name. Certainly it’s one of the better looking saloons on sale today, and should appeal to a much broader audience than the Fluence it replaces.

It comes in four versions with prices starting from €21,990. Our test car was the range-topping Signature trim, a unique specification for the Grand Coupe, and boasting extras such as leather seating, 18” alloys, and full LED lighting.

If the exterior is stylish, the interior doesn’t let the side down either.

Dominating the dashboard is an 8.7 inch portrait touchscreen that controls the navigation and infotainment system. It’s one of the cleanest and most easy to use systems that we have come across, As with the Mégane Hatch, Renault has upped its game when it comes to the quality of materials.

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Certainly in Signature trim the cabin oozes quality that wouldn’t be out of place in a premium segment car.

There’s a spacious boot boasting a volume of 550 litres - that’s 20 litres more than the Fluence could offer. Somewhat annoyingly though, you cannot open it via a button from the outside - the rear view camera in higher spec models is positioned where the button would go - so you have to open via the key fob, or from the inside.

Speaking of the key fob, it’s of the flat credit card sized type long used by Renault.

However, whereas previous versions had indented/outdented buttons making it easy to operate by touch, the latest version features small flat buttons with symbols that are hard to see in daylight, never mind at night. Yes, it’s keyless entry so you can open the doors with the fob in your pocket, but does that really excuse making it so user unfriendly?

One aspect of the car that we cannot gripe about is the engine. Our test car had the more powerful 1.6 litre dCi diesel with 130 bhp - there’s also a 1.5 litre 110 bhp version.

It’s a quiet and refined unit, has plenty of power for overtaking - though you do need to push the accelerator beyond what seems its initial travel to avail of the full grunt. We like its frugality too, averaging 4.6 l/100km (61.4 mpg) covering in excess of 1,000 hard driven kilometres. Just the ticket for the fleet manager looking to save operating costs!

No issues either on the ride and handling fronts. The steering is perhaps a litt le light to offer true driver appeal, but it turns in well and the Mégane grips strongly and predictably. Likewise the suspension is quite supple and provides plenty of comfort.

If you’re buying one secondhand down the line you can be reasonably sure it’s an Irish car too, as the Grand Coupe isn’t being sold in the UK. The Mégane Grand Coupe is a significant step forward for Renault compared to the outgoing Fluence.

A stylish looking, good to drive, practical and well equipped saloon, it’s a vehicle that should offer significant appeal to private and fleet customers alike.

www.fleetcar.ie

14 | REPORT

87th Geneva International Motor Show 2017

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t’s the major motor event of the European calendar, but there was something of a subdued air over the vast halls of Geneva’s Palexpo for the annual springtime car fest. Perhaps

recent happenings such as the PSA Group’s takeover of GM Opel/Vauxhall had everyone wondering what is going to happen to the brands within the expanded Franco-German partnership,

and the implications for the wider motor industry. Nonetheless there was still plenty to see. Fleet Car was there to check out the new metal.

Peugeot Double celebrations at the Peugeot stand as its new 3008 SUV carried off the prestigious Car of the Year award at the show. It is the fi rst sports utility vehicle to be honoured in this pan-European competition and marks the 21st honour for the French brand’s flagship. Pictured are Emma Toner, Head of Marketing & PR at Gowan Group and Des Cannon, MD Peugeot Ireland.

Alpine The famous French name has been reincarnated by parent company Renault.

Prior to the show, the fi rst images of the all new A110 two-seater sports car were revealed. Said to hark back to the compact, light and agile days of the original and successful ‘Berlinette’, the A110 features a full aluminium platform and upper body.

Audi Enter Q8, the new large SUV sport concept, powered by a 3.0 litre TFSI V6 engine with a mild hybrid system, displayed along with the new RS 5 Coupé, the Gran Turismo of RS models. Also sharing the spotlight was the latest Audi RS 3 Sportback with its new 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder engine that generates 400hp and develops a maximum 480Nm. Th is sporty compact takes 4.1 seconds from 0-100 km/h.

Citroën Introducing the C-Aircross Concept, another unique take on the company SUV from Citroën. It likes to be different, whatever the segment. Adapted from the latest C3, the C-Aircross features traditional front doors but with rearhinged doors at the back to open a really spacious cabin. Let’s hope that Citroën is still allowed to be as bold into the future now that GM Opel is under its parent’s wings.

DS Automobiles Citroën’s luxury brand DS was giving the all new DS7 Crossback an airing.

“It’s an SUV with a strong personality,” stated Th ierry Metroz, Director of Style, DS Automobiles. “DS7 Crossback is immediately recognisable by day or night.

It is muscular, charismatic and att ractive, DS 7 Crossback exudes power and poise through its design,” he added.

FIAT Without showing anything strikingly new, the Italian manufacturer marked the 68th anniversary of the iconic 500 with the X (SUV) version gett ing the S-Design treatment, as does the new Tipo 5-door.

The Fullback Cross is yet another concept of the original, while the Panda Natural Power promotes leadership in the field of bi-fuel petrol and Natural Gas powered vehicles.

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

REPORT | 15

Ford Get ready for an even more extended Fiesta family with a Vignale version to come, along with the next ST-generation line.

Both feature a vast array of gismos that before now were only specified in larger and more luxurious cars. Meanwhile, the ST gets 200PS from its 1.5 litre EcoBoost.

Honda At the Brussels Motor Show we saw the new Civic Type R, and at Geneva it was again displayed to a more global audience.

Alongside was the Clarity Fuel Cell family size car, while the NeuV is a city-based concept. Th is electric car features a socalled Emotion engine that can learn about the driver by detecting the emotion behind his/her judgements!

Hyundai With the new i30 hatch starting to leave Irish showrooms, Thomas A. Schmid, CEO, Hyundai Motor Europe, unveiling the new Tourer model, said that the European designed, developed, tested and manufactured car is Hyundai Motors’ DNA car in Europe. “The i30 is more than just a model, it is a family of cars and with the new i30 Tourer, we are now introducing the next body type.”

Jaguar Brexit or no Brexit, Jaguar is forging ahead with additions to its product portfolio.

Next up is the I-Pace concept, Jaguar’s first ever electric version. Designers are said to have torn up the conventional rulebook for EVs and created a 5-seater sports car and performance SUV in one! We’ll see!

Jeep Apart from special limited editions from its range of off-roaders and SUVs, Jeep showcased the all-new Compass, which, with its new look, slots in better with the brand’s modern, yet traditional profi le.

Such is the acceptance of the US status symbol in Europe, Jeep is now the third fastest-growing automotive marque in this continent.

Kia Boasting a brand-new exterior and interior, Kia elevates the city car concept with the all-new Picanto. It’s quieter, more spacious and has the largest boot in its class. Now more powerful than ever, the fi rst ever turbo charged petrol engine, the 1.0 litre T-GDi is now fitted. Sales in Europe start in Q2 2017.

Mazda Model year 2017 sees Mazda revamp a trio of its line-up with the all new CX-5, and latest CX-3 and Mazda2 joining in the fray to celebrate the company’s 50 th appearance at the annual show. The second generation CX-5 builds on the strengths of the EU’s best selling Mazda as the Japanese marque recorded four straight years of sales growth in Europe.

Mercedes-Benz The new Cabriolet is the fifth and youngest member of the E-Class family, all of which have been totally renewed within the past year.

When the soft-top is up, the styling and sleek shape is that of the E-Class Coupé.

It’s a four seater that comes with a chassis fabric soft top, unlike many of the newer Cabriolets that retain a metal hood. The show stopper however was the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept. www.fleetcar.ie

16 | REPORT

Mitsubishi A total Eclipse of the Mitsubishi! Eclipse is the new compact crossover that will compete in the C-SUV segment. Since 1917 Mitsubishi Motors has been building quality cars and has earned a strong reputation for its off-road pedigree. Eclipse Cross comes with a 2.2 litre diesel, mated to an 8-speed autobox.

Nissan To mark the 10th anniversary of the ultrasuccessful Qashqai, the key model for the Japanese brand has been refreshed with a sharper look and with even more technology. Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility System, which effectively is autonomous driving, has been installed for the fi rst time. Pictured alongside the latest Qashqai is Ponz Pandikuthira, Product Planner at Nissan.

Opel Timing in the car business is everything.

Alas the plan to premiere the all-new Insignia Grand Sport hatch had to take a step back in light of the announcement of GM Opel Europe’s takeover by PSA Group (Peugeot/ Citroën). When introduced into home markets the limelight will deservedly shine on this new D-segment car. Insignia Sports Tourer (Estate) and new Crossland X were there too. Pictured is Gillian Whittall, Head of Marketing & PR at Opel Ireland.

SEAT Under the Volkswagen Group’s ownership, the Spanish brand has gone from strength to strength after a somewhat shaky start.

The success of the Ibiza was key to that recognition, achieving significant sales increases. Now the fi ft h generation has arrived. Sharing some of the limelight was the latest Leon Cupra 300 and CUPRA Evo 17 (350 PS).

Škoda Fresh from its inaugural appearance at the Brussels Motor Show in January, the face-lifted Škoda Octavia will be joined by the performance vRS 245 version and all-wheel-drive Scout. Further additions to the much sought after Kodiaq and updates to other members of the Škoda clan were revealed. The new 1.0 litre TSI 3-cylinder petrol in the Fabia is noteworthy.

SsangYong The Korean manufacturer has been true to its word when it said that it would launch a series of new Sports Utilities year-onyear. Geneva was the stage sett ing for the reveal of the XALV concept undertaken by Johng-sik Choi, CEO of SsangYong Motor Company. It is said to be inspired by the classic Korando model from the 1990’s but is now classed as a mid-sized SUV.

Volkswagen The Arteon is the new upper premium replacement for the Passat CC, which was relatively successful when launched a few years ago. Th is car however is a five door and five-seater fastback. Six engines will deliver between 150 and 280 PS. Also unveiled was the Tiguan Allspace.

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

Volvo Another brand on a recent high is Volvo Cars and its latest model to be renewed is the XC60, featuring 3 advanced driver assistance systems. XC60 is the Swedish company’s best selling model and its replacement is said to be the safest in the world, all of which will help Volvo reach a target of 800,000 units globally by 2020.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleetcar.ie

Car

AWARDS 2018

Rewarding innovation in the Corporate Car Sector Date: Thursday 28 September 2017 - Venue: Citywest Hotel, Dublin.

18 | COMPARISON

Estate of Play: E-Class and V90 go Head to Head

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ack in the day when the choice of car was a saloon, hatchback or estate, the only reason you would opt for an estate would be for purely practical reasons. And when it came to cars with load-lugging capabilities, the choice invariably came down to a large Mercedes-Benz or Volvo.

There’s a broader choice these days, but the arrival in the past year of a new E-Class Mercedes-Benz and S90/V90 from Volvo has brought fresh impetus to the large car premium sector. Are they still the preferred options in this segment? We compare a Mercedes-Benz E220d Estate AMG against a Volvo V90 D4 Inscription AWD. Visually these are both good-looking cars that carry signature styling cues of their respective brands. Of the two, it’s the Volvo that catches the eye the most, the long bonnet and characteristic strong shoulders making this arguably the best looking car from the brand for a generation.

Inside it’s also hard to separate the two.

The E-Class has a classic Mercedes-Benz cabin, enhanced on our test car by a hightech dual-screen digital cockpit display (an eye-watering €5,721 optional extra). The V90 also has a wow-factor with its tablet screen fi rst seen on the XC90 dominating the centre display. The test car’s piece of extravagance is a Bowers & Wilkins optional sound system priced at €3,800.

Overall the Volvo’s cabin gets the nod, as much for how much it has improved over the old V70 as for any criticism of the E-Class.

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

That said, we’d prefer the ergonomics of the Mercedes-Benz overall. Much as the touchscreen on the Volvo looks great and is prett y intuitive to use, the fact that you have to reach out and physically touch the screen means taking your eyes off the road far too much in our opinion. The E-Class’s controller by your left hand minimises this in comparison.

Onto load space, and if that is the raison d’être of these cars, the E-Class wins hands down with a generous boot capacity of 640 litres. In comparison the V90 has a relatively measly 560 litres. Though even the Mercedes-Benz is trumped by the 660 litres of the Skoda Superb estate (source: Jato Dynamics).

On the road, both cars offer smooth effortless driving. Dynamically they are both very competent though neither offer the same driver feedback as the outgoing BMW 5-Series. Overall we felt that the E-Class was a litt le more composed over bumps, and it was also noted that the Volvo’s 8-speed automatic gearbox was not quite as intuitive at picking the right gear as the 9-speeder in the Mercedes-Benz.

HEAD TO HEAD Prices from Price as tested Engine CO2 Emissions Official Fuel Consumption Achieved Fuel Consumption 0-100 km/h

With cars in this price bracket you get a lot of tech, even if you have to pay for it. Comparing what was offered on the two cars highlighted some differences.

Both, for instance, had multi-beam LED automatic headlight dipping functionality, but whereas the version on the E-Class was the best we’ve ever tried, responding instantly to oncoming traffic, we had to turn off the function on the V90 as we were constantly being flashed by other cars.

Not that the Merc’s technology was perfect.

It featured a driving assist package that automatically adjusts the adaptive cruise control to the speed limit signs. Great, except that on a cross-country drive at night on single carriageway roads it kept resett ing the speed limit to 120 km/h rather than 100 km/h. Far from ideal.

Those glitches aside, these are two fabulously engineered machines that do a great job of combining practicality and prestige. The V90 proves that Volvo can offer a creditable alternative to the German brands. Overall though, we - just about give our nod to the E-Class. It’s as spacious as ever, oozes class, and is good to drive.

A fi rst among equals.

Mercedes-Benz E220d Estate Automatic AMG Exterior Pack €55,700 €69,691 (€77,434 less 10% promotional offer) 1,950cc, 194bhp, 400Nm 120 g/km Tax Band A4 4.6 l/100 km (61.4 mpg)

Volvo V90 D4 Inscription AWD €45,650 €78,273 1,969cc, 190bhp, 400Nm 119 g/km Tax Band A4 4.5 l/100km (62.7 mpg)

6.1 l/100 km (46.3 mpg)

6.8 l/100 km (41.5 mpg)

7.7. secs

8.5 secs Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

LAUNCH PAD I | 19

Tesla X marks the spot

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robably the most talked about new car brand in recent years is Tesla. The American company has created an immediate impact on its arrival into Europe. Packed with intuitive high-tech and an all-electric drivetrain, the fi rst example from the American newcomer was the S executive class hatch back. It sold well, but its high price point put it out of reach in the mainstream market.

Enter Model X with its interest catching wing doors, eloquently described by Pawel Trzpis, Sales Advisor, UK and Ireland for the brand as ‘Falcon doors’.

Being family orientated, Model X can accommodate up to seven passengers, with the third row of seats forward facing and folding. “Model X is the safest, fastest and most capable sports utility vehicle in history,” began Pawel in his explanatory presentation on the new SUV at Merrion Fleet’s HQ in Dublin. Merrion will be Tesla’s fleet management agent in Ireland.

“With all wheel drive and an 100 kWh battery pack providing 565 kilometres

of range, it’s ludicrously fast, accelerating from zero to 100 kilometres per hour as quick as 3.1 seconds.”

Central to the car’s whole operation is the large centre-dash 8.0” touchscreen, which Pawel describes as significantly more advanced than the original version fitted to the S. Functional updates to the Media Player, Autopilot, maps and trip planner will further enthuse the driving experience. With its floor mounted battery pack, the X’s low centre of gravity lends itself to an assured drive. The range includes the 75D, 90D, 100D and P100D. Pawel was confident in addressing any

concerns relating to any restrictions to the door openings as inbuilt sensors prevent any incidents in multi-story car parks, etc.

To make the new Model X even more affordable, Tesla is in the process of registering with SEAI for an electric vehicle grant of €5000 for private buyers and €3800 for commercial buyers. Tesla vehicles also receive €5000 deduction in Vehicle Registration Tax and low Motor Tax of €120 per annum, while commercial buyers are eligible for an Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme.

Jarlath Sweeney

Generation Seven BMW 5-series

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f the on average sixty new cars launched here each year, some are eagerly awaited, but few will be more so than the all-new BMW 5-series.

Th is seventh generation model range has a strong pedigree, some say, a tough act to follow. To date, over 7.5 million units have been sold over the 44 years of the 5-series.

Since 2010 alone in Ireland, there have been over 10,500 proud owners. From first reveal late last year, dealer showings has achieved huge interest, with order books fi lling up months before delivery began in the past few weeks.

Longer, taller, wider and with a wheelbase that now stretches beyond that of the 2001 7-series, most of the accomplishment is pertaining to the interior design, driving capabilities and driver assistance systems.

Even more refined than ever before, the new ‘5’ is lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient.

Again its top seller and segment leader will be the 520d SE priced from €52,800.

In all, 6 engines and 2 trim levels will be offered, with the M Sport spec likely to be much sought after. To come is the 530e iPerformance hybrid model with a 2.0 litre petrol and a small electric motor, capable of covering 46 kilometres in zero emission mode. It will be priced from €63,400.

At the official launch at Mondello Park, the new 5-series high tech systems were

demonstrated and sampled such as Remote Control Parking, Professional Navigation and other voice activated systems, all controlled through a 10.25” touchscreen and dial shaped cursor.

For the occasion, the full family line of 5-series was on display, thanks to a successful search campaign on social media conducted by BMW Ireland.

Jarlath Sweeney www.fleetcar.ie

20 | LAUNCH PAD II

Ford goes sporty with new ST-Line range

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ord has become the latest manufacturer to offer a sporty looking product line across a selection of its line-up. The ST-Line is a range of models that bear resemblance to Ford Performance vehicles, but with sensible and economical engines, won’t cost a fortune to buy or run.

Receiving the ST-Line treatment are the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Kuga. Each gets sport suspension, unique body kits and alloy wheel designs, sport seats, steering wheel and interior details. The exterior and interior designs are inspired by Ford’s Fiesta ST and Focus ST performance models.

Engine options include Ecoboost 1.0 litre

The Mondeo ST-Line is powered by 150 and 180 PS 2.0 TDCI diesels with prices starting from €34,295. Meanwhile the Kuga ST-Line is available with 1.5 litre 120 PS and 2.0 litre 150 PS diesels as well as a 150 PS 1.5 Ecoboost petrol engine. Prices start from €36,145.

petrol engines with power outputs of 100 and 125 PS for the Fiesta ST-Line. Prices start from €21,350.

The Focus ST-Line also gets the 125 PS Ecoboost as well as 120 PS 1.5 litre TDCi or a 2.0 litre TDCI 150 PS options. Prices from €24,875 for the petrol and €25,920 for the diesel.

“The new ST-Line range will offer customers a chance to enjoy the famous fun-to-drive characteristics and great looks of Ford’s performance models in an exciting and affordable package with a broad range of petrol and diesel engines,” said Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, speaking at the launch of the new models.

Jarlath Sweeney

Peugeot’s award winning new 3008 arrives

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here’s a great deal of anticipation surrounding the new Peugeot 3008, not least as it was recently announced as the European Car of the Year for 2017. And based on fi rst drive impressions, Peugeot has every reason to be optimistic about its new mid-sized crossover.

Styling is one reason. Th is is a smart looking car, which is unashamedly SUV in appearance, unlike its predecessor which fell into a half-way crossover / MPV trap.

Strong lines and signature lighting give it a distinctive look.Then there’s the interior which boasts the latest generation Peugeot iCockpit with wrap-around styling and

gearbox options.

Five trim levels are offered including a new top of the range GT Line which matches sporty styling and a high quality cabin with normal engines. For those wanting real performance, there’s also a GT model with 2.0 litre 180PS diesel. digital instruction. It’s got quite a wow factor when you fi rst sit in it, and controls - generally - are intuitive and fall easy to hand, though you might need a litt le familiarisation at fi rst.

Power comes via 1.2 and 1.6 litre petrol engines and 1.6 and 2.0 litre diesels available with manual or EAT6 automatic

Prices range from €25,995 for the Access 1.2 litre petrol up to €44,395 for the GT model with Automatic Grip Control. The expected best selling trim, the Allure with120bhp 1.6 HDi and manual gearbox retails at €31,995.

Cathal Doyle

Subtle yet significant changes to new Audi A5 Sportback

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udi’s A5 in 5-door Sportback layout is a popular choice amongst user chooser company car buyers, offering coupé styling without losing much in the way of practicality. A new generation model has gone on sale alongside the two door A5 Coupé with prices starting from €48,440.

As is the norm from Audi, styling is a gentle evolution of the original A5. Underneath though it’s all new, as the new car sits on the same MLB Evo architecture as last year’s A4.

Significantly it is up to 85kg lighter than its predecessor.

Engines are up to 17% more powerful than

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

before, with a definite focus on petrol.

There’s just one diesel - a 2.0 litre TDI with 190 PS being offered at launch on the fleetfriendly A5 Sportback. Meanwhile a 1.4 litre 150 PS TFSI kicks off the petrol range, with 2.0 litre units offering 190 and 252 PS outputs also offered. They are available as a manual or with S-Tronic transmission, and with FWD or Quattro all-wheel drive.

Offered in two trim levels, SE and S-Line, SE trim features a completely redesigned MMI Navigation system and a host of driver assistance systems such like Audi pre-sense city standard. S-Line trim includes LED headlights and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The impressive Audi virtual cockpit and head-up display is available as an option.

Compared to the last model, rear seat passengers have more than decent head and legroom, though the back seat is best suited for two rather than three persons.

The boot, boasting 480 litre s of luggage space, is also sufficiently large to cater for most needs.

Cathal Doyle

LAUNCH PAD III | 21

Civic reception for new Honda in fleet sector

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uyers in the fleet sector are about to take a new look at the latest generation Honda Civic.

Although the previous incarnation of the popular hatch was a main player in the C-segment, the tenth generation, due to its extra dimensions, now stretches into the fringes of the D-segment. Therefore, with its size (it’s wider (+30mm), lower (-20%) and longer (+130mm), with 30mm added to its wheelbase), price and value, plus the individuality it brings, the Honda Civic will appeal to the corporate sector like never before.

For now Honda introduces two all-new VTEC turbo petrol engines - 1.0 litre and 1.5 litre with a redeveloped 1.6 litre diesel

to follow in the autumn. With a renewed focus on petrol, these two powerplants provide noteworthy performance, achieving highly competitive fuel economy and efficiency. The 3 cylinder 1.0 litre delivers 129 PS/200Nm, with the 1.5 litre 4 cylinder unit producing 180PS/240Nm. Both come with either 6 speed manual or CVT automated gearboxes.

Inside, the flush centre console features Honda Connect, an interactive 7” touch screen with a multitude of connectivity elements including integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Honda’s ‘Sensing’ suite of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies include Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, Blind Spot and Cross Traffic Monitors.

Prices begin at €23,759 for the 1.0 i-TECH 120 Smart while the 1.5 iTECH 180 range starts at €28,550 and extends to €32,550.

Jarlath Sweeney

Prius gets plugged-in

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oyota has added to its hybrid capabilities with the arrival in June this year of a plug-in version of the fourth generation Prius.

It offers rather impressive official CO2 emissions figure of just 22 g/km, and a fuel consumption figure of 1.0 litres per 100km (283mpg). A driving range in excess of 50km on pure electric power should be possible says Toyota, while a 43 litre tank enables longer journeys to be completed without range anxiety.

It’s fitted with the same 1.8 litre 122 PS petrol engine as the regular Prius but instead of a relatively compact 1.31kWh

nickel-metal-hydride battery, comes with a lithium-ion version with a capacity of 8.8kWh. It’s also faster to charge - 2 hours with a fast charge connector, or 3 hours 10 minutes using a standard plug socket.

It features different styling to the regular Prius with LED adaptive headlights and different grille and bumper, while the

signature vertical tail lights of the regular car are replaced with a more conventional horizontal design. To save weight, it’s also the first production car to boast a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) tailgate.

Unlike the regular Prius, there’s only room for two in the back thanks to the bigger battery, while boot capacity drops significantly from 501 litres to 360 litres.

It’s also heavier by some 130kg, with much of that extra weight concentrated in the back of the car.

Toyota Ireland has yet to finalise prices and specs, but expect three grade levels and a starting price in the region of €37,000.

Cathal Doyle

Kia’s new more spacious Rio

A

new Kia Rio which has gone on sale boasts one of the most spacious cabins in its class, and significant improvements in NVH reduction and sound-proofi ng.

Warning System meaning this model is likely to achieve a higher Euro NCAP crash test rating when tested compared to models without ADAS.

Longer but lower than its predecessor, front seat passengers get an extra 1,070mm of legroom, while in the back, legroom is 850mm more generous than before. A boot capacity of 325 litres is also generous for a car in this segment.

€15,950), EX – expected to be the volume seller (€18,150), EX ADAS (€19,450) and Platinum (€20,450).

Six models are available at launch. An 85hp 1.2 litre petrol engine will be followed later in the year by a 100hp 1.0 litre unit.

Trim levels for petrol are L (priced at

EX ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) models are fitted with a safety pack that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure

A 1.4 diesel engine in two power outputs is also available. The 77hp version is offered in LX trim priced at €17,750, while EXE models get a 90hp unit that costs €19,950.

CO2 emission figures for the 1.2 petrol are 109g/km (annual road tax of €190), while the diesels output 92 and 98 g/km (€180 pa).

Cathal Doyle www.fleetcar.ie

22 | LAUNCH PAD IV

Alfa’s Giulia Renaissance

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wo beautiful original Giulias (and an iconic Spyder) parked outside Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow on the day of the launch of the all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia highlighted the wonderful heritage of the Italian brand, and why so many people are willing this new compact executive car to be a success.

First impressions are good. The Giulia not only looks stunning, appears to be well put together, and has a genuine premium feel, but it also drives very nicely, with pin-sharp handling and steering, and a fi rm yet comfortable ride.

of 109 g/km in particular will fit the company car driver’s requirement. They are complemented by a 200 bhp 2.0 litre petrol engine. The 180 bhp diesel we drove at launch certainly isn’t lacking in performance. Interestingly Alfa is only offering the car with 8-speed auto transmission. It’s a good unit though, and suits the characteristics of the car.

A range topping 510 bhp Quadrifoglio version is a genuine challenger to the likes of the BMW M3 and Audi RS4, but more down to earth models are likely to interest fleet as well as private buyers.

A brace of all-aluminium 2.2 litre diesels with 150 and 180 bhp, and CO2 emissions

Offered in two trims (in addition to Quadrifoglio) prices start from €39,995 for the 150 bhp diesel, making the Giulia competitively priced against rivals, and offering the premium car buyer something different from the run of the mill.

Cathal Doyle

Suzuki’s Ignis offers cross-segment appeal

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uzuki’s new Ignis may be officially a compact A-Segment car, but its surprising spaciousness means it may well appeal to buyers across a number of segments. Not least because of its distinctive styling, which marries city car compactness and manoeuvrability with SUV styling.

Power is via a 90bhp 1.2 litre four cylinder Dualjet petrol unit, which is also available in tandem with a mild hybrid. Th is SVHS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) model incorporates an Integrated Starter Generator (which acts as both a generator and starter motor) and lithium-ion battery under the passenger seat.

extensions giving it an off-road look. It’s priced at €14,495. The top of the range SZ5, priced at €16,495 features such niceties as LED headlights, keyless start/ entry, full air-con, cruise control and a Driving Assist System.

Th ree model trims are offered with the entry level SZ3 available at €12,995.

With that you get a DAB radio, Bluetooth and air-con as standard. The SZ-T adds a 505:50 split sliding rear seat, roof arches, 16” alloys, a navigation system and rear view camera as well as wheel arch

A manual automatic gearbox is offered on the SZ-T and SZ5 for a premium of €1,500, while the same money again will get you Allgrip traction – it’s only offered on the SZ5 with mild hybrid power.

Available at launch is a special offer of €350 worth of fuel, or 3 years’ free servicing.

Cathal Doyle

Mazda refines CX-5

A

new Mazda CX-5, which goes on sale here in the second half of the year, gets sharper styling thanks to a longer bonnet, more pointy headlights, and an extended grille. It’s also 35 mm lower. A new signature colour - Soul Red Crystal is an evolution of the Soul Red metallic paint that’s familiar across the Mazda model range,

The cabin can match many of the German premium brands for quality. Notably there are new more comfortable seats, a new 7” infotainment display unit, a HeadsUp Display and Power tailgate opening.

Redesigned air vents and trim strips across the length of the dash give a classy and up-to-date appearance.

FLEETCAR | Spring 2017

when you turn into and accelerate out of corners.

2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engines with 150 or 175 PS, and a normally aspirated 2.0 petrol unit with 165 PS are largely the same as before. There’s a choice of six-speed manual or auto gearboxes, and front wheel drive or Mazda’s i-ACTIV AWD system.

Mazda has focused on improving onroad refi nement, specifically reducing wind and road noise, while there are also enhancements to handling with the new CX-5 gaining G-Vectoring Control, technology. It offers a smoother driving experience by adjusting torque levels

Specs and prices haven’t been finalised yet, but expect an increase over the current CX-5’s starting price of €27,995 - though you will be gett ing more equipment as standard for your money.

Cathal Doyle

TRANSPORT www.fleettransportawards.com

Engaging Connectivity

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Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. Fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 35.3 (8.0) – 68.9 (4.1), Extra Urban 58.9 (4.8) – 85.6 (3.3), Combined 34.4 (8.2) – 156.9 (1.8). CO2 Emissions 215 – 48g/km. All new Volvo cars come with a 3 year warranty and 2 years’ roadside assistance.