IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE
Volume 13. No. 1. Spring 2014
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Geneva Motor Show 2014 - Review & Pictures Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2014 - Shortlist announced Honda CR-V 1.6 iDTEC achieves Record Fuel Economy Plus Launch Pad, Test Drives & Safety Forum Report
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Contents Spring 2014 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 Contributors: Paul White, ACFO
4 News • Advice on driving for work • New car registrations on the up • Fleet managers warned on risks • Do you eat behind the wheel? PLUS Junction Box 6 Interview With Cian O’Brien, Director, SEAT Cars Ireland 8 Report International Road Safety Conference, Dublin
www.fleetcar.ie | 3 20 Review 84th Geneva Motor Show 22 Fuel Run Record return from the Honda 1.6 iDTEC 24 Launch Pad • Honda Civic Tourer • Citroën Grand C4 Picasso • SEAT Leon ST • Audi A8 • Peugeot 308 • Volvo D4 engines 26 Tests Opel Insignia • Audi A3 Saloon
11 Contenders Shortlist announced for Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2014
28 Motorsport First drive in the Ford Ranger Dakar Pick-Up
15 Advancedrive Diagnostics
30 Fleeting Shots Pen Pics from the automotive industry
Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Paul White, Autostyle, Conor Blundell, Newspress, Gary Parravani Xynamic. com, Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Vahey, Paula Mullarkey Advertising: Mary Morrissey Design: Eamon Wynne
P22
P6 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.
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.
www.fleetcar.ie
4 | NEWS I
Driving for Work - Are you covered? *Advancedrive’s new software helps employers address Duty of Care for Drivers
H
aving provided customised driver training across Ireland for over 15 years, Sligo based Advancedrive recently launched unique soft ware to help employers adhere to their responsibility under Health & Safety legislation to protect the safety of all employees who drive for work. Known as 'Advancedrive Diagnostics' the soft ware has been designed by experts in driver education and provides employers with a cost effective solution to address their 'duty of care' obligations under current legislation, while also improving driving performance and safety of all employees who drive for work. Both employers and employees will benefit significantly from using Advancedrive Diagnostics in areas such as driver fatigue, stress management, in-vehicle distractions and speeding. “Advancedrive Diagnostics provides an excellent quality and cost efficient solution for those organisations who want to fulfil their duty of care to employees who drive for work,” commented Mark Dodd, Managing Director at Advancedrive.
mandatory and elective modules, which address areas of weakness, educate the driver to lessen the risk and fulfi l the employer’s duty of care. Advancedrive Diagnostics can be accessed wherever a computer and broadband is available and can create awareness of some of the key risks that are faced or created while driving for work “The programme software also provides the employer with a robust audit trail and comprehensive driver risk profile for each individual employee. Allowing employers to manage their duty of care for drivers more efficiently; provide driving risk reduction systems to all employees, contractors and agencies,” added Mark. For more information on the Advancedrive Diagnostics, contact Mark Dodd on 086 2511402 or visit its website to download the brochure on; htt p://www.advancedrive.ie/
This interactive training programme comprises a three stage process which is completed online by each employee. Following individual assessment, the software identifies areas of risk and generates a customised educational programme - consisting of
New Car Registrations continue to increase across EU +6.6% over two months; +8.0% in February
D
emand for new passenger cars in the EU increased for the sixth consecutive month, with a rise of 8.0% in registrations recorded in February. However, according to figures released by ACEA, the European Association for the Automotive Industry, the total of 861,058 new units registered marked the second lowest result to date for a month of February since ACEA began the series in 2003 with the enlarged EU. The good news for the European automotive industry was that as and from January to February 2014, new passenger car registrations increased by 6.6%, totalling 1,796,787 units. In February, France was the only major market to face a downturn (-1.4%) as all other significant markets contributed positively to the overall 8.0% expansion of the European
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Union market, with growth ranging from +3.0% in the UK, +4.3% in Germany, +8.6% in Italy to +17.8% in Spain. Two months into the year, most major markets posted growth contributing to the overall 6.6% upturn of the EU market. Demand for new passenger cars increased by 5.7% in Germany, 6.0% in Italy, 6.1% in the UK and 13.1% in Spain. France (-0.5%) was the only significant market where new passenger car registrations declined in this period.
Bridgestone tightens its grip on Tyre Table The fortunes of the tyre industry are closely tied to those of the auto sector. Though lacking the glamour of Pirelli (brand value US$1.8 billion) with its headline sponsorships, or the gravitas of Michelin (US$4.7 billion) with its respected guides, Bridgestone continues to be the world’s most valuable tyre brand. It has extended its lead with brand value growth of over a billion dollars, reaching a total of US$5.6 billion. Bridgestone had its brand rating upgraded to AA+, on a par with Michelin and ahead of Continental (AA) and Goodyear (AA-).
New BMW Group Ireland MD Paulo A lves has been appointed Managing Director of BMW Group Ireland effective from 1 May 2014. He succeeds John Ives who will take over the role of General Manager, BMW Group Academy UK, which is located in Wokefield Park, Berkshire. Paulo is a Chartered Engineer and joined the BMW Group in 1997. He spent the fi rst 10 years in engineering delivering projects including Range Rover, MINI Hatch and MINI Convertible. Paulo joined BMW UK in May 2007 and has had a number of different roles including Market Intelligence Planning and Strategy Manager before taking up his current role in BMW Marketing as General Manager, Marketing Communications, in August 2010.
Peugeot 308 Voted Car of the Year 2014 The new Peugeot 308 was voted “Car of the Year 2014” at the 84th Geneva Motor Show, by a jury of 58 journalists, representing 22 European countries. A total of 30 new models from American, Korean, European and Japanese manufacturers, which went on sale in Europe during 2013, were eligible for the Car of the Year 2014 award. The jury delivered its verdict at the PalExpo on the seven fi nalist models, pre-selected in December. The fi nal votes were: Peugeot 308 - 307; BMW i3 - 223; Tesla Model S - 216; Citroën C4 Picasso - 182; Mazda3 - 180; Skoda Octavia - 172; and MercedesBenz S-Class - 170.
NEWS II | 5
Fleets warned to be careful on risk categorisation of drivers Bosch brings the internet into the car Bosch is networking vehicles and revolutionising mobility as cars and their surroundings will soon be interacting. Over the next few years, the car will revolutionised as Bosch is making cars an active part of the internet - and bringing drivers a range of benefits. “A connected car is always going to be a better car,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, the member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH with responsibility for the Automotive Group. Bosch is pursuing three strategic objectives with respect to connectivity. Firstly, Bosch is making the internet an intuitive in-car experience. Secondly, Bosch is connecting cars to the internet and creating driver assistance functions with added value. And fi nally, Bosch is networking cars with traffic infrastructure.
C
ompanies that automatically place their at-work drivers as ‘high risk’ due to acquiring penalty points on their licence, a recent accident or even because they haven’t had their eyes tested should look carefully at their assessment process, reports the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO). According to Graham Hurdle, Managing Director of online risk assessment and e-driver training specialists E-Training World, such a simplistic approach may seem logical but rarely categorises drivers correctly. “We often come across companies who undertake risk assessments but fi nd that their drivers have been classed as ‘high risk’ based on one or two opening questions,” explained Graham. “By stating that they fall into certain categories, such as points on their licence or not having had their eyes tested in the last year, causes some systems to instantly mark that driver as high risk and, subsequently, put them forward for on-road training. The reality is that genuinely ‘high risk’ drivers are less safe on our roads due to factors such as poor hazard perception skills, a lack of observation, poor knowledge and a bad
att itude. Put it this way, would you feel more or less safe in a car driven by someone with three points on their licence but otherwise seemed to be driving perfectly okay than someone who you constantly thought wasn’t noticing dangerous hazards and had litt le idea of what road signs meant?” By pushing either the wrong drivers into a ‘high risk’ category, or too many drivers, has numerous negative implications. “Not only are you focusing additional training on the wrong people,” said Mr Hurdle, “you are also overspending on defensive driver training. In fact if more than 10-15% of your fleet drivers are coming out ‘high risk’ I would challenge why. “In addition, you are also in danger of disengaging your drivers from the overall duty of care process, because many perfectly good drivers who are being told they are ‘high risk’ and require training feel aggrieved and then blame the risk process. Th is develops into negative in-house publicity and can lead to a large majority of drivers not buying into a very important area for any fleet department.”
Take time out to enjoy lunch, as 60% admit eating at the wheel Toyota is the Car in Front Toyota has strengthened its status as the world’s most valuable auto manufacturer according to brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance. Impressive growth of 34% means Toyota’s brand is now worth US $34.9 billion ahead of BMW (US$29bn) and Volkswagen (US$27bn) in its Brand Finance Auto 100 table. Audi, which has just revealed its new TT coupe at the Geneva Motor Show saw its brand value move up 30% to US$7 billion. Jeep’s latest crossover model, the Renegade, has increased its brand value to over US$2.5 billion. Brands valued for the fi rst time include Maserati (US$693m), which presented its Alfieri coupe concept, Lamborghini (US$677m) which unveiled the Huracan, which will replace the outgoing Gallardo and Tesla (US$1.2bn) whose share price is soaring as it forges a reputation as perhaps the only credible electric car brand.
D
rivers are being urged to take a break and enjoy their food away from their vehicles, as road safety charity Brake and Direct Line reveal more than six in ten (62%) have eaten at the wheel in the past year. Three in ten (29%) unwrapped food themselves at the wheel - a telling symptom of busy lifestyles putting lives at risk. Studies have suggested eating a meal at the wheel increases a driver’s risk of a devastating crash as much as talking on a phone. The numbers of UK drivers eating at the wheel reflects a wider trend towards eating on the move, as lifestyles become ever more fast-paced, stated the road safety charity. Drivers in Britain have been found to spend more on food eaten on the move than any other country in Europe, with the nation’s continental neighbours more likely to take time out to enjoy meals.
attempt to multi-task at the wheel are two to three times more likely to crash, and complex tasks like unwrapping and eating a burger increase the risk. Brake advises that all drivers should give the road their full attention and save any other activities for regular breaks, which should be at least every two hours on long journeys. “Driving is the most complicated and risky thing most of us do on a regular basis, so it is vital we give it our full and undivided attention; we can’t afford to treat our cars as an extension of our kitchen or bathroom. Eating at the wheel often means taking your eyes, hands and mind off the road and dramatically increases your chances of crashing and killing or seriously injuring someone. Drivers need to take regular breaks and make time away from their vehicles to enjoy lunch or perform other tasks,” explained Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive, Brake. ACFO
Brake and Direct Line’s survey also shows that it is not just meal times being squeezed by busy lifestyles, as one in five drivers (20%) admit to doing their hair, applying make-up or otherwise tidying up their appearance while at the wheel. Additionally, one in 20 (5%) admit doing so in free-flowing traffic, risking crashes. Eating at the wheel is part of the wider problem of distracted drivers and believed to contribute to around one in five crashes (22%). Drivers who www.fleetcar.ie
6 | INTERVIEW
One-to-One
have, such as the Leon Experience which is an all-road type version of the Leon Sports Tourer. In the not too distant future you can expect to see an A-Segment SUV, which [is important] if you think about market shares in Ireland. For example Kia – over 60% of their total volume is Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, again is quite a high volume [for them], with over 50%, so the arrival of such a vehicle will bolster our market share quite significantly overnight. The key strategy for us is to provide excellent customer service but also with the products that we do have, get people behind the wheel so that they can actually see the quality for themselves, maximise the opportunity within that, and then when the A-SUV emerges on our shores we’ve a really good opportunity to grow exponentially.
with Cian O'Brien, Director, SEAT Cars Ireland with Cathal Doyle cathal@fleet.ie CD Firstly, congratulations on the launch of the new SEAT Leon Cupra. Obviously it’s a niche model but how important is it for SEAT to have a halo car like that in your line up? CO’B First of all in terms of the Cupra itself, it essentially is a car that is the crowning glory of the Leon family and that really is where the significance lies. The car as it comes out is our high performance version of the Leon and it just caps the update we’ve had from the Leon range. We had the 5 door last year, along with the Sports Coupe. We’ve just launched the fantastic Sports Tourer and now we have the high performance hot hatch, the Leon Cupra. CD Can you just give us a little bit of information about the car? CO’B The cars that we saw today, there are two variants in terms of engine, two body variants, it comes in 3 and 5 door variants, the Sports Coupe and the 5 door. There is an engine choice between a 265 brake and a 280 brake, if you choose to go to that level. Price wise the car is coming in at €33,700 and the 280 brake with DSG is very well priced at just under €37,500. CD You’ve had a very good 2013, I think the 3% market share is your highest for a number of years. 2014 is also starting well. How will you continue to grow the SEAT brand in Ireland? CO’B Yes, thank you for that. We have had a very good year. Our growth at 2013 over 2012 was actually 62% and the 3% market share was actually the highest we ever achieved. Th is year we are seeing the figures on 2013 up 20% which is really encouraging. Some of that factor of course is the macroeconomic situation where the market seems to be coming back to some extent which is really positive. However, for brands like ours there’s a lot more under the skin in terms of what’s driving it. As we’ve just talked about, the product is the key one, with the new Leon range making a significant impact. We have 6 products or 6 different vehicles all of which are in the top 10 within their segments which is very positive from our perspective. We brought in a number of new dealer partners as well in prett y high profi le locations, for example McCoys in Lucan and also Cranleys on the Naas Road which is increasing our visibility in Dublin. We have also put a new dealer into Cork city, until FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
4 months ago there was no dealer in the city. I’m glad to say those guys are actually seeing good results and doing good volume for us. In addition to that we’ve changed our approach to marketing, we’re much more visible in the market place. We’re working on sponsorships such as Munster Rugby which again is raising brand awareness and drawing people to the product which is what it’s all about. CD One of the questions that’s frequently raised about SEAT is where you fit in within the Volkswagen Group. What defines SEAT and where do you see the brand within the organisation? CO’B I think what was highlighted in the Design Centre was the passion that was behind the Leon range and how we have our own identity. Of course, working within the Volkswagen Group, has benefits as well in terms of shared platform. Skoda has pushed, and is pushing towards the volume premium segment and is following a pricing strategy accordingly, which creates an opportunity for us to compete in the true volume segment and the value offering. We do have some anomalies in there in terms of our FR range, which are att racting customers who are driving more performance orientated cars. Again, just to touch on that Cupra, I’m very pleased to say that that car was the fastest car around the Nurburgring for front wheel drive, and it’s great to see that its going to take the GTI in that respect so very pleased about that. CD Looking at your model line up, compared to some other brands, it’s quite compact. What can you tell us about forthcoming models within SEAT? CO’B Well, where we are right now, and again we’ve talked about growth driven by Leon, we have a lot of products that are working well for us – the Mii, the Toledo, the Alhambra which are going particularly well, but you’re right we have a compact range offering. What you’re going to see in the very short term future is a number of different derivatives in relation to the range that we
CD Is the fleet car market in Ireland important to SEAT and how do you plan to grow that market, it so? CO’B The fleet market is important to us and we have a dedicated fleet resource in the fleet team in SEAT Ireland which is something we didn’t have for the last number of years. The Leon Sports Tourer in particular and the Toledo give us an opportunity to operate in that segment and we’re also developing products that not only work in the true fleet segment, you know your traditional corporate element but also through fi nance offers that will work for customers who are gone back from a scheme and are now on a car loan. We’re working hard to capitalise on that because for SEAT the fleet game it’ll be a smaller volume at the start but once the quality is realised and customers see the products we have then we’ll grow that quite quickly so that’s what we’re looking at right now. CD What about the D Segment, you’ve had the Exeo, is there any plans to replace it? CO’B Not right now and I think if we’re reflecting on the Exeo experience, I think we will have to be honest and say it wasn’t as successful as we liked and I think that’s something that has been acknowledged at SEAT SA in terms of you know taking older technologies that the other brands have already (if you like) utilised is not the right approach for us and again, today we saw from the Design Center that not only is SEAT involved in R&D for its own products, you know having designed the Q5, the Q3 is built in Martorell for Audi. We have the capabilities, we have the skill set. What’s interesting is that the Leon is now attributing to growth globally, again our figures globally are up 11% on last year and what that means is fi nancially for SEAT we’ll start to see those returns is really what you need in terms of the green light to move projects forward like the A SUV and who knows from there where the future will take us – I’m sure it will be positive.
8 | REPORT
Dangers of Mobile Phone use highlighted at Road Safety Conference
M
obile phone use and children were highlighted as the biggest causes of distraction to drivers, an International Road Safety Conference in Dublin organized by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) heard. The theme of the conference, which was opened by RSA Chairman Gay Byrne and included a speech from Transport Minister Leo Varadkar T.D., was Driver Distraction. Figures indicate that 20-30% of all road collisions are at least partly caused by driver attention being diverted from driving, with distractions including eating, drinking, and reaching for objects as well as dealing with children and mobile phone use. With surveys indicating that around one third of drivers revealing they talk on a hands-free phone when driving, and one in seven admitt ing to using hand-held phones, the continuing rise in the use of smartphones is adding to the problem due to the increased functionality these phones offer. And while talking on a hands-free device is perceived to be much safer than via a handheld device, research is increasingly suggesting that this isn’t the case. Attendees heard from a variety of experts from around the world. In a presentation looking at what defi nes driver distraction, Professor John D. Lee from the Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin commented that drivers have less hazard awareness when using phones. “You don’t get good feedback about distractions” he observed. Part of the problem is that drivers don’t get feedback about this lack of observation, said Professor Lee, and highlighted some research done with teenage drivers, where event triggered video feedback resulted in a drop of 80% in incidents once the drivers had been made aware of their risky driving behaviour. Professor Lee was in two minds about the rapid development of incar technology, noting that it offers promise, while also threatening drivers by offering increased distractions from the critical principles of keeping eyes, hands and mind on driving at all times. Although only 7% of drivers admit to texting while driving, it is seen as a major concern, particularly amongst younger drivers. Drivers spend up to 400% more time with their eyes off the road when text messaging, and their ability to maintain lateral position on the road and to detect and respond appropriately to traffic signs is significantly reduced. On this topic, Michelle Kucklemann, Executive Director – Integrated Brand Marketing, Management & Advertising at US telecommunications giant AT&T talked about that company’s initiatives to end texting and driving. Describing it as a movement, she said that for it to be successful, it has to reach the right tension points. These include addressing the pressure to answer a text. A hard-hitt ing television campaign with the simple message ‘It can wait’ centered on drivers who had been in accidents while texting and asked the simple question – was that last text worth it? Recognising the need to reach to young people, Ms Kucklemann noted that other aspects of the campaign have been to make it shareable by means of online messaging and a simple emblem with the ‘It Can Wait’ message, as well as making it personal and with a connection to people. Many of AT&T’s direct competitors as well as their business partners have embraced the campaign. A 7.8% reduction in accidents can be att ributed to the campaign, corresponding to 32,000 accidents, said Ms. Kucklemann.
the brain is unable to process everything so it decides where to focus, using shortcuts to process some information and ‘guess’ the rest. Multisensory signals from the same part of the brain are best to alert drivers in danger situations, Professor Spence, who has worked with manufacturers like Toyota and BMW to look at what neuroscience can do for vehicle design and safety, said that 80-90% of our driving input is visual, and if you can give a driver a visual warning of danger it can save four tenths of a second in reaction time, enough to reduce rear-end collisions by up to 60% Volvo has long had a reputation for developing safe vehicles, and Dr. Claudia Wege, Human Factors Specialist at Volvo talked about the company’s efforts to promote safer attention in drivers though a) safety systems, and b) driver behaviour. Using a feedback model dubbed DOIT-BEST, Volvo is developing advanced driver assistance systems such as its Visual Distraction Alert System. Th is monitors the driver’s face, and if his/her behaviour is wrong (for instance, not looking ahead), it will issue feedback via an audio alert. Side by side with this is the ongoing development of pre-crash systems such as collision warning and lane change support. Finally Francesco Mitis, Technical Officer, Violence & Injury Prevention Programme at the World Health Organisation outlined that institution’s efforts to improve road safety worldwide. Improving data collection from some countries is a priority, as is enacting legislation on mobile phone use, and better public awareness campaigns. The next WHO status report on improving global road safety due in 2015 will focus on the changes in legislation since 2013.
Providing a cerebral analysis of motoring behaviours, Professor Charles Spence, Experimental Psychologist & Head of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford University looked at how the brain processed information when driving. When faced with distracting situations, FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie
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CONTENDERS | 11
17 Brands contest the 2014 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards
N
ow in its third year, the 2014 running of the Motorcheck. ie Fleet Car Awards sees 17 car manufacturers contest 8 category prizes. As Ireland’s only extensive car awards programme for the corporate sector, two new categories have been added for 2014, a C-Segment Premium and a Crossover Class (for compact SUVs). “The reason being that the fleet/company car driver has become more of a ‘user chooser’ due to the increased number of options now available from the employer,” commented Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor, Fleet Car magazine, organisers and media partners for the annual awards. From the original Long List of over 100 eligible cars, the expert adjudication panel, consisting of members of the corporate car leasing industry and representatives from the fleet and fi nancial sectors, has fi nalised a Shortlist of contenders. Th is fi nal list of 38 cars will now go head-to-head over a two day appraisal programme which will examine and test each vehicle from a performance, financial and practicality perspectives. “Marks will also be given to the brand’s fleet strategy parallel to the car’s styling, quality, equipment, safety,
residuals, etc. Aftersales back-up is another important element for consideration,” added Cathal. The winning car in each of the 8 separate categories will be announced at the 2014 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards & Safety Forum presentation to be held in May. “The shortlist brings together an interesting line-up of contenders this year with the introduction of the Crossover category bringing in brands that are keen on increasing business in the fleet sector,” stated Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor at Fleet Car Magazine. Michael Rochford, recently appointed Managing Director at Motorcheck.ie said, “We are once again pleased to be associated with the third running of these awards and don’t envy the nine member adjudication panel in having to select the best from the shortlisted finalists just announced. Last year, Volkswagen, Mazda, Skoda and Audi were the main winners, so we will have to see if these brands can retain their respective category crowns or make way for others, therefore another close competition is assured.”
Pictured at the launch of the 2014 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards at Carton House, Maynooth were Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Car and John Courage, Motorcheck.ie
www.fleetcar.ie
12 | CONTENDERS - SHORTLIST
C-SEGMENT
Honda Civic
Hyundai i30
Mazda3
Volkswagen Golf
Kia ceeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d
C-SEGMENT Premium
Audi A3 (saloon)
Mercedes-Benz CLA
Volvo V40
D-SEGMENT
Ford Mondeo
Hyundai i40
Opel Insignia
Peugeot 508
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Mazda6
Toyota Avensis
CONTENDERS - SHORTLIST | 13
D-SEGMENT Premium
Audi A4
BMW 3 Series
Volkswagen CC
Volvo S60
CROSSOVER
Ford Kuga
Hyundai ix35
Kia Sportage
Mazda CX5
Nissan Qashqai
Opel Mokka
ESTATE
Hyundai i40 Tourer
Mazda6 Tourer
SEAT Leon ST
Skoda Octavia Combi
Opel Insignia Sports Tourer
www.fleetcar.ie
14 | CONTENDERS - SHORTLIST
ESTATE Premium
BMW 3 Series Touring
BMW 5 Series Touring
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
Volvo V60
EXECUTIVE
Audi A6
Audi A7
BMW 5 Series
Lexus GS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Volvo S80
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
15
DIAGNOSTICS Improving Standards :: Changing Attitudes
Advancedrive diagnostics is a flexible, online driver assessment and education programme which assists employers to fulfill their duty of care obligation under Health and Safety legislation.
www.advancedrivediagnostics.ie
www.fleetcar.ie
Advancedrive Diagnostics is an on-line Driver Assessment and Education Programme. The flexible cost effective Advancedrive Diagnostics programme has been developed and designed by industry experts in driver education. Established in 1998, Advancedrive is providing customised driver training solutions to a diverse range of both public and private sector clients both nationally and internationally. Advancedrive’s mission is to provide high quality customer focused driver training programmes that deliver a positive change in attitudes which result in safer driving practices.
One person can manage any size workforce from any computer, anyw here in the world.
What is ‘Driving for Work’? Driving for Work – Employer’s Duty of Care (Health and Safety Authority HSA) Health and Safety legislation requires employers to ensure proper measures are in place to protect the safety of all employees who drive for work. Driving for work includes any person who drives on a road as part of their work either in: U
A vehicle provided by their employer; or
U
Their own vehicle and receives an allowance or payment from their employer for distances driven.
Employer Responsibility U
Duty of care: you must take measures to ensure that work-related journeys are safe, members of staff are able to drive safely, and all vehicles and associated equipment are fit for use. You should also be aware of your duty towards the safety of other road users and pedestrians affected by your drivers.
U
Information, instruction, and training: you should give your employees proper information and training to protect their safety, health, and welfare.
U
Safe systems of work: you must put in place proper systems of work such as documented safe systems of work for securing vehicle loads. You must have a safety statement that identifies all possible hazards, assesses risks to your employees, and provides adequate controls to minimize risk.
Key Facts In a recent 2012 survey by An Garda Síochána, Health and Safety Authority and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) Survey on Employer Driving for Work Management Practices found
67%
84%
47%
67% claimed company employees had not received any training in relation to driving for work
84% of businesses stated that no training was planned over the next 12 months
47% had no policies or procedures in place in relation to work related road safety
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
How does Advancedrive Diagnostics achieve compliance with your Duty of Care?
17
Advancedrive Diagnostics is a three stage process which is completed on-line by the employee:
1
Driver Profile A driver profile is completed by the employee based on their individual driving history and experience. This data provides employers with the relevant information to manage their duty of care responsibility. This stage consists of between eight and fifteen basic questions e.g. annual mileage, number of penalty points, weekly driving hours, and can be customised to the particular requirements of each organisation.
2
Risk Profile An individual profile is computed to identify the level of driver risk in each of the following areas: U
Knowledge of Rules of the Road and Good Driving practice: 20 randomly generated questions are answered and learners receive immediate feedback on the answers provided which is an essential educational element of the process.
U
Attitude to driving scenarios and other drivers: 20 randomly generated questions are answered eg. mobile phone usage, speeding or seat belt use, and each driver is asked to reflect on various aspects on their own driving. Again, learners receive immediate feedback on the rationale for the appropriate best driving practice in that particular scenario.
U
Skill: Learners are asked to observe 10 clips of various traffic situations and are assessed on their ability to identify the potential hazards.
3
Targeted E-Learning Based on the identified risk, a customised education programme consisting of mandatory and elective modules is self-administered to educate the driver to improve the risk and to fulfil the employer duty of care.
Included within the programme are up to 20 online remedial e-learning modules, which cover a variety of topics.
Depending on the results of the assessment, each candidate will immediately be directed to complete modules on areas of weakness.
Advancedrive can provide expert consultancy in the development of Driving for Work policy and procedure.
18
Management Reporting Employee A, driving a saloon car 30,000+ km per annum driving for 15 years on a full license has been identified as high risk in the areas of ‘Speed’ and ‘mobile phones’, having completed stage 2. His mandatory modules in stage 3 will include Speed and Mobile Phones. Having
At each stage of the process, management can access each learner’s progress and risk profile. If Advancedrive Diagnostics is completed regularly, e.g. each year, employers can build up a comprehensive driver profile to assist in risk management and fulfilling duty of care responsibilities.
successfully completed the minimum pass mark for the module his report will indicate that he has now passed the module.
Advancedrive Diagnostics can be used to form part of the induction process for new employees and enhance the profile of your organisation as a responsible employer.
Benefits of Advancedrive Diagnostics Employers U Identifies driver risk U Reduces the number of work related road injuries U Efficient Management and Risk Assessment U Provides a robust audit trail and comprehensive driver risk profile of each individual employee
Employees U Flexible learner centred programme which can be accessed wherever a computer and broadband is available. U Reduce risk of work related ill health and stress U Identify possible driving risk trends, driving hazards, provide solutions
U Cost effective and potential for savings in fuel and insurance rates
U Creates awareness of some of the key risks that are faced or created while driving for work
U Improves your overall Occupational Health & Safety Performance
U Employees maintain their road safety skill and knowledge by undergoing regular refresher training
U Provides a driving risk reduction system to all employees, contractors and agencies U Has potential to eliminate costly in-vehicle training
U Promotes safe driver behaviour amongst employees U Continued professional driver development of your employees U Ensures compliance with company driving policies and procedures U The online user Guide provides essential information to help and guide participants during the online training programme
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Community U Increased safety for other road users (drivers, cyclists and pedestrians) U Corporate Social Responsibility and increased safety for public and private property U Promoting driving for work best practice positively impacts on personal driving U Risk reduction for participants and the wider community U Eco driving sustainability
For more information contact: Mark Dodd 086 2511402 mark@advancedrive.ie Cáit Keaveney 0871343958 cait@advancedrive.ie
www.advancedrivediagnostics.ie
Stunning, Swedish and dressed in leather. With our new Personal Contract Plans you can get all the incredible safety features and stylish, Swedish design of the Volvo S60 from just €399* per month. Sign up today and receive complimentary leather interior as well. To find out more contact your local Volvo dealer or visit volvocars.ie
The Volvo S60 with free leather from €399* per month
volvocars.IE Model
S60 D2 SE with Leather
On the Road Price†
Customer Deposit/Part Exchange
Finance Amount
36 Monthly payments of
Term
GMFV (Optional Final Payment) ††
Total Cost of Credit
APR %*
€35,095
€10,528.50
€24,566.50
€399
37
€14,153.50
€4,014.49
6.9% Fixed
Terms & Conditions: †Includes delivery & related charges. Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. ††The Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) is payable if you renew or retain the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may be applied by your Volvo Dealer subject to kilometre limits/condition of the vehicle. *Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. Finance is provided by way of a hire purchase agreement. Finance example is based on a fixed rate APR of 6.9% and is inclusive of a once off documentation fee of €63.49. To qualify for this finance offer a minimum deposit of 10% of the ‘On the Road Price’ and a maximum term of 37 months applies. Rate quoted is correct as at 1st October 2013 and is subject to change. This offer is available on all selected Volvo passenger models registered from 1st October 2013 to 31st March 2014, at participating Volvo dealers only. The credit provider is Bank of Ireland Finance which is a registered trading name of Bank of Ireland. Fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 26.9 (10.5) – 68.9 (4.1), Extra Urban 41.5 (6.8) – 83.8 (3.4). Combined 34.4 (8.2) – 76.3 (3.7). Co2 Emissions 215 – 96 g/km. All new Volvo cars come with a 3 year warranty and 2 years’ roadside assistance.
20 | REVIEW
84th Geneva Motor Show Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland
M
ore than 160 World, European and Swiss premieres came under the spotlights at the six exhibition halls of Palexpo, situated conveniently beside the Airport for the 84th Geneva Motorshow. Many of the major brands revealed their show debutants prior to the event but some did hold out for the bright lights to shine to enable the social media addicts to do their thing and try to be the first to be re-tweeted. In no particular order Fleet Car reports direct from the annual event with the main highlights.
Ssangyong
Ford
Now Indian owned, Korean manufacturer Ssang yong is beginning to make a real impact, not least with this concept XLV. Let’s hope it becomes a production reality. Revamped Korando was there too.
From the ‘ blueoval’ came the new Mustang , Edge Concept, Mondeo HEV (hybrid) and more importantly for the mainstream market, the refreshed Focus range. Special space was provided for the Ranger Dakar Pick-up racer.
Tesla
Jeep
Model S, the alle le c t r ic 4 - do or saloon was among the favourites to win the European Car of the Year. Vital stats consist of 0.60 mph @ 5.4 sec, top speed 125 mph and zero omissions. Expect RHD models for UK and Ireland soon.
Under Fiat Group parentage, US brand Jeep is becoming more Europeanised with the new Cherokee and Grand Cherokee becoming a little sleeker and stylish. Check out the cheeky Renegade compact SUV which caught the eyes.
Skoda
Subaru
The Vision C was one of the world premieres presented by the Czech producer. This 5-door design study Coupe Concept demonstrates the design similarities with its Volkswagen Group sibling SEAT, but with its long tailgate trait.
A major presence from Subaru was a surprise for many. Together with the first appearance of the WRX STI 4-door, a special tribute was paid to the Legacy which celebrates 25 years of long life and service.
Volvo
Peugeot
Concepts aplenty here with the SC Coupe hinting at the next XC90, while the Coupe protot y pe could be in production sooner. The Concept Estate indicates the styling direction the Chinese/Swedish brand is taking.
Fresh from winning the European Car of the Year 2014 with the 5-door hatch model, Peugeot introduced the SW (Estate) version. Stretched by 33cm, 308 SW is spacious, notably with 610 litres of usable boot space.
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
REVIEW | 21 Toyota
Nissan
X marks the spot! Toyota steps up the fun factor with the seriously refreshed Aygo city car. It will be noticed in the car rental park but one wonders will the big X on the front become dated before long?
“A brand on the move,” according to Andy Palmer, V.P., Global Product Planning at Nissan, speaking at the reveal of the new Juke, X-Trail and electric eNV200 van and passenger vehicle.
Le Mans
Volkswagen
Sports car fans were enthralled by the vast collection of Le Mans racers in one dedicated hall. More than 20 examples of extraordinary race cars were on display for the famous 24 hour race which was fi rst run in 1923.
From the revised Polo, new Gol f Spor ts va n (Gol f Plus replacement) and various model s wea r i ng t he Blue Mot ion technolog y label, Volkswagen was out in strength. The allnew Passat due soon was surprisingly not present.
Mitsubishi
Mercedes-Benz
The Japanese marque is shaping its future with an array of concepts alongside present day models currently on sale. AR is the large crossover, GC is a heavy duty hybrid off-roader and the XR is a compact hybrid SUB.
V-class is Merc’s new big people carrier, while GLA is the three-pointed-star’s new compact SUV. Another premiere was the new C-Class and S-Class Coupe and its ultimate luxury Saloon, the 5600 with its 6.01 530 bhp V12.
Mazda
Kia
Mazda’s latest concept the Hazumi is clearly the next Mazda2 as it has all the styling lines carried over from the Mazda3 and multi award winning Mazda6. It should not be too long before we see the real thing!
Not only has the Soul been revamped but Kia also launched a zero emission allelectric version of the SUV compact. Offering a range of more than 200 km and a top speed of 145 km/h is not bad for starters!
Audi
BMW
Audi's of all types, including a biogas version were to be seen on a variety of stands. On its main stand was the new TT Coupe and the new A3 Sportback e-tron petrol/hybrid, while the S1, the compact A1 in sport mode kept visitors excited.
2 Series Active Tourer is the latest edition to the BMW (people c a r r ier) f a m i l y. Showcased also was the 2 Series Coupe, the 4 Series Cabrio and ‘lightly revised’ X3. Also there was the M3 Saloon, M4 Coupe and 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
www.fleetcar.ie
22 | FUEL RUN
Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC achieves record fuel economy on Coast-to-Coast challenge *Cross Border trip between Titanic Centres
L
ike a movie sequel, the follow-up tries to be as good as, if not better than the original. Sometimes the same lead actor may not be the star att raction second time around but still the storyline continues and the fi lm carries on in its own right. A similar happening occurred recently with the Fleet Car Honda Coast-to-Coast Challenge where the Civic car was replaced by the CR-V Sports Utility for the fuel economy run. Again, the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel was put to the test in the cross-Border drive taking in the two Titanic Centres in Belfast and Cobh.
On this occasion, the CR-V also recorded an impressive result. After covering almost 900 kilometres of ‘normal’ driving on motorway and urban routes, the 1.6 i-DTEC in the CR-V used on average 4.9L/100 km equating to 57.7 mpg. On the Dublin-Belfast-Dublin run alone, the 64.2 mpg (4.4 L/100) achieved, comfortably topped the Honda factory figures of 4.5L/100 or 62 mpg. With the company car driver becoming a more user chooser in the Irish marketplace, Universal Honda (the Honda car distributors for Ireland) was keen to put the new 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel fitted to the CR-V Sports Utility to the test in real life circumstances and further prove the drivetrain’s excellent fuel economy as demonstrated with the Civic, that has the same 120 bhp/300 Nm engine which produces only 119/km C02 (Tax Band A4 €200). The same two crews were retained for this re-run but the driving roles and routes were reversed in that Jarlath Sweeney from Fleet Car accompanied by Universal Honda’s Emmet Kavanagh headed south to visit the Titanic Experience in Cobh while Cathal Doyle (Fleet Car & The Sun) had Honda’s Ciaran Cullen alongside to venture across the Border to the Titanic Belfast Centre. Both cars of similar SE specification departed Honda Ireland’s headquarters at 9.30 am on Tuesday 18 February last. At the end of the North-South Coast-to-Coast journey the distance covered was 421 and 465 kilometres respectively – average speed between the two cars was 92 kp/h. En route various stops were made at the Applegreen and Topaz Motorway Services at Castlebellingham, County Louth and Cashel, County Tipperary to stream ongoing progress of the run on Social Media (Twitter and Facebook). Both CR-Vs then fi nally met up at the Junction 14 (Mayfield) Services at Monasterevin, County Kildare to go through the facts and figures to determine the averages. Emmet Kavanagh, Marketing Manager at Universal Honda was pleased with both results, the record run and the combined figures. “What appealed most to us when accepting the Fleet Car Challenge was the opportunity to prove the fuel-efficiency of the CR-V in normal, real world driving. The CR-V offers the highest official fuel economy of any SUV in the class, and while it would have been easy to rest on this, we instead took the challenge to truly test the figures and prove the ability of our Earth Dreams Technology in a much more difficult real-world sett ing. The team at Fleet Car took our CR-V and drove it at proper motorway speeds and through city traffic, both of which can really reduce fuel economy. We are very proud of the results achieved as to return around 60 mpg from a large family SUV demonstrates just what our Earth Dreams Technology is about.” Likewise, Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Car magazine was impressed with the smooth drive of the CR-V with the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel which is now offered alongside the standard 2.2 litre i-DTEC version. “For the corporate sector, the new CR-V with the 1.6 diesel is most suitable, practical too but most importantly, most economical. With Total Cost of Ownership now the vital component of running a company car, the CR-V, with the 1.6 i-DTEC, is it! FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Text: Jarlath Sweeney
Photos: Jarlath Sweeney & Cathal Doyle
What does 78mpg mean? It means driving from Dublin to Berlin for under â&#x201A;Ź90!
! r a b r e d n u W mpg*
How far will you go?
honda.ie Talk to your local Honda dealer about
Finance made easy**
*Combined fuel consumption of 3.6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;6.3 l/100km. CO2 emissions of 94-148g/km. **Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. Finance is provided by way of a hire purchase agreement. The credit provider is Bank of Ireland Finance which is a registered trading name of Bank of Ireland.
24 | LAUNCH PAD I
Honda adds style and space with Civic Tourer
T
he all-new Honda Civic Tourer is hitt ing the ground running in many ways with stylish looks and low running costs. Sharing the same design lines of the latest Civic 5-door, but stretched by 255 mm, the new 5-door Estate has a longer overhang and the glazed area at the rear quarter section has been extended to cover the body work of the D-pillar, while the rear door line has been raised by 17mm. Its sleek lines hides impressive space inside for large loads, enhanced by the multifolding ‘Honda Magic Seat’ layout. With the rear seats up it offers 624 litres of boot volume and with all seats down, up to 1668 litres is offered. Interior headroom has improved too for rear passengers thanks to
fitted as standard. On the flagship Executive model, a 3-level Active Damper System (shock absorber) on the rear axle enhances the drive, whether loaded or unloaded. Up front, the highly acclaimed 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel powers the range, joined by a 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol. The 1.6 i-DTEC delivers 300 Nm of torque, which is plenty of pulling power even though emission levels begin at just 99 g/km up to 103 g/km. the extended roofl ine. There is also an underfloor compartment in the boot area and there is a storage slot for the tonneau cover. The height of the loading lip has been lowered to match the level of the floor to enable ease of loading and unloading. Discreet roof rails are
Prices start from €25,995 for the 1.6 i-DTEC Comfort with the 1.8 i-VTEC (petrol) Comfort €300 less. Topping the range at €32,795 is the 1.8 i-VTEC Executive Auto. Jarlath Sweeney
Citroën takes the 7-seater to Infinity and Beyond!
C
itroën has evolved the 7-seat Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with the Grand C4 Picasso taking it to another level. The French marque has produced a new well designed and constructed people carrier and aims to build on the success of the standard C4 Picasso, recent winner of the coveted Continental Irish Car of the Year 2014 award. Not only having the widest boot opening in its class, its load capacity is enormous – 2,181 litres in total with the seats down. As good as some small vans! Around the driver and front seat passenger area, some design traits are carried over from the C4 Picasso with the dual info touch
behind the wheel.
screens the main focal point. They have to be seen, to be believed, as once tried you are hooked. Obtaining the information is not difficult. As expected these days, every safety enhancement is provided including Lane Departure System and a ‘tug’ system on the seat belts as a reminder not to doze off
On the drivetrain three versions of the PSA Group’s 1.6 HDi are used producing from 115 to 150 bhp with 5/6 speed manuals plus a 6-speed auto option. The Blue HDi 150 bhp version at the top level is Euro 6 emission control technology and requires AdBlue (liquid urea additive) to be refi lled only at service time on average mileage (or at 30,000 km). Four trim levels are on sale VTR/VTR+/ Exclusive/Exclusive+. Prices start at €26,795 for the VTR and extend to €39,395 for the Exclusive+. Jarlath Sweeney
Sports Tourer – The King of SEAT Leon!
A
nother recent entrant into the compact family size estate car market is SEAT with its Leon Sports Tourer. The Spanish brand is currently enjoying resurgence under the parentage of the Volkswagen Group. During 2013 alone, SEAT achieved a 10.6% growth across Europe with 355,000 unit sales, to become the second best performer (next to Dacia) in this Continent. Closer to home, SEAT Ireland recorded a 1.62% market share increase to almost 3% of the total market. Everyday usability from the backend is through a wide opening rear door that can offer luggage space of 587 litres, rising to as much as 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded. Interestingly, the Leon ST has a kerb weight of just 1,233 FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
kilogrammes, making it the lightest estate car in its class but still offering optimum safety and the best possible comfort. Through the V W Group, the drivetrain
consists of a selection of 1.2 TSI (from 86 to 105 bhp) to 1.8 TSI (180 bhp) petrols to 90/105 bhp 1.6 TDI diesels. Above that is the 2.0 TDI with either 150 or 184 bhp. Prices start at €20,185 for the entry ‘S’ level with the 1.2 TSI engine. Above that is the SE with the FR topping the bill. SE comes with 16-inch alloys, front fogs with cornering light function, cruise control; touch screen media system and connections. The best seller is likely to be the mid-range 1.6 TDI SE (90 bhp) costing €23,720. By the way, the flagship model here is the Leon ST 2.0 TDI FR (150bhp) with the DSG Autobox. Jarlath Sweeney
LAUNCH PAD II | 25
New Greener Audi Flagship Launched
A
udi has launched an updated version of its flagship model, the A8. The new car features a reduction in emissions and more power than before. Priced from €94,090, the latest generation 3.0TDI is expected to account for the majority of customer orders. Power increases from 250bhp to 260bhp while emissions fall 14g/ km to 155g/km. Also of interest to Irish buyers will be the 4.2TDI which has been upgraded to 385hp with 850Nm of torque, while the range-topping S8 accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds, but is capable of up to 28 mpg, corresponding to 225 grams/ km CO2. All six-, eight- and twelve-cylinder
versions come with quatt ro permanent allwheel drive.
Exterior and interior modifications have been subtle, featuring a resculpting of the bonnet, the single frame grille, the front bumper and the lower edge of the headlight units. At the rear, the design of the LED tail lamps has been revised. While full LED headlights are standard on the car, optional MatrixBeam LED headlights can be specified. These use 25 individual LEDs per unit that can be switched on and off or dimmed individually depending on the situation, and react to other vehicles via an on-board camera, masking the relevant sections of the high-beam by dimming or shutt ing off individual LED diodes. Cathal Doyle
Welcome Peugeot 308 – CoTY 2014!
H
ot on the heels of its launch in Ireland in January, Peugeot’s new 308 is already a major award winner, having scooped the prestigious European Car of the Year 2014 award at the recent Geneva Motor Show. The latest generation of the popular family hatchback is a significant step forward for the French manufacturer, significantly updated and improved in virtually every aspect from the car it replaces, making it a genuine contender against the best in the competitive C-Segment category. Built on the PSA Group’s new EMP2 platform, the 308 is shorter and lower, but wider than
before with a large 9.7” touchscreen that controls everything from air conditioning to navigation and vehicle sett ings.
the old car, and with reduced front and rear overhangs, it’s visually a much more purposeful looking machine than before. The interior features the compact steering wheel fi rst seen in the 208, while Peugeot has replaced the multitude of buttons from
Saving an impressive 70kgs in weight compared to the old car has resulted in improved CO2 emissions and fuel economy across the board. Peugeot sees petrol engines making a comeback in this segment, and will offer a new 3-cylinder 1.2-litre e-THP PureTech engine with a choice of 110 or 130bhp. The 92bhp 1.6 diesel is expected to be the volume seller though, and after a week with this car, we found it to be a lively and frugal performer. Prices for the new 308 start from €18,990. Cathal Doyle
Volvo revolutionises engine design
S
enior Vice President of Product Strategy at Volvo Car Lex Kerssemakers says the “D4 engine is a historical moment for Volvo” and will revolutionise the ideas’ of engine design. Quite a bold statement from a normally reserved automaker. From previously offering eight engine variants, the new ‘Volvo Engine Architecture’ (VEA) will now only offer two - one petrol and one diesel. Both engines are four cylinder units with a common displacement of 2.0 litres, with power outputs from 120-230 and 140-300 hp for the diesel and petrol respectively. The driveline is further enhanced with the choice of a new 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission.
and deliver the exact amount of fuel needed at 2,500 bar. We drove the D4 Drive-e engine in a cross section of Volvo models and were impressed. Performance across the range is excellent, though we were especially taken with the S60 diesel and the new 8-speed Geartronic auto which transforms the car. However the S60 manual with the D4 Drive-e is rated at 99 g/km CO2 - a superb figure for a 2.0 litre. A great deal of clever engineering has gone into the new engines which are 50 kgs lighter than an equivalent 6-cylinder. Some of the features include redesigned combustion chambers, improved thermal management, and the high pressure I-Art injectors. The individually microchipped I-Art units measure pressure feedback in the injector rather than the rail,
The VEA project required an investment of over €200 million, with over €13 million of that invested in Volvo’s Skövde facility, where all the D4 engines units are produced. Interestingly the project is futureproofed as all D4 models are pre-prepared for electrification including space for battery placement. Paul White www.fleetcar.ie
26 | TEST I
Facelifted Insignia remains fleet favourite
S
ince its launch in 2009, Opel’s Insignia has proven to be a popular choice for fleet car drivers. Good looks, excellent driving dynamics, and strong residuals have kept it amongst the best sellers in the very competitive D-segment part of the market. A mid-life facelift launched at the end of last year introduces some relatively minor cosmetic updates to the exterior that keep the Insignia looking fresh against more recently introduced rivals. They also have had a practical function though, as with a Cd value of 0.25 the Insignia is the most aerodynamic car in its class.
The major revisions have been focused on the interior and under the bonnet. Significant for fleet buyers is the arrival of a new 2 litre CDTi diesel with 140PS. Replacing the previous 130PS variant, it’s quickly becoming the powerplant of choice for the company car driver. Crucially it comes with class-leading CO2 emissions of just 99g/km, which in a car of this size is prett y impressive. If you do thirst after more power, there’s also a 163PS version with the same engine capacity, giving 3 horsepower more than before. Compared to the old 130PS, the new 140PS unit feels quieter and more refined, even under hard acceleration. There’s more than enough mid-range torque for overtaking, although you do notice the need to drop down a gear if the rev counter drops below 1500rpm. Fuel consumption wise I managed to return a figure of 5.5l/100km (51mpg) over a mixture of short runs and longer cross-country trips. It’s not bad for a big car, though some way off the impressive combined figure of 3.7l/100km (76mpg) that Opel claims. Existing Insignia owners will quickly notice the FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
revisions to the interior. The multiple small buttons and controls on the centre console have been replaced by a smart looking infotainment system called IntelliLink. It features a generously proportioned 8 inch touchscreen, a smaller 4.2 inch driver display cluster, and multiple ways to control it including voice recognition. Opel has also been making much of a touchpad located near the gearstick which you scroll and swipe similar to how you do on a laptop. In theory a great idea, but in practice it’s tricky to use, partly because in a right hand drive car you have to control it with your left hand. Over two weeks I failed to come to terms with it – try operating a touchpad on a laptop with your left hand (assuming you’re right-handed) to see how tricky it can be. It highlights though the issue of using your ‘wrong’ hand to operate many functions when driving – something it’s doubtful many manufacturers give much thought to when designing interior controls.
we’re nitpicking really – most drivers will be more than happy with its cornering prowess. One gripe is with the wing mirrors. Aerodynamic they may be, but the sharp curve downwards does create something of a blind spot – or at least it did from my driving position. We have heard similar complaints from other drivers on this issue also. As a company car the latest Insignia ticks most boxes. Generous equipment levels, comfortable seating, and good (plus economical) performance combined with a high build quality and top-notch materials make this a car that will keep drivers – and their bosses more than happy. Mid-way through its life cycle, the Opel Insignia has plenty to offer yet.
Spec Check
Driving wise there’s much to like with the Insignia. It’s a solid motorway performer, munching up miles effortlessly. Dynamically it rides well over poorly surfaced roads, and if it hasn’t quite got the same sharpness of handling of the now venerable Mondeo, or the latest Mazda6,
Make/Model
Opel Insignia SE
Engine
2.0 CDTi
Power
140 PS
Torque
350 Nm @ 1750-2500rpm
Transmission
6 speed Manual
Emissions
99 g/km / CO 2
Road Tax
Band A2 €180 per annum
0-100 km/h
9.5 seconds
Consumption
5.5 l/100km
Price (as tested)
€30,495
Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie
TEST II | 27
Audi A3 Saloon 1.6 TDI Sport Line Test Drive Report:
B
uying the new Audi A3 Saloon is like ordering a new hand-made tailored suit, you know it’s going to cost a little more, but what you get is a quality product that fits very comfortably and wears well. That was the feeling experienced after a week's drive in the 1.6 TDI (105 hp) A3 Saloon S-line which co-incidentally timed with the purchase of the new wear! As the Audi range has expanded and diversified, it is heartening to see that the three-box Saloon is still very much in the thoughts of their design and engineering teams. Incidentally, upon reading up on the new A3 ‘with the boot’, it was surprising that this new model shares similar dimensions to the original A4 from 1994. For decades, Irish motorists have taken to the saloon car and despite the arrival of MPVs, SUVs, Sports Tourers, etc., over 28% of cars sold in Ireland in 2012 were compact saloons. With this version of the A3, Audi Ireland sees a great potential with Christian Gussen, Audi Ireland’s Managing Director commenting, “We expect the A3 Saloon model will make a significant impact on the Irish market in 2014. We estimate that every second A3 customer will opt for the A3 Saloon. Its early arrival is highly important to Audi, both on a global scale and to Audi Ireland.” Back to the drives and the suit, A3 Saloon like Louis’ finest, oozes sophistication mainly due to the quality of manufacture. One thing for sure is that you will never tire of either, even after driving all-day or wearing same from dawn to dark.
through its 6-speed manual transmission. Just like its A3 siblings, the Saloon features MIB-Audi’s Modular Infotainment System offering connectivity to mobile players and phones, plus various other systems to inform the driver through the 7-inch screen. Audi Connect can also be specified to facilitate Internet access for passengers, including social media. Despite covering over 1,000 kilometres in a week, drivers will not suffer from excess fatigue, as the smooth drive ensures a pleasant experience every time. This was highlighted upon driving a D-Segment saloon the following week, which took a lot more energy out of the driver, a bit more stressful too as the visibility all round was not as good as the Audi. And that goes for the rear vision from the exterior mirrors too. Performance from the 105 bhp drivertrain was perfectly adequate for the high mileage company car user. From a base price, just shy of €30,000 (for the 1.4 TFSI) this S-line version with Fine Nappa leather, sports suspension, sports seats and lighting package, add a third more. As stated earlier, for premium quality an additional price has to be paid, but for the corporate sector the fleet manager will probably get more out of the driver just as if they were wearing a specially tailored suit. Bring the two together, for the perfect match!
Spec Check
Both are made of lightweight materials, yet durable. In the case of the Audi, its ‘ultra’ weight saving construction process means it tips the scales at just over 1.2 tonnes. This helps to bring down the carbon footprint of the car to class leading 99 g/km for this model tested, the 1.6 TDI (105 bhp), the lowest emission level for any petrol or diesel Saloon in Ireland for this sized engine.
Make/Model
Audi A3 Saloon S-line
Engine
1.6 TDI 4 Cylinder (Diesel)
Power
105 bhp
Torque
250 Nm @ 1500 – 2750 rpm
Emissions
99 g/km CO2
Significant too is its load capacity at 425 litres as the Saloon has more boot space (+45 litres) than the A3 Sportback, but with the same level of passenger room. For the record, the A3 Saloon has a 2.64 metre long wheelbase within the overall length of 4.46 metres. Powering the range is a selection of petrols and diesels from the 1.4 litre TFSI (140 hp) to the 150 bhp 2.0 litre TDI with the new 1.6 TDI in between. The latter produces 250 Nm of torque and will return around 4.0 litres per 100 kilometres
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
0 – 100 km/h
10.9 Seconds
Road Tax
Band A2 - €180 per annum
Consumption
3.8 – 4.0 L/100 km
Price
€35,000 with options €39,187
Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
www.fleetcar.ie
28 | MOTORSPORT
T
he sleepy village of Auberge in Switzerland was awoken one recent morning by the vibrating sound of a 5.0 litre V8. Not just any V8, but the one that powers the Ford Ranger in Dakar Rally specification. Neil Woolridge, the team owner and founder of Neil Woolridge Motorsport was out warming up the 354 horses that power this racing beast. Like any thoroughbred animal, it needs to be pushed hard to get the best out of it. This 2-tonne Double Cab Pick-Up based on the International award winning Ford Ranger bears few similarities to its road-going relation apart from some switchgear and door handles - and the branding, of course. Everything else really is methodically hand-built by Neil and his team back at base near Dunban, South Africa. Dakar 2014 was Ford South Africa’s first taste of the legendary cross-country marathon, but not Neil’s as he has watched, competed and lived the Rally for decades. Events like this are his life and livelihood. Back home, he prepares rally cars for the South African Cross-Country Championships and runs a 4x4 driving school. The African continent has the challenging terrain for his pedigree racers to strongly compete in these types of events, though a significant difference to the regular Cross-Country Championship and probably the most difficult aspect of the Dakar is the sand dunes. That said, more time ploughing through the deserts is certainly part of the plan for a bigger effort at Dakar next time around. Taken straight from the Geneva Motor Show, a little over 30 minutes drive from Auberge, I was privileged to be the first journalist to actually drive the actual Dakar Ranger and what a wonderful exhilarating experience it was. A touch wider and higher off the ground that the standard Ranger, another noticeable difference
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
from the ‘Bakkie’ (as Pick-Ups are called in South Africa) is there is no back-end as the drop down door is cut away to allow instant access to the spare wheels. Entry number 308 finished this years Dakar in 22nd position overall, and seventh in class. A finish that Neil was proud of first time out with a relatively untried rally car. He did express disappointment though that the second entry took an early ‘car-wash’ after crashing out only two days of action. Lots of lessons were learned but Neil is focused more than ever and knows exactly what has to be done to move up the leaderboard. There are three main elements to his campaign next year:1) Sign up a top-line experienced driver. Neil is a good friend of reigning champion Nani Roma and is aware of the speed and experience of former World Rally Champion Miki Biasion. Watch this space! 2) More time will be spent testing on sand which will also mean taking in some
pre-Dakar events in Morocco and Abu Dhabi. Additional high altitude runs will be required also. 3) Proposed changes to the FIA Regulations that may see an increase in the turbo restriction to 38mm will level the playing field somewhat against the higher torque diesel competitors. The 2mm increase will push the power up to 400 hp. Other modifications on the drawing board include using some stronger components in the rebuild as minor defects caused some serious time loss over the first two days of the Dakar as it left Argentina. If the engine regulations change, expect to see a new block fitted, maybe that from the highly regarded new EcoBoost range from Ford.
The First Drive As an avid fan of the Dakar since the mid-90’s and having attended the event twice, once in Morocco when run in Africa and latterly in Chile in South America from where it is organised in
MOTORSPORT | 29 input from Ford’s Global Product Development Team, a top five finish is certainly on the cards.
recent years, getting to drive the Dakar Ford Ranger was a very special moment. From Auberge, which itself has a rich history in motorsport as it hosted many Vintage Rallys in the past, the serene surroundings soon changed as we quickly moved up the six speed sequential gearbox, with Neil at the helm. As we ascended towards the snow capped Alps, the tight and twisty route gave him the chance to slip-slide the back end which brought a smile to us both. Harnessed into the Recaro race seats, it felt safe being cocooned inside the multi angular roll cage.
Commenting on the inaugural run in the Dakar 2013, Irishman Gerard Quinn, Head of Ford Racing in Europe, said, “Motorsport challenges don’t come any harder than the Dakar Rally. This was an all-new project and to complete the Dakar on the Ranger’s debut was an achievement of which Ford and the team can be extremely proud.” And on its appearance at the Geneva Motor Show, Gerard added, “Motorsport is the toughest proving ground and a critical part of the engineering and development work. This year’s Dakar was regarded as the toughest for many years and the retirement rate confirms that. To bring the Ranger successfully to the fi nish speaks volumes about the strength and reliability of the car as well as its pace, and I’m delighted it will be seen in Europe for the first time at the Geneva Show”.
After this familiarisation run it was time for a changeover. Putting his trust in a journalist that has driven every type of commercial vehicle but has little real rally experience (apart from a Peugeot 205 GTi used in Autocrosses), it was a giant leap of faith on Neil’s and Ford of Europe’s behalf. What if I lost it and ruined the plans for the four other journalists that were invited on this test? A cautious approach was therefore required. Somehow the noise of the V8 was not as noticeable from the driver’s seat (probably because the exhaust box is on the other side of this LHD car!). My mind was elsewhere really, trying to concentrate on the job in hand. With pulse racing, steady feet and hands were needed. This Ranger does not start like its road sibling, as switches need to be flicked, buttons pressed and a prolonged use of the starter to bring the V8 beast to life. There are enough switches and gauges on panels here to fly a Jumbo Jet! Surprisingly, the steering feels very light, and sensitive to quick movements. On the other hand, its turn in is very sharp. That said, the turning circle as per vehicles of this type is prett y tight. Clutch use is required for movement up through the 6-speed sequential box done through swift back movement on the high placed lever. But once up to speed and with the revs kept high, gearshifts can be done without reverting to the manual clutch something we tried to great effect. On the road, the Ranger Dakar does feel much wider, maybe because the cab is mounted much higher. What was most surprising and alarming about this Ranger was how soft the brakes were, frightening in fact on the road sections especially at junctions! On asking Neil does he change gears by ear or by keeping a close eye on the rev counter, he admitted both! Mixing old and new styles! Ranger Dakar with 560Nm of torque doesn’t do slow, it’s an out and out racer – any pull back on the throttle and it begins to stutter and shake, requiring a change down. Like an arrow, this 5.0 litre V8, taken from the Ford Mustang, is at its best going forward at high speed, making the thrill for the driver even more exhilarating. Coming down from this adrenalin rush took some time. It is easy to become hooked on this level of motorsport and the extreme challenges cross-country rallying offers. Neil Woolridge has been hooked for decades. Year by year he and his team are gaining further experience. With further Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie
Ford Ranger Dakar Rally – technical specification Base Vehicle
Ford Ranger 4x4 Double Cab
Regulations
FIA / ASO T1
Engine
Ford Aluminum 5.0L-4V V8 with Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing
Power
260kW (354PS) @ 4500 rpm
Torque
560Nm @ 4100 rpm
Body
Full composite
Suspension
Independent front and rear Twin BOS dampers/wheel Anti-roll bar front and rear
Brakes
Brembo water cooled rear Brembo air cooled front
Fuel tank
500 litres
Gearbox
Sadev 6-speed sequential, permanent 4-wheel drive
Differential
LSD unit front and rear
Drive wheels
16 inch Evocorse rims fitted with 245/85 – 16 Michelin tyres
Top speed
170km/h (105mph)
Weight
1975kg www.fleetcar.ie
30 | FLEETING SHOTS
Vintage dressed cyclists to lead out 2014 Tour de Conamara *ŠKODA Ireland renew title sponsorship
T
o mark the start of the Giro d’Italia in Ireland, the 2014 Tour de Conamara, sponsored by Skoda Ireland, will include a vintage bike category, which will involve classic racing bikes and participants competing in heritage cycling clothing. Cyclists dressed in vintage cycling gear from the 1970s and 1980s will lead out the event due to take place on Saturday 24 May next. The sportive, starting and finishing in Clifden offers a choice of 140km and 80km routes. The Tour de Conamara, the only Irish event in the International Celtic Cycling Series, is already in high demand with registrations for the event already up three times on this time last year. Cyclists who sign up for the ŠKODA Tour de Conamara before 30 April will receive a free newly designed cycling training jacket and a chance to win a signed BMC pro team jersey.
Prancing Horse Theme Park for Spain
A
n opportunity for the whole family to experience and discover the world of Ferrari will be unveiled when Ferrari Land, the new €100m Prancing Horse Theme Park, is constructed inside the PortAventura resort outside Barcelona in Spain. Ferrari Land will cover 75,000 square metres and include a variety of new and exciting att ractions for Prancing Horse enthusiasts of all ages, including Europe’s highest and fastest vertical accelerator. More good news is that the fi rst Ferrari-themed hotel is also to be built inside PortAventura and will be a luxury five-star establishment with 250 rooms, restaurants and a driving simulator. The project officially opens in 2016.
“The event has already attracted considerable international interest with registrations already received from cyclists in the UK, France and the USA,” according to event organizer, Padraic Quinn. “We are hoping to build on the success of last year’s cycle and in the past few months received extensive cycling media coverage in the UK that generated a lot of interest. One cyclist journalist described the route as the fi nest and most picturesque he has ridden in the world and we will highlight the Wild Atlantic Way this year as it represents a significant sports tourism opportunity for the country,” he explained. Pictured at the launch of the 2014 ŠKODA Tour de Conamara were Leo Monaghan, dealer principal of Monaghan & Sons, Galway, Joe Monaghan, Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing & Product, ŠKODA Ireland, Mark O’Connell, representing event partners W2 and Vogue Williams who is taking part in the SKODA series sportive event in Sligo.
Easytrip’s SOS App “a potential life saver”
e
asytrip has developed a special SOS App, a free 24/7 breakdown assistance application for smartphones that can mobilise help for stranded motorists anywhere.
The easytrip ‘SOS App’ puts the driver in touch with easytrip’s traffic control centre which pinpoints the exact location of the breakdown, assesses the gravity of the situation and transmits the GPS coordinates and other information to the relevant roadside assistance organisation. “We’re in the business of making driving easier and safer for all our customers”, says Ciara O’Brien, General Manager of easytrip. “With our SOS App, drivers now know that if they break down they will be located and given the help they need, even in the remotest parts of the country. When you see the extreme weather we’ve had this winter, it’s no exaggeration to say that the App could save somebody’s life one of these days or nights.” The easytrip SOS App is available now for both iOS and android platforms and is free to download from apple iTunes or Google Playstore.
FLEETCAR | Spring 2014
Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editorl@fleet.ie
Who do car makers trust?
about the manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice askconti.ie Continental Tyre Group Ireland, Clyde Lodge, 15 Clyde Road, Dublin 4 Tel. (01) 660 7633
www.kia.com
The 2014 Kia Sportage Prepare to be noticed
From
€26,790 It’s no surprise that the Kia Sportage has become one of Ireland’s best selling SUVs. This is a car that has it all - style, space, quality, refinement and the peace of mind of the Kia 7 year warranty. But one thing all Sportage drivers agree on – this is a car that gets you noticed. For more on the 2014 Sportage, drop into your local Kia showroom or log on to www.kia.com
Fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Kia Sportage range are: Urban 31.0 (9.1) – 47.1 (6.0), Extra Urban 46.3 (6.1) – 58.9 (4.8), Combined 39.2 (7.2) – 54.3 (5.2). The official CO2 emissions for the Kia Sportage are between 189 – 135 g/km. Price quoted is for the Kia Sportage LX 1.7D and excludes metallic paint and delivery and related charges. Wheels on model illustrated are not available in Ireland. Warranty is 7 years/150,000km full warranty. Terms and conditions available in warranty and service handbook. www.kia.com