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NEW PEUGEOT 308 – ELEGANT, EFFICIENT AND FULL OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

New micro-hybrid e-HDi reduces CO2 emissions to 98 g/km*
Latest generation Euro 5 VTi, THP petrol and HDi diesel engines
Four model range – Access, SR, Active and Allure – all with high-level specification
Two range topping GT THP 200 models – Hatchback & CC
Range starts at £15,245 O.T.R
On sale in May
The New Peugeot 308 will be launched in the UK in May with a new look, a range of innovative technology and CO2 emissions from just 98 g/km.

Since launch in September 2007 over 900,000 308 models have been sold worldwide. In the UK over 84,000 vehicles have been sold, making it the second most popular Peugeot model.

The New Peugeot 308 is being launched onto the UK market integrating all the latest Peugeot styling elements already seen on the Peugeot 508 and the SR1 Concept Car. The new Peugeot 308 will be available in three body styles; Hatchback, CC and SW, and four multi-model trim levels; Access, SR, Active and Allure. A range topping hatchback and CC THP 200 model will also be available in a single GT trim level.

A new look at the front with the latest LED headlamps and running lights gives the New Peugeot 308 an elegant and modern look. All the dynamic and emotional strengths of the original Peugeot 308 have been retained and strengthened further with the introduction of more efficient engines and Peugeot’s innovative micro-hybrid e-HDi Stop & Start technology.

Peugeot’s micro-hybrid e-HDi Stop & Start technology is the latest generation technology and combined with Peugeot’s class leading 1.6 litre HDi FAP 112 Euro 5 diesel engine reduces CO2emissions to 98 g/km. This engine option will also be available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed electronically controlled manual gearbox (EGC). This will give the New Peugeot 308 the lowest emissions in its segment.

All models feature air conditioning, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), ABS, EBFD, EBA, front and rear electric windows with child security, remote control central door locking with deadlocks and six SMART safety airbags.

To ensure the New Peugeot 308 is as environmentally efficient as possible all factors affecting CO2emissions have been optimised;

Overall weight reduced by 25 kg on average on all models
Fitment of new 16” ultra low rolling resistance tyres
Optimisation of all engine options (VTi, THP petrol and HDi diesel engines to Euro5)
Cx of 0.28 for the low consumption models – Record for this segment
This also enables the New Peugeot 308 HDi FAP 92 model, fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox, to emit CO2 emissions of only 110 g/km.

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Posted in Diesel News, HDi Topics

SUCCESSFUL TEST FOR THE NEW AUDI R18


• Two new Audi R18 cars used in tests at Sebring (USA)

• Preparation for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours

• All nine “factory” drivers shared the test tasks

Ingolstadt, January 31 – Four and a half months before the Le Mans 24 Hours, preparations for the endurance classic are in full swing at Audi. Two new Audi R18 cars and one Audi R15 TDI were used in tests at Sebring (U.S. state of Florida).

The programme planned for the tradition-steeped American circuit specified endurance runs for one of the completely re-developed LMP1 sports cars while the second Audi R18 was primarily used for development work. The Audi R15 “plus plus” that will be fielded at the 12-hour race at Sebring – the season opener of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) – completed a long run as well. In addition, the basic setup for the race in March was worked out on the vehicle.

During the tests, which ended on Saturday, the nine Audi “factory” drivers took turns at the wheel so that all of them had the opportunity to drive each of the three sports cars.

“We’re very pleased with the performance of the Audi R18 at our first outing at Sebring,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We opted for this race track because it makes high demands on the mechanical systems of our vehicles. The temperatures are better than in Europe right now, plus the dry weather provides us with assurance that we’re able to conduct the endurance runs as

planned. On a wet track the loads would be lower and the test results therefore less conclusive.”

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Posted in Diesel News

SEVEN TIMES A WINNER FOR BMW AT BUSINESSCAR AWARDS 2011


BMW named Manufacturer of the Year for the third year in a row

The BMW Group UK has scooped seven awards from one of the country’s leading fleet publications. BusinessCar magazine has honoured the BMW Group with the headline accolade of ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, for the third year in a row, in recognition of BMW’s diverse product portfolio and class-leading running costs.

The title ‘Business Car of the Year’ was awarded to the new BMW 5 Series for its combination of superior build quality, driving dynamics and class-leading economy, while ‘Green Car of the Year’ was scooped by the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics.

Continuing on from their success in 2010 the BMW X5 was again named ‘Large 4×4 of the year’, the BMW 3 Series took home ‘Upper Medium Car of the Year’ for the second year in a row and on top of its main billing, the new 5 Series was named ‘Executive Car of the Year’. Remaining the small car of choice for the fleet user MINI was crowned ‘Supermini of the Year’ for the ninth year in a row.

Voted for solely by its readership, the BusinessCar Awards reflect the opinions of the people who really matter in the fleet industry, giving the awards a particular gravitas.

“BMW’s massive achievement in providing cars that are both cost-efficient to run and desirable to staff has led to a well deserved and very impressive seven awards, including all three of the headline car awards” said BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker.

“The new 5-series was the obvious choice as BusinessCar of the Year, while the 320d Efficient Dynamics has seemingly achieved the impossible when you combine its emissions figure with its size and performance. And BMW’s model range meant it would always be the favourite for Manufacturer of the Year thanks to the stunning emissions and economy figures combined with unmatched badge appeal in the corporate sector.”

Sean Green, Sales Director BMW Group UK, said: “To win the big three from BusinessCar is a huge honour, as there are no other awards which can claim that they truly represent the views of the industry in quite the same way. The corporate customer is very important to BMW and with models such as the award winning 320d EfficientDynamics and new BMW 5 Series, we are dedicated to staying ahead of our rivals and exceeding customer expectations.”

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Posted in Diesel News

MINI NAMED BUSINESSCAR MAGAZINE’S ‘SUPERMINI OF THE YEAR’ FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR


For an impressive ninth year in a row, MINI’s commitment to manufacturing frugal and fast premium small cars has been recognised as the MINI Hatch is named ‘Supermini of the Year’ by BusinessCar Magazine.

MINI’s unbeatable mix of performance, low running costs and CO2 emissions, coupled with high residual values are just some of the reasons why it has proven to be so successful with business car users.

Commenting on the award Jochen Goller, Director MINI UK said “We are delighted to receive this prestigious recognition from BusinessCar. The corporate sales channel has increased in importance for MINI since the recent launch of the fourth member of the MINI family. The new four door MINI Countryman has already generated huge interest in the fleet market amongst buyers seeking the unique MINI driving experience combined with increased space and practicality.”

“Normally it would be incredible to see a car hold onto its title for nine years, but with the MINI’s unbeatable running costs and driver appeal, it’s no surprise to see it take the BusinessCar Supermini of the Year Award for a ninth straight year” said BusinessCar Editor Paul Barker. “The excellent residual values and economy mean it’s a small car that makes big sense for business.”

Under the new Greener Vehicle Discount scheme the new MINI One D and MINI Cooper D Hatch models are eligible for standard free of charge entry into the London Congestion Charge Zone both as cars emit just 99g of CO2 per kilometre,

As with all MINI models both the MINI One D and MINI Cooper D comply with the EU5 emission standard and they achieve the same low fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. These values are an absolute record for any series production car produced by the BMW Group. In addition to the high efficiency of the diesel engine in the MINI One D and Cooper D, under the MINIMALISM umbrella both cars employ a host of fuel-saving and emission-lowering technology including Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, Gearshift Indicator and Electromechanical Power Steering. All of these technologies and the standard six-speed manual gearbox play a role in eking the most out of every drop of fuel while also minimising the tailpipe emissions.

The BusinessCar Awards are the only awards in the market decided solely by the readers of the magazine and website.

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Posted in Diesel News

THE NEW PASSAT EMBARKS ON UK TOUR


The new Volkswagen Passat is setting off on a nationwide tour, showcasing the new model to small businesses and fleets at business parks across the country. Starting on Monday 24th January in Aylesbury, the epic 50-day road show will visit all four corners of the country giving customers a chance to see and experience the vehicle, and also understand how the seventh generation Passat would operate as a company car within their business.

Accompanying the tour will be a hospitality unit hosted by staff from local Volkswagen Retailers. Visitors to the road show will be welcomed with complimentary refreshments and have a chance to explore the new Passat, the first examples of which went on sale earlier this month with prices starting at £18,875 for the saloon and £20,175 for the versatile Estate. They will also be able to talk to trained Volkswagen representatives who will be on hand to talk through the competitive contract hire and finance packages available, as well as having information on company car tax and BiK implications.

The Passat has established itself as a firm favourite with UK buyers with over 600,000 examples having found homes here since its launch in 1973. The new seventh generation Passat is the most advanced iteration yet with every model fitted with special sound insulating windscreen glass and new sound deadening materials to make it one of the quietest cars in its class.

As well as an elegant new look on the inside and out the new Passat can, for the first time, be specified with air-conditioned seats and Automatic Distance Control (ADC) that can automatically slow the car to a halt should it encounter traffic. In addition, the new Passat can be fitted with an automatic fatigue detection system that monitors the driver’s inputs and automatically emits an audible and visual warning to recommend a break if required.

Every diesel engine is now badged as a BlueMotion Technology product and is equipped with battery regeneration and Stop/Start systems as standard. The result is that the entry-level 1.6-litre TDI 105 PS is capable of exceeding the economy of the outgoing BlueMotion model with a combined economy of 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. In turn, the new BlueMotion model, due to go on sale in mid-2011, will return a forecast 68.8 mpg and emit 109 g/km of CO2.

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Posted in Diesel News, TDI Owners

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