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Peugeot ready to reap the rewardsLow CO2 crossover to build on success of 208

SUVs shake up fleet status quo Sector outsells upper- medium for the first time

All the latest cars tested Reports include Kia Carens, Mini Paceman, Renault Zoe

FIRST DRIVE: PEUGEOT 2008

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Car views and news by FleetNews

FIRST DRIVE

By Stephen Brierseugeot has been promising to reinvent itself for a number of years after a disastrous sales period during the mid to late 2000s.However, despite producing cars like the excellent 508 and award-

winning 3008, it continued to fall short in many fleet eyes. The 208, launched last year, finally sparked the renaissance; the 2008 should

further build the momentum.Based on an extended 208 platform, this compact crossover car is great to drive,

has a striking interior design with quality materials, and offers ultra-low emissions/high fuel efficiency engines. All give it genuine user-chooser appeal.Peugeot expects fleets to account for 40% of the estimated 8,000 annual sales,

primarily via leasing companies.The 2008 will also help Peugeot to retain 207 SW customers following its deci-

sion not to launch an estate version of the 208. Pricing starts at £12,995 OTR, although Peugeot fleet director Phil Robson

expects most corporate buyers will opt for the middle two of the four trim levels – Active and Allure – which are likely to be priced between £14,000-16,000.The pricing guides have yet to reveal their figures but Robson is hopeful the 2008

will attract a “one or two percentage point rise” over comparable 208 values, putting it at around 38-39% over three years/60,000 miles.

NEED TO KNOW n Based on extended 208 platformn Prices start from £12,995 OTRn 40% of estimated annual sales will be to fleetsn Grip Control standard on Allure and Feline trim levels

PEUGEOT 20081.6 E-HDI

P

Crossover to build on Peugeot's momentum

THE RIGHT CAR AT THE RIGHT TIME

SPEC

Four diesel engines will be available from launch in July (orders begin in May). The biggest fleet seller will be the 1.6-litre 92bhp diesel, available as 103g/km manual and 98g/km EGC semi-automatic. They are complemented by 1.4-litre 68bhp 104g/km and 1.6-litre 115bhp 106g/km diesels.Low-mileage company car drivers should also consider the new generation

three-cylinder petrol options, particularly the 1.2-litre 82bhp 99g/km engine. Customers who opt for the Allure or range-topping Feline trims get Peugeot’s

Grip Control as standard (apart from on the 1.2 petrol and 1.6-litre EGC diesel). Combined with Goodyear’s 4 Seasons all-weather tyres, Grip Control is intended to be a cheaper and lighter alternative to four-wheel drive. It works: tested on five-inch deep mud, the system comfortably traversed an eight-feet deep gully. The 2008 looks compact and cute from some angles, bland and bulbous from

others. The interior is much better, taking inspiration from home furnishings in the selection of materials. Neat detailing includes blue perimeter lighting around the instrument cluster,

LED light strips edging the panoramic glass roof and chrome flourishes to accen-tuate the main panel.Behind the wheel the 2008 surprises: despite being raised by 16.2cm, it feels

nimble and sure-footed on challenging routes.Yet the suspension is also cushioned and absorbent on rutted roads on both

16- and 17-inch wheels. Peugeot appears to have got the balance just right.The 2008’s timing is perfect. Much of the hard work in convincing leasing compa-

nies to take Peugeot seriously has been done by the 208: the compact crossover will now reap the rewards.

COSTSP11D price TBC, from £12,995BIK tax band 15%Annual BIK tax (20%) N/AClass 1A NIC N/AAnnual VED £0RV (4yr/40k) N/AFuel cost (ppm) N/ARunning cost (4yr/40k) N/A

To compare running costs, click here

Engine (cc) 1,560Bhp/torque (lb-ft) 92/170CO2 (g/km) 103 (98 as EGC)Fuel economy (mpg) 70.6Max speed (mph) 1130-62mph (secs) 12.8

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Compact and cute looks from some angles

Interior takes inspiration from home furnishings for materials

TESTED THIS MONTH

The most fiery model in 30 years of fast Fiestas still has the potential to overhaul rivals in the sector for go-faster hatchbacks, believes Ford marketing strategy manager Dr Andrew Paton.Compared with its 2.0-litre predecessor, the 1.6-litre EcoBoost ST delivers 20% improvements in output and efficiency to provide stunning performance.And it's a surprise to discover that even though the on-rails roadholding calls for firmed-up spring rates, ride comfort remains acceptable over all but the worst surfaces.

Extensively repackaged to be smaller overall but markedly bigger inside, the Carens multi-purpose model should represent 4,000 UK market registrations for Kia over the next 12 months.Engine modifications and a stop-start system have cut emissions by 15% and a high sixth gear ratio gives a relaxed and subdued cruising gait.Thanks to its longer wheelbase, the seven-seater makes extra space available for all occupants in a layout that allows greater versatility based on a second row of sliding and folding seats and third row seating that splits and folds into the floor.

Unique styling and a lower stance have the potential to help new versions of the Mini build on the recent success with fleets, believes product and planning manager Dave Tuckett.Despite its more upmarket stance and having rear seat accommodation styled around two comfortable chairs, the car remains practical with boot space only marginally less than the Countryman at 330 litres.Revised suspension settings promote sharper cornering, but regular suspension and ride height are a no-cost option.

Ford Fiesta ST 2

Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi

Mini Cooper Paceman SD ALL4

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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Priced from under £14,000, the three-model range hailed by Renault as the breakthrough in persuading drivers to swap internal combustion for electricity will come with three-year battery leases.Equipment is comprehensive on all versions of a car that sets a fresh benchmark in practical zero emission travel.Thanks to innovations in regenerative braking and heat pump technology and helped by the latest tyre technology, the car has an official 130-mile range – the longest in its class.

While the number of public charging points is predected to double within the next year, the number of EVs remains low.The original Leaf was praised for its fine ride and responsive steering so it will come as no surprise to learn that the ‘new’ Leaf has evolved into something more efficient, now travelling for up to 15 miles more on a single charge.Other changes include redesigned front seats to give rear-seat passengers more foot-room, a black interior, a bigger boot, a more efficient heater, and a redesigned charging point.

Mitsubishi Mirage 3

Renault Zoe Dynamique Zen

Nissan Leaf

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CLICK HERE FOR MORE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

The Mirage is claimed to be the most efficient petrol-driven five-door A-sector model available.Lighter than its rivals and also claiming class-leading aerodynamics, it is relatively spacious with rear seat accommodation that compares well with cars in the class above thanks to a more compact engine bay than usual.Nippy through the lanes, our top-range test model cruised quietly on the open road and was impressively nimble in congested streets and on car parks, thanks to a turning circle of just 9.2 metres.

FLEE T SALES FIGURES

By Jay Nagley, Redspy Automotivehe overall fleet market had a relatively good month in March. Unit sales were up 3.7%, while the fleet proportion of the overall market was 43.5%. While this was lower than its share of around 45% in the

past two years, it was slightly higher than in the three years from 2008 to 2010. At a manufacturer level, Ford retained its overall

leadership, but it fell by 8.6% in March, not helped by the industrial unrest at the doomed Gent plant in Belgium which has limited production of large cars. Vauxhall has performed strongly in the first quarter

of this year, but it is significant that, despite the prob-lems with the Mondeo, the Insignia also saw a sales fall. This is because the fleet upper medium segment fell by 26% in the first quarter. For the first time ever, more SUVs (28,000) were sold to fleets this quarter than upper medium cars (23,000).Below the now-traditional top four marques, there

is a big fight for fifth place. Peugeot, BMW and Nissan are all within a few hundred units of each other. Peugeot will be hoping that the new 208 can help it to consolidate fifth place but Nissan, with its ever-green Juke and Qashqai, is actually growing more strongly at present.

But corporate share of overall market dips on last two years despite growth

Fleet sales increase by 3.7%

In the middle of the table, the strongest performance has, inevitably, come from Land Rover, thanks to the Evoque. It is now a major player in the fleet market and is ahead of traditional brands such as Fiat and Renault. Talking of Fiat, it has had a good quarter despite effectively being a two-model company at present (500 and Panda). However, the same cannot be said of its daughter

brands, which are scarcely visible to the naked eye. The combined sales of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Jeep were still less than those of Suzuki. It is hard to know which of the three is in the most

serious trouble: Alfa, which was meant to be enjoying a renaissance with the Guilietta; Chrysler, whose relaunch with Lancia models has sunk without trace; or Jeep, which apparently cannot sell SUVs to British fleets. However, the most surprising fall in sales has come

from Chevrolet, down 67.9% at just 1,107 units. In the first quarter, it was outsold 9:1 by Hyundai and 7:1 by Kia. One of the industry’s great paradoxes is that the two Korean owned car companies seem to under-stand our needs better than the American-owned company, whose parent has been manufacturing in Europe for 80 years.

TLand Rover is now a major fleet player

Mondeo sales have been hit by

the unrest at Ford's Gent plant

March March YTD YTD Manufacturer fleet 2013 fleet 2012 % change 2013 2012 % change Ford 24,275 26,561 -8.61% 39,634 44,740 -11.41%Vauxhall 19,885 17,901 11.08% 37,647 30,638 22.88%Volkswagen 15,632 16,586 -5.75% 26,535 29,501 -10.05%Audi 12,760 12,112 5.35% 20,169 20,158 0.05%Peugeot 10,428 10,071 3.54% 17,269 16,323 5.80%BMW 11,461 10,625 7.87% 16,966 16,309 4.03%Nissan 8,590 8,280 3.74% 16,777 13,913 20.59%Mercedes-Benz 9,944 7,436 33.73% 15,378 12,782 20.31%Hyundai 5,822 5,995 -2.89% 10,237 8,986 13.92%Citroën 6,037 4,623 30.59% 9,943 7,819 27.16%Toyota 6,119 6,367 -3.90% 9,697 9,981 -2.85%Kia 5,171 4,955 4.36% 8,143 8,285 -1.71%Honda 4,394 4,126 6.50% 6,615 6,146 7.63%Skoda 4,230 3,698 14.39% 6,427 6,055 6.14%Volvo 3,683 3,275 12.46% 5,833 5,544 5.21%Land Rover 2,919 2,708 7.79% 5,053 3,811 32.59%Seat 2,995 3,072 -2.51% 4,897 5,004 -2.14%Mini 3,458 3,334 3.72% 4,746 4,640 2.28%Fiat 2,707 1,668 62.29% 4,019 3,207 25.32%Renault 2,652 2,681 -1.08% 3,998 4,893 -18.29%Mazda 1,875 1,796 4.40% 2,914 2,422 20.31%Jaguar 1,350 1,404 -3.85% 2,107 1,909 10.37%Suzuki 1,296 1,195 8.45% 1,839 1,740 5.69%Lexus 742 837 -11.35% 1,137 1,368 -16.89%Chevrolet 726 1,533 -52.64% 1,107 3,449 -67.90%Mitsubishi 757 367 106.27% 921 490 87.96%Alfa Romeo 305 561 -45.63% 561 1,016 -44.78%Smart 410 326 25.77% 528 497 6.24%Chrysler 329 371 -11.32% 438 423 3.55%Porsche 200 151 32.45% 264 229 15.28%Subaru 205 301 -31.89% 246 525 -53.14%Jeep 135 169 -20.12% 187 232 -19.40%Aston Martin 37 72 -48.61% 87 109 -20.18%Bentley 33 69 -52.17% 77 123 -37.40%SsangYong 30 65 -53.85% 62 98 -36.73%MG 8 205 -96.10% 17 408 -95.83%Other 128 69 85.51% 220 125 76.00%Total 171,728 165,565 3.72% 282,695 273,898 3.21%

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FUEL PRICES

1 BIRMINGHAM Diesel 139.83Unleaded 135.3LPG 78.9

2 BRIGHTON Diesel 139.89Unleaded 134.97LPG 72.9

3 CAMBRIDGE Diesel 143.06**Unleaded 137.83**LPG 74.91

4 DERBY Diesel 139.42Unleaded 134.55LPG N/A

5 EDINBURGHDiesel 139.19Unleaded 135.65LPG 67.9*

6 EXETER Diesel 141.09Unleaded 135.71LPG 79.6**

7 HEREFORD Diesel 141.81Unleaded 137.12LPG N/A

8 LEEDSDiesel 138.15Unleaded 133.86*LPG N/A

9 LIVERPOOL Diesel 137.86*Unleaded 134.46LPG N/A

10 LONDON Diesel 140.17Unleaded 134.29LPG 77.52

11 MANCHESTER Diesel 139.81Unleaded 135.4LPG 69.9

12 NORWICHDiesel 138.97Unleaded 136.03LPG N/A

13 OXFORD Diesel 140.59Unleaded 136.9LPG N/A

14 WATFORD Diesel 140.26Unleaded 134.81LPG N/A

For full UK fuel price figures Click here

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

89

10

11

12

13 14

* Cheapest ** Most expensive

Fleet News is hosting the first GreatGrey Fleet Debate to provide somemuch-needed clarity on the greyfleet issue. The debate aims to throwmore light on the subject as well ashighlighting ways in which the areacan be tackled, whatever thenumber of private vehicles yourcompany may utilise.

With it estimated that there are over4 million grey fleet cars on the roadin the UK, fleet operators can nolonger afford to ignore the financial,environmental and health and safetyimplications of running a grey fleet.

The debate includes:

• Fleet News Awards finalistsTristan Campbell, fleet advisor at Chivas Brothers

• Adam Davies, fleet team leader at Wiltshire Council

• Gareth Roberts, fleet manager at Natural Resources Wales

• The legal view • Opinions from the fleet industry

Fleet operators can book theirplace by contacting Kate Howard on 01733 468146 [email protected]

Join thedebate2.15pm, 11 June 2013Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire(alongside Company Car in Action)

The Great Grey Fleet Debate is being held as part of Company Car in ActionFor further details visit www.companycarinaction.com

FNGGD13_FPAD_Layout 1 11/04/2013 17:31 Page 1

OUR FLEE T

By Debbie Woodince first laying eyes on the A-Class at the Geneva Motor Show last year I have been a fan and it seems I am not the only one. With a waiting list that has peaked at six months, the A-Class has been a resounding success for the German manufacturer. Our A180 CDI Blue Efficiency SE is the entry model and provides

official combined fuel economy of 74.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of 98g/km. Its 1.5-litre diesel engine produces 109bhp which definitely provides enough poke. When it comes to looks, the A-Class gets top marks. It has turned many heads

in my street and gained a few admirers among my friends and family.Its cabin is luxurious, with good quality materials, and the media system is easy

to understand and navigate. Its interior is roomy too, helped by the car's overall length of 4,292mm and a

wheelbase of 2,699mm which puts the A-Class in line with its competitors.You get the impression the engineers at Mercedes-Benz spent a great deal of

time getting this car exactly how they wanted it with no shortcuts and the end result is not just a good car, but a great car. With £5,000 of extra kit to get to grips with, I feel I have only just scratched the

surface. Luckily for me, the A-Class will be staying with us for six months. I had high expectations for this car when I was handed the keys and so far it has

definitely not let me down.

Easy to see why the A-Class has been such a resounding sales successMERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS

NEED TO KNOW n Six-month waiting list n Luxurious cabin with good quality materials

*Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

A180 CDI BLUE EFFICIENCY SE

The A180 offers official fuel economy of 74.3 mpg

S

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

COSTSP11D price £21,170BIK tax band (2013/14) 14%Annual BIK tax (20%) £593Class 1A NIC £409Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £7,575/36%Fuel cost (ppm) 8.78AFR (ppm) 13Running cost (4yr/80k) 29.29ppm

SPECEngine (cc) 1,461Power (bhp) 109Torque lb-ft 192CO2 (g/km) 98Fuel efficiency (mpg) 74.3Max speed (mph) 1180-62mph (sec) 11.3Test mpg 63.7Current mileage 4,307

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By Andrew Ryanhe ASX’s media system has been giving me flashbacks to a time when the manual of a car’s media system was essential reading.I've become so used to modern entertainment systems being

simple and intuitive to use that the relatively old-fashioned user-interface on the ASX's unit left me bamboozled for a while.

Firstly I couldn’t work out why, despite having connected my iPod through the supplied USB lead, the system would register the device, but I couldn’t hear any sound. Once sorted (my fault as I hadn’t realised I also needed to plug the supplied 3.5mm audio cable in), I then couldn’t work out how to select a track or podcast through it. And then I couldn’t save a radio station as a preset. I was getting really frustrated.However, most of my problems were caused by my impatience. All I

needed was 15 minutes with the instruction booklet to get it working exactly how I wanted it.Now that's sorted, there's little to fault the ASX for. It’s good looking and

pleasant to drive, with a decent balance between comfort and control. Cabin space is impressive for such a compact car, too, with plenty of space

for four adults and a useful 442-litre boot.Performance from the 114bhp 1.8-litre diesel engine is adequate, although

the current fuel economy of 48.1mpg is below the official figure of 54.3mpg.

It takes patience to unravel the intricacies of the ASX's media system

NEED TO KNOW n Media system less user-friendly than manyn Impressive interior space

COSTSP11D price £22,749BIK tax band 22%Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,001Class 1A NIC £691Annual VED £125RV (4yr/80k) £5,605/25%Fuel cost (ppm) 12.02ppmAFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 37.45ppm


3 1.8 DIESEL 4WD


MITSUBISHI ASX

T

Click here for previous ASX tests

ASX's media unit is not intuitive to use

OUR FLEE T

By Andrew Ryan’m pretty sure my friends and family are getting fed up with me whenever I give them a lift in the Yaris Hybrid. When it’s running on full-electric mode at the start of a journey, I can’t help but whistle a long, single note to emphasise the fact the engine isn’t running.I have no doubt that it’s annoying and it’s a habit I thought would have worn

off by now, but I haven’t got past the novelty yet. Of course, my friends aren’t really interested in the fact it can run for up to 1.2 miles on electric power alone, and they don’t share my enthusiasm for facts such as its CO2 emissions of 85g/km, or its official combined fuel economy of 79.3mpg.What they care more about is whether the car is roomy, refined, well built and

well equipped. It certainly fulfils all of those criteria. And, like me, they’re also big fans of the Yaris’s Touch & Go navigation and control interface – a £650 option. This provides satellite navigation and advanced Bluetooth features, plus the ability

to access Google Local Search and services such as live parking and fuel price information when linked to a compatible smartphone.It can also display fuel economy records and an animated graphic which shows

the energy flow between the engine, battery and wheels when the Yaris is moving.Less impressive, though, is my test fuel economy. The best I’ve achieved over a

full tank has been 58.9mpg. However, my daily journey consists mainly of A-roads and very little urban driving – not the best recipe to get the most out of a hybrid.

Roomy, refined and well built, but fuel economy is a disappointmentTOYOTA YARIS

NEED TO KNOW n Test fuel economy of 58.9mpg n Touch & Go media system impresses


HYBRID T SPIRIT

Yaris Hybrid can travel up to 1.2 miles on electric power alone

I

Click here for previous Yaris Hybrid tests

COSTSP11D price £17,790BIK tax band 10%Annual BIK tax (20%) £356Class 1A NIC £246Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £4,650/26%Fuel cost (ppm) 8.25AFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 29.02ppm

SPECEngine (cc) 1,497Power (bhp) 101Torque lb-ft 82 (engine only)CO2 (g/km) 85Fuel efficiency (mpg) 76.3Max speed (mph) 1030-62mph (sec) 11.8Test mpg 57.8Current mileage 11,260

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By John Maslenf you appreciate good engineering, then there is a lot to love about the Honda Civic.There are so many elements of our long-term hatchback which will

prompt an appreciative nod from anyone who knows the effort that has gone into achieving something that may seem effortless in everyday use.

For example, talking about doors may be for bores, but the way Honda doors shut is something that can only have been achieved through hundreds of hours of painstaking work.They don’t thud in a Germanic way, or twang like some European rivals

– they whoosh. There is something so effortless in the way they close that adds to the overall aura of quality that exudes from our car.The same is true of many touch points for the driver, such as the wonder-

fully direct gearbox, the instrument stalks, or the engine that thrums with an interesting note.The Civic is less successful when viewed from outside. The original brave

and bold design has bulked out somewhat, particularly at the front end.In some lights and from some angles it works successfully, but overall it

tends to make the front end look a bit cluttered and fussy.There is also the odd anomaly, such as the fuel cap release which is buried

beneath the dashboard completely out of sight above the bonnet release.It is still different though and I would rather it provoked debate rather than

melted into blandness in the car park.

Hatchback has plenty of features to impress engineering enthusiasts

NEED TO KNOW n Wonderfully direct gearboxn Test fuel economy of 62mpg

COSTSP11D price £21,720BIK tax band 13%Annual BIK tax (20%) £565Class 1A NIC £390Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £6,725/31%Fuel cost (ppm) 8.31ppmAFR (ppm) 12Running cost (4yr/80k) 30.3ppm


1.6 I-DTEC ES-T

SPECEngine (cc) 1,597Power (bhp) 120Torque (lb-ft) 221CO2 (g/km) 94Fuel efficiency (mpg) 78.5Max speed (mph) 1290-62mph (sec) 10.5Test mpg 62Current mileage 1,500

HONDA CIVIC

I

Click here for previous Civic tests

New and old: Civic has bulked up compared to its predecessor

OUR FLEE T

By Gareth Robertshe eye-catching V40 will give fleets and company car drivers food for thought in a highly-competitive sector.Volvo is pitching it against the likes of the Audi A3, the BMW 1 Series,

the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the Volkswagen Golf.If you were judging it on looks alone, the V40 would certainly give

the Mercedes-Benz a run for its money.However, looks aren’t everything and the V40 certainly isn’t just a pretty face. It’s

packed with the latest safety equipment to keep drivers safe. City Safe, Volvo's autonomous emergency braking system which automatically

applies the brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops, comes as standard.However, the 1.6-litre 115bhp diesel engine fails to deliver at low revs. That

perhaps explains the shortfall on the official combined 78.5mpg as you increase the revs to try and tease a bit more power in the lower gears. Still, test economy of 56.5mpg isn’t too shabby and previously colleagues

have comfortably achieved more than 60mpg on journeys when they’ve climbed behind the wheel. It also offers CO2 emissions of 94g/km which puts the car into the 13% benefit-

in-kind tax band, giving yet more reasons to seriously consider the V40 as the latest addition to your fleet.

Eye-catching hatchback gives small premium rivals food for thoughtVOLVO V40

NEED TO KNOW n CO2 emissions of 94g/km n Autonomous emergency braking fitted as standard


D2 SE NAV

The V40 D2 ES Nav has official combined fuel economy of 78.5mpg

T

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

COSTSP11D price £22,740BIK tax band (2013/14) 13%Annual BIK tax (20%) £591Class 1A NIC £408Annual VED £0RV (4yr/80k) £6,950/31%Fuel cost (ppm) 8.31AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 32.62ppm


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By Simon Harrishe market for integrated satellite navigation in vehicles has evolved enormously over the past 15 years.For a while the systems were an essential option on premium

cars, and could add up to £3,000 to the value of a used model.This was never the case on mainstream models, and as port-

able navigation systems became more affordable and widely available, the value of an integrated sat-nav in a vehicle reduced.Our Mazda6 has TomTom touch-screen navigation with additional controls

on the centre console should they be easier to use. Although effectively an option, our car has the designation Sport Nav, which means a specific value can be attached to a sat-nav equipped car at defleeting time.According to the Fleet News running cost tables, the addition of navigation

results in a £150 uplift in value at four years/80,000 miles, only a quarter of the cost of adding navigation, but it could perhaps save money in ensuring drivers are led directly to destinations, and alerted to traffic problems.I discovered one of the fun aspects of the system when exploring the

various settings as I discovered that English navigation instructions are avail-able with a variety of accents. For example, James is Australian and has a colourful turn of phrase.Upon reaching a destination he says: “You have reached your destination.

Windows up, grab those sunnies and don’t let the seagulls steal your chips.”Not a dealbreaker, but after a long and tedious journey it could help lift

the mood.

TomTom satellite navigation system adds convenience and fun

NEED TO KNOW n TomTom navigation a £600 optionn Choice of voices and accents


2.2 D 150 SPORT NAV

MAZDA6

Mazda6 2.2 D Sport Nav has CO2 emissions

of 108g/km

COSTSP11D price £25,540BIK tax band 16%Annual BIK tax (20%) £817Class 1A NIC £564Annual VED £0 then £30RV (4yr/80k) £6,075 / 24%Fuel cost (ppm) 9.47AFR (ppm) 18Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.8ppm

SPECEngine (cc) 2,191Power (bhp) 150Torque lb-ft 280CO2 (g/km) 108 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 67.3Max speed (mph) 1310-62mph (sec) 9.0Test mpg 52.4Current mileage 5,073

T

Click here for previous Mazda6 tests

OUR FLEE T

By Maurice Gloverne of the biggest challenges facing car designers is how to find more interior space in a fixed set of external dimensions. So it’s full marks to the team at Renault for its achievements with

the most practical version of the Megane – and doing it without compromising the car’s sleek profile.

Standing wide and relatively low, this is a good-looking vehicle with flowing lines. But style doesn’t encroach on usefulness in a design that makes it a versatile workhorse with lots of potential for fleet use. A surprising amount of room belies the fact that it is a C-segment car and

packing away small items like phones is no problem thanks to ample storage space that includes two ‘secret’ compartments tucked under the front mats. With the rear seats in place, the boot has a 524-litre volume, and this extends

to 1,600 litres when the backrests are folded in a single movement. Given that it is an estate, the Sport Tourer has good handling characteristics

irrespective of the weight it is carrying with power assistance that provides nicely weighted steering. And though it has a relatively modest output motor under its bonnet, strong

pulling power at low revs give it a sprightly performance. That makes another aspect of the latest dCi unit particularly significant. As the

mileage increases in our test, economy returns seem to improve, with consistent averages on the better side of 62mpg from the last few fill-ups.

Sleek profile masks economical estate car's load-lugging abilityRENAULT MEGANE

NEED TO KNOW n Test fuel economy of 62mpg n High level of refinement


SPORT TOURER 1.5DCI DYNAMIQUE

Megane Sport Tourer can carry 1,600 litres of luggage with its rear seats folded down

O

Click here for previous Megane tests



By Stephen Briershe Volkswagen Passat is proving to be a welcome addition to our fleet: it offers a comfortable ride on increasingly potholed roads, predictable and precise handling, a slick gear change and a stop-start system that engages effortlessly.The driving experience is trouble-free and that extends inwards

as well. The interior puts some premium rivals to shame with its eye-catching contrast of tactile plastics, cloth and metallic surfaces plus a clean, intuitive dashboard layout.Getting to grips with every function, from iPod docking to sat-nav program-

ming, takes no time – and certainly no reference has been made to the user manual.Overall the user experience is very good. True, the Ford Mondeo takes

the plaudits on pure driving enjoyment, but the Passat has the edge on interior quality, space, engine refinement, sound insulation (thicker glass and the windscreen has a thin layer of plastic sandwiched between the two panes to keep unwanted sounds out) and running costs.The only area we can’t report a total success is the automatic boot opening

system. Wafting a foot beneath the rear bumped should activate a sensor which opens the boot. However, my success rate of getting the boot to open is poor and certainly nothing like the demonstrations I’ve seen previously.

Saloon's trouble-free user experience makes it a welcome addition

NEED TO KNOW n Predictable and precise handlingn Interior puts some premium rivals to shame

COSTSP11D price £22,955BIK tax band 18%Annual BIK tax (20%) £826Class 1A NIC £570Annual VED £0 then £30RV (4yr/80k) £5,850/25%Fuel cost (ppm) 10.63AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.55ppm


2.0 TDI HIGHLINE BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY


VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

TPassat offers a comfortable ride

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OUR FLEE T

By Luke Nealhen you mention Audi to anybody, words like quality, well built, stylish and understated are frequently used and the all-new A3 lives up to all of these. The first thing that confirms this is the way a motorised

flatscreen rises from its minimalist dashboard when the ignition key is turned. It's super smooth and quiet; there is even a button that manually controls it and I spent longer than I should do making the screen go up and down into the dash just like a child would. The screen controls various systems via a knob located where you would

normally find a manually-operated handbrake (the A3’s is electric). Functions it controls include a phone and media player which can both be

connected wirelessly. It's these touches which helps make Audi a premium brand.However, a rust-covered wheel hub, visible through the spokes on one of the

rear wheels, was a surprise. I would have expected the factory coating to have lasted longer than nine months.

I am regularly achieving fuel economy in the low-50mpg on my daily commute, but that's still some way off the manufac-turer's official combined figure of 68.9mpg. It’s a decent figure, but not if you are expecting high-60s. I am, however, impressed

with the performance of the 147bhp 2.0TDI engine which is very responsive and has strong accelera-tion through the manual six-speed gearbox. I expect the three-door

A3’s fleet appeal will be limited by its lack of rear doors and the more practical five-door A3 Sportback will be more popular with fleets.

Motorised flatscreen hammers home hatchback's premium statusAUDI A3

NEED TO KNOW n Phone and media player can be connected wirelessly n Fuel economy falls short of official claimed figure


2.0 TDI SE

Rust has appeared on one of A3's

rear wheel hubs

W

Click here for previous A3 tests

COSTSP11D price £21,450BIK tax band 15%Annual BIK tax (20%) £644Class 1A NIC £444Annual VED £0 then £20RV (4yr/80k) £7,375 / 34%Fuel cost (ppm) 9.35AFR (ppm) 15Running cost (4yr/80k) 31.01ppm

SPECEngine (cc) 1,968Power (bhp) 147Torque lb-ft 236CO2 (g/km) 106 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 68Max speed (mph) 1340-62mph (sec) 8.3Test mpg 48.4Current mileage 8,797

By Sarah Toozehe first thing that struck me about the Kia Ceed when it joined our fleet last month was the amount of technology it packed in.Among the standard features are a seven-inch sat-nav screen

with European mapping, reversing sensors, reversing camera, cornering lights and electric folding door mirrors.

That wouldn’t be impressive if we were testing the range topping 4 Tech but our long termer is the 3 – two trim levels below the most expensive. What the 4 Tech adds is parallel park assist system with front, as well as

rear, parking sensors, xenon lights and a panoramic sunroof. This technology doesn’t come cheap – our test car has a P11D price of

£20,040 – but that’s competitive with other models in this sector. It’s worth noting that my previous test car – a Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI

Executive SE – didn’t have electric folding door mirrors or a reversing camera as standard despite its £28,000 price tag. It also feels like Kia has given thought to practicalities such as where the

driver might want to plug in an iPod. A number of cars have the USB port in the glove box or in a storage compartment between the front seats, but in the Ceed it is in a convenient cubby hole, beneath the sat-nav. The new Ceed is roomier than its predecessor with 21mm more rear

legroom and 12mm more headroom. It has a generous 380-litre boot.

In-car technology level is impressive for a mid-range model

NEED TO KNOW n Seven-inch sat-nav screen is standardn 380-litre boot



1.6 CRDI 3 ECODYNAMICS

SPECEngine (cc) 1,582Power (bhp) 126Torque (lb-ft) 260CO2 (g/km) 100Fuel efficiency (mpg) 74.3Max speed (mph) 1220-62mph (sec) 11.5Test mpg 50.1Current mileage 1,776

KIA CEED

TThe new Ceed is roomier than its predecessor

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BIK TA X

An easy guide to how the new company car tax bands will affect your employees over the next few years

BUDGET: benefit-in-kind CO2 bands by tax year

From April 2015, two new benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bands will be introduced at 0-50g/km of CO2 and 51-75g/km of CO2. The appropriate percentage of the list price

subject to tax for the 0-50g/km band will be 5% in 2015-16 and 7% in 2016-17.The percentage for the 51-75g/km band will

be 9% in 2015-16 and 11% in 2016-17.In 2017-18 there will be a three percentage

point differential between the 0-50g/km and 51-75g/km bands, and between the 51-75g/km and 76-94g/km band.In 2018-19 and 2019-20 there will be a

two percentage point differential between the 0-50g/km and 51-75g/km bands and between the 51-75g/km and 76-94g/km bands.BIK rates will be announced three years in

advance and the Government will review incentives for ultra-low emission vehicles at Budget 2016, to inform decisions from 2020-21 onwards. n Click here for more on Budget 2013

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*Add 3% for diesels up to a maximum of 35% in 2013/14 and 2014/15. Add 3% for diesels up to a maximum of 37% in 2015/16 and from 2016/17 onwards the diesel supplement is scrapped.

% of P11D 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17price* CO2 (g/km) CO2 (g/km) CO2 (g/km) CO2 (g/km)

0 0 0 - -5 1-75 1-75 0-50 -7 - - - 0-509 - - 51-75 -10 76-94 - - -11 95-99 76-94 - 51-7512 100-104 95-99 - -13 105-109 100-104 76-94 -14 110-114 105-109 95-99 -15 115-119 110-114 100-104 76-9416 120-124 115-119 105-109 95-9917 125-129 120-124 110-114 100-10418 130-134 125-129 115-119 105-10919 135-139 130-134 120-124 110-11420 140-144 135-139 125-129 115-11921 145-149 140-144 130-134 120-12422 150-154 145-149 135-139 125-12923 155-159 150-154 140-144 130-13424 160-164 155-159 145-149 135-13925 165-169 160-164 150-154 140-14426 170-174 165-169 155-159 145-14927 175-179 170-174 160-164 150-15428 180-184 175-179 165-169 155-15929 185-189 180-184 170-174 160-16430 190-194 185-189 175-179 165-16931 195-199 190-194 180-184 170-17432 200-204 195-199 185-189 175-17933 205-209 200-204 190-194 180-18434 210-214 205-209 195-199 185-18935 215 and 210 and 200-204 190-194 above above 36 205-209 195-19937 210 and 200 and above above

CARMAKER NE WS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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CLICK HERE FOR MOREToyota and Lexus global hybrid sales top five millionToyota plans to introduce 18 new hybrids and a fuel cell vehicle within the next two years, with more than five million Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles sold globally since 1997.Prius has gone on to become one of the world's

best-selling cars and it features today among 20 different hybrids – including the first Toyota plug-in hybrid – sold by Toyota Motor Corporation in around 80 countries and regions.

Fuel economy figures in the dockManufacturers will be prevented from making misleading claims about fuel consumption after a complaint was upheld against Audi.The German carmaker had advertised its A3 TDI

as “the most fuel efficient Audi ever” achieving “a quite remarkable 68.9mpg on a combined cycle”.However, the Advertising Standards Authority

(ASA) received a complaint from somebody who had bought the car and had been unable to achieve that fuel consumption.Audi told the ASA that fuel consumption figures

did not give an accurate representation of the actual economy which could be expected from any particular vehicle and were provided only to enable comparisons between different vehicles or models.

CAP calls on Renault to end ‘battery not included’ approach to electric vehicles Independent automotive information experts CAP have called on Renault to "give electric cars a real chance" in the company car market.The call came as CAP reaffirmed its decision

not to forecast used values for Renault electric vehicles until the battery is included, rather than leased separately.The issue has again surfaced after it was

reported that benefit-in-kind tax rules for company car drivers will see the Renault Zoe's battery replacement cost added to the car's list price for P11D purposes.That situation was described by CAP as "another

nail in the coffin" of Renault electric vehicle prospects in the company car market under the manufacturer's current approach of treating the battery as a separate entity from the car itself.

Ford launches new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine

Ford has announced that a new 1.5-litre Ecoboost petrol engine will join its line-up of fuel-efficient powertrains.It benefits from Ecoboost

turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.The engine is a key strategic product for Ford, as

it works to meet the global demand for its four-cylinder Ecoboost engines.Ford now has capacity to build 1.6 million

Ecoboost engines annually. By the end of 2013, six plants across Europe, Asia and North America will be producing Ecoboost engines, triple the number that were doing so in 2010.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Best-ever March for Mercedes-Benz UKMercedes-Benz UK has achieved its best-ever registration performance, according to figures from the SMMT. March 2013 was the most successful in the company's history, with 18,655 new cars being registered. This is an increase of 15.4% over March 2012.March topped a record-breaking quarter for the

company, as 28,698 new cars were registered in Q1, 13.2% more than the first three months of last year. The quarterly result eclipses the previous record, set at the end of 2012, by 2,700 cars.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Off-roaders continue to top fastest-selling used cars leagueGlass’s has announced its league table of fastest-selling used cars, and this month sees the Lexus RX400h swooping in to re-take the top spot, followed closely by Land Rover’s Discovery 4.The top 10 currently shows four out of 10 models

are off-road vehicles, keeping 4x4s at the top of the charts for the third month running. The Lexus RX400h shows an average selling time

of 25.3 days, followed by the Discovery 4 at 26.0 days. The Hyundai Tucson is in third place, at 27.5 days.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

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MG unveils urban SUV at Shanghai Show The MG SUV concept car, MG CS, made its world première at the Shanghai Motor Show. It is the latest result of significant investment in

the brand by MG's owner, the SAIC Motor group, and is expected to expand the global reach of the MG brand.It has been penned by a design team led by MG's

global design director, Anthony Williams-Kenny.Design features include the headlights which have

a multi-faceted ‘shard' structure which refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form the MG's trademark octagon from the front.

BMW reveals X4 concept car BMW has unveiled the concept car that will become the X4 production model in 2014.The X4 concept works along similar lines to the

X6, which is a lower, sleeker version of the X5, but on a smaller scale by taking the X3 as its starting point.The production version of the X4 will be built

alongside the X5, X6 and X3 at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. It is expected to share engines with the X3 range.

DE-FLEE TING

By Gareth Robertsemand for ‘retail-ready' de-fleeted cars is still strong although the economic climate continues to bite, according to Manheim.The ex-fleet vehicle market remained

steady during March despite a spike in age and mileage. In fact, even with the rise to 52 months in age and the hike in average mileage of 2,186 miles, the average selling price dropped only by £106 or 1.5%.It was a similar story at BCA where fleet

and lease cars averaged £8,734 in March, a fall of £117 (1.3%) compared to February. However, year-on-year the fleet and lease

sector recorded a £939 (12%) uplift, while average age and mileage were virtu-ally static month-on-month, but down year-on-year.According to Manheim, March figures reported

a 4.2% increase in the average value of vehicles year-on-year. Meanwhile, Manheim's monthly measure, expressing

today's auction prices as a percentage of their original

Year-on-year values increase sharply despite age and mileage rising

'Retail-ready' cars in demandretail price, showed a slight dip in values, dropping by 1% to 35% during March.Average retained values of ex-fleet vehicles reached

an all-time high of 36% of their new price in February, but the small rise in vehicle age to 52 months and the

increased mileage have played their part in this decrease in value from February to March.Daren Wiseman, valuation services manager

at Manheim, said: “Ex-fleet vehicle values have continued to maintain an average value of 35% over the past 12 months, fuelled by strong average selling prices.“Fleet managers must ensure their remar-

keting supply chain is as efficient as possible. Getting cars retail-ready quickly and cost effectively will help them to realise best whole-sale values are reached at auction.”Looking at the performance of vehicle

segments in more detail, March saw selling prices drop in seven of the 10 niches covered in the Manheim report. Most significantly, compact executives decreased by

£812 or 9.8%, while supermini models fell by £378 or

Average fleet and lease used values 2012/2013

£8,734Average fleet and lease car prices at BCA in March

£106Average fall over

12 months in Manheim prices

D

BCA Manheim

£7,795

£6,427

£7,640

£6,712

£7,934

£6,634

£8,042

£6,669

£8,053

£6,620

£8,154

£6,504

£8,339

£6,706

£8,376

£6,981

£8,123

£6,413

£8,509

£6,617

£8,526

£6,752

£8,851

£6,821

£8,734

£6,715

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Latest market data from Manheim shows the chronic shortage in the volumes of commercial vehicles being sold at auction pushed the average price of LCVs to a record high of £4,417 in March.According to Manheim’s CV team, as the market

copes with a shortage of good quality vehicles, a clear understanding of what drives these headline numbers is essential, as it’s not good news for every van being offered for sale. Many LCV operators have kept vehicles in

service longer, meaning vans are coming to market both older and with a higher mileage, so it is becoming increasingly difficult to source good quality used LCV stock.Manheim is advising close scrutiny of

market data, specifically when it comes to the contribution made by each van segment. While headline age and mileage can best be

described as stable over the past 13 months, there are considerable volume swings in segment age categories month to month. It is at this level of detail that a true

understanding must be sought. Both car-derived vans and small panel vans

have seen their volume increase month-on-month, with car-derived vans jumping 3% in volume from February to March.

In the case of car-derived vans, Manheim has also seen a 10% increase in volume sold in the 36- to 48-month bracket. It is a combination of these two factors that has

driven their average selling price to an all-time high of £3,442.At BCA, the average March figure of £4,860 for

all LCVs was the highest on record for any month since it began reporting in 2005. Year-on-year, March 2013 was ahead by £633 or

14.9%, while average age rose slightly to 58.8 months and average mileage increased by more than 2,000 miles to 80,800 miles.BCA’s Duncan Ward said: “Values remained

strong in the run-up to Easter, as the combination of limited supply and good levels of demand in the remarketing sector saw prices rise for corporate stock and older dealer part-exchange vans. “LCV values have been universally strong

throughout the first quarter of this year and are significantly higher than for the same period last year. "The market has been even more competitive

over the past few weeks with good quality used vans routinely outperforming price guide expectations – often by a considerable amount.”

Used van values on the rise again

7.9% during the month. The largest increase in values was recorded by executive models, increasing by £1,097 or 9.4% during the month.Simon Henstock, BCA UK operations director, said:

“Cars requiring any significant degree of cosmetic work have been hit the hardest and need to be sensibly valued – or pre-sale smart prepared – to attract the buyers’ attention. In contrast, values for well-presented retail quality vehicles continue at often exceptional levels, outperforming price guide expectations by a considerable margin."

Van values at BCA hit a record high of £4,860 in March

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C O M I N G S O O N . . .

V A U X H A L L Z A F I R A T O U R E ROn sale: summer

The Zafira Tourer will not see any styling changes in 2013, but it will be the first Vauxhall to receive the new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, which will replace the 1.7-litre diesel across the manufacturer's entire range. When it goes on sale in the summer, the Zafira Tourer 1.6-litre turbodiesel will offer CO2 emissions of 109g/km. Economy figures are yet to be confirmed, but expect around 60mpg, with more to come from an Ecoflex model. The 1.6 turbodiesel engine will use a six-speed manual gearbox.

M I T S U B I S H IO U T L A N D E R

P H E V On sale: June

The Outlander PHEV is part of Mitsubishi’s Jump 2013 business plan and aims to make a range-extender version of the Outlander completely acceptable to buyers. The only noticeable difference to the conventionally-powered model is that it has five seats instead of seven. The 2.0-litre petrol engine works as a generator for the battery when the electric charge runs low.

FOR A FULL NE W CAR L AUNCH CALENDAR, CLICK HERE

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

C H E V R O L E T T R A X

On sale: May

The Trax sits below the Captiva in Chevrolet’s SUV hierarchy and shares most of its styling and its badges with the Vauxhall Mokka. This means a three-engine line-up starting with a 1.6-litre petrol with five-speed manual gearbox capable of 43.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 153g/km with help from standard start-stop technology.

The Renault Zoe will bring the electric car more into the reach of many buyers and fleet users. It has a starting price of £13,650, which includes the Government’s Plug-In Car Grant of £5,000. Buyers will have to factor in the cost of renting the battery pack – from £70 per month depending on miles covered – but the Zoe is still far cheaper than the likes of the Toyota Prius Plug-in or Nissan Leaf.

R E N A U L TZ O E

On sale: June

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